Salty Dog

For those of you who love a classic margarita or greyhound cocktail, here’s a mash-up that combines the best of both: the salty dog. This cocktail was reported to be created in the 1920s by adding a salted rim to a greyhound to make those who found the grapefruit in a greyhound too bitter more palatable. Originally made with gin, vodka is now a popular option in salty dogs. I’m a huge grapefruit fan, so a sweet-tart-bitter salty dog is right up my alley (as is the fun name). I’ve added it to my list of refreshing drinks to sip on all summer — especially because it has only two key ingredients and doesn’t require a cocktail shaker or straining.

• It’s a refreshing blend of sweet, bitter, and tart. Freshly squeezed grapefruit juice makes up the base of this cocktail, adding a balanced combo of sweetness, bitterness, and tang.
• You only need 2 ingredients. Assuming you have kosher salt and ice, all you need is a pink grapefruit and vodka or gin to make a salty dog.

• Pink grapefruit. Choose a ruby red grapefruit for its vibrant pink hue (you’ll need a whole grapefruit for each cocktail). A small slice of the grapefruit moistens the rim of the glass so the salt will stick, and the rest of the grapefruit for its juice. 
• Gin or vodka. While gin is the traditional spirit in a salty dog, more neutral-tasting vodka is now a modern-day substitute for those who want a less herbaceous cocktail.
• Kosher salt. The kosher salt around the rim of the glass is what makes a salty dog salty, so don’t forget this key ingredient. I like the size and texture of Diamond Crystal kosher salt, whose salt grains aren’t too big or too small.

1. Salt the rim. Use a slice of grapefruit to moisten the rim of the glass, then dip the glass into a plate of kosher salt.
2. Juice the grapefruit. Juice the rest of the grapefruit until you have 4 ounces. If there’s a lot of pulp in the juice, you can strain out the pulp if you’d like.
3. Shake the cocktail. Shake the juice with ice and gin or vodka, then strain into the glass over fresh ice. If you’d like the cocktail a touch sweeter, add simple syrup to taste. Garnish with the grapefruit slice.

• Grapefruit. If you can’t find red grapefruit, you can use a white grapefruit instead. The cocktail won’t have its signature rosy color, and white grapefruits might be a bit tarter, but you can just add some simple syrup to taste. While freshly squeezed grapefruit juice is most vibrant in flavor, you can substitute a good-quality store-bought grapefruit juice instead (choose one that does not have added sugar).
• Liquor. Gin is more floral and the more traditional choice in a salty dog, but you can use vodka, which is more neutral, instead.

Juicing a grapefruit to get four ounces takes longer than juicing a lemon or lime, so you can juice it earlier in the day and keep in the refrigerator until ready to make the salty dog.

While both a salty dog and greyhound cocktail have grapefruit juice, a salty dog has a salted rim like a margarita. Both cocktails can be made with gin or vodka.

• Grapefruit Gin Fizz
• Lady Edith
• Classic Paloma
• Grapefruit Mimosas
• Hemingway Daiquiri