A Tart and Refreshing Grapefruit Cocktail

Who says that a good cocktail needs to be complicated? Or that a good cocktail needs to be made at a bar? This Greyhound Cocktail is as simple as it gets and you can make it at home in a matter of minutes.

I’ve told you all before about how much I love a good grapefruit cocktail. I’ve shared with you my tried-and-true Paloma and Epic Salty Dog. And now I’m going to add this deliciously tart and tangy Greyhound Cocktail to that list!

You just need three ingredients and that’s it. This grapefruit and vodka cocktail has fresh fruit juice, high-quality vodka, and a splash of bubbly sparkling water. Shake it up, give it a pour, and you’re good to go. Plus, you can even make it ahead of time, too! So it’s great to serve at a party. Let’s get shaking, friends!

a pale pink beverage known as a greyhiound cocktail in a lowball glass with grapefruit wedge and fresh herb garnish

Why is it Called a Greyhound?

I love when a cocktail comes with a story behind the name! The name of this cocktail came from the restaurant that it originated in – Post House restaurants, which were popular stops in Greyhound bus terminals.

While it may have been made with other spirits like gin, the final version ended up being with vodka, and Harper’s Magazine formally named it the Greyhound Cocktail in 1945.

What is the Difference Between a Paloma and a Greyhound?

A Paloma is made with tequila instead of vodka. It has a margarita-type flavor profile but is less sweet, but just as refreshing. It’s super quick to make and my version has a spicy Tajin seasoning to give it a bit of a twist.

What is the Difference Between a Salty Dog and a Greyhound?

A Salty Dog is another one of my favorite grapefruit cocktails. It’s very similar to a Greyhound, but lime juice is added and, of course, a salted rim. It’s slightly sweet and tart with a salty finish. You can also make Salty Dog with gin as another variation.

a display of cocktail making ingredients to make a greyhound which includes grapefruit juice, fresh grapefruit, and a cocktail shaker

Recipe Ingredients

You just need three things to make this cocktail! This is what I love most about this recipe. I can make it whenever I want because the ingredients are usually always on hand.

Fresh Grapefruit Juice: I highly recommend using freshly squeezed grapefruit juice for this recipe. It’s best to strain any seeds and pulp so that it’s nice and smooth. If you need to buy bottled juice, find sugar-free and no-pulp grapefruit juice.
Vodka: Sometimes this cocktail is called a “Tito’s Greyhound” and with good reason. It’s a great vodka choice for this drink. I recommend buying high-quality vodka like Tito’s for this recipe and other cocktail recipes with few ingredients.
Sparkling Grapefruit Water: I love adding a little bubbly to my cocktails! You can use plain seltzer, too. You can also omit it if you don’t want the drink to have a little fizz.

cut up grapefruits with a juicer on a cutting board

How to Make a Greyhound Cocktail

The steps for making this drink are below:

First, combine the fresh grapefruit juice and vodka in a cocktail shaker. Add some ice and shake it until the cocktail shaker is frosty and very cold.

pouring a greyhound cocktail which is fresh grapefruit juice and vodka

pouring sparkling water into a low ball glass that has grapefruit juice in it and ice

Then strain the cocktail into a glass. I like to serve this drink over ice, but you don’t have to!

Add the sparkling water last. And then you can also add a garnish like fresh rosemary or thyme sprig and, of course, a grapefruit wedge.

a small karafe of fresh grapefruit juice next to fresh herbs and grapefruit wedge

Cocktail Variations

Here are some of my favorite ways to mix up this cocktail recipe. It’s fun to add different ingredients to change up the flavor and look of the drink.

Add a salted rim: And then you have a Salty Dog Cocktail. It’s still very citrusy with a little salty kick to balance it out.
If you’re not into vodka: Try a Paloma instead. It has a very similar flavor profile but uses tequila, not vodka.
Pour in a splash of cranberry: Omit a little bit of the grapefruit and add a little bit of cranberry with the sparkling water at the end. It has a little sunrise effect in the glass and the colors are so pretty!
Add a little sweetness: You can add a drizzle of simple syrup, agave, maple syrup, or honey to make the cocktail sweeter and cut the bitterness of the grapefruit.
Use flavor-infused vodka: Try your favorite infused vodka in the cocktail like grapefruit, orange, or lime.

greyhound cocktail made with grapefruit juice and sparking water in a low ball glass with a cocktail shaker behind it

What Goes with a Greyhound Cocktail

Here are some of my favorite foods to serve with this cocktail.

Salads: I like to serve salads with ingredients that have some savory and rich flavors to balance out the tart grapefruit of this cocktail. My Arugula Salad with Roasted Grapes and Summer Prosciutto and Melon Salad are two great examples to try.
Cheese and Charcuterie Boards: An amazing cheeseboard is always a great pairing with this cocktail. I also have a lot of great ideas on how to make the best charcuterie boards. They’re simple, beautiful, and a great happy-hour snack!
Brunch Ideas: This is the perfect brunch cocktail and you better believe I have some great brunch recipe suggestions! My favorites include my Veggie-Loaded Breakfast Casserole, Overnight Breakfast Enchiladas, and Coffee Cake.

Can I Make This for a Crowd?

A Greyhound is a great cocktail to make when you’re having a party and serving friends. I highly recommend squeezing a bunch of grapefruit juice ahead of time and then mixing it with the vodka. You can store a pitcher or container of the mixed drink in the fridge for a few hours before serving.

Then, when you’re ready to serve, add a splash of sparkling water to each Greyhound Cocktail. You don’t want to add that ahead of time or the drink will lose all the fun dizziness before it even hits the glass.