Super refreshing, tart, and just a little sweet. This Grilled Grapefruit Greyhound Cocktail is easy to make with simple ingredients. It is perfect as an afternoon refresher or a before-dinner cocktail served over ice.
Whether you prefer gin or vodka, this wonderful drink will have you asking for another! With just a little preparation, you can serve this wonderfully flavourful sipper at happy hour to all your friend and family!
HELPFUL ITEMS FOR THIS RECIPE
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Old Fashioned Cocktail Glasses (Set of 6)
When we have company over for dinner, we always have a specialty cocktail on the menu for our guests. It’s also a good idea to have a non-alcoholic drink option for those who prefer it, children, and of course, the designated driver.
What’s the difference between a salty dog and a greyhound?
The only difference between a greyhound and a salty dog is actually the salt. When you serve a salty dog, it has a salted rim on the glass. When you serve a greyhound, you don’t salt the rim of the glass. Otherwise, the drinks are identical ingredients-wise.
Ingredients
To create this wonderful cocktail all you need are a few simple ingredients.
- Grapefruits
- Vodka or gin
- Rosemary simple syrup
- Rosemary sprigs
Making cocktails at home is simple and requires only a few pieces of equipment to make cocktails that are bar or restaurant quality. If you have a cocktail shaker set, shot glass for measuring, and some ice, you are well on your way to serving some of the best cocktails you can find anywhere! Like this grilled grapefruit greyhound cocktail.
Start out by making the simple syrup. The recipe is easy. In a small saucepan, add water and sugar. Bring to a boil and allow to simmer, stirring occasionally until the sugar is completely dissolved. Remove the pan from the heat and add the sprigs of rosemary.
Allow the simple syrup to steep with the rosemary to let the flavor meld into the simple syrup. You can set this aside for now. The simple syrup will keep in the refrigerator for 30 days. Next, you need to start to grill your grapefruit. The first step cut them in half.
Preheat your grill to high. Once it is heated, place the cut grapefruit on the grill cut side down. You want to see a nice char on the grapefruit. Remove from the heat and allow to cool until you can comfortably handle the grapefruit halves. Note try to use the largest grapefruits you can find, so you get 5 ounces of juice from them.
Using a juicer, squeeze the juice from the grilled grapefruit halves. You can pick out any seeds that end up in the juice. If you prefer no pulp, feel free to pour the juice through a fine strainer after you juice the grapefruit.
Pour a cup of ice cubes into your cocktail shaker. Then add the fresh grapefruit juice, vodka or gin, and simple syrup. Place the top glass on the metal shaker and shake it over your shoulder for about 30 seconds. Until the shaker is frosty on the outside. Pour into a cocktail glass over ice and garnish with a rosemary sprig.
Variations for a Greyhound cocktail?
As with most recipes, you can vary the ingredients a little in your grilled grapefruit greyhound cocktail. I prefer vodka in my greyhound, but some people might prefer gin. Don’t get me wrong, I love my gin martinis!
You can use pink grapefruits or ruby red grapefruits, whichever happens to be in season at the time. You may find that your grapefruit is not as sweet as you would like it to be. Don’t fret. All you have to do is add a little more simple syrup to the shaker. Problem solved!
You should always use a good quality brand of alcohol when you are mixing drinks. It doesn’t have to be top of the line but don’t use a bargain basement vodka or gin. If the quality of the mix is poor, the end product of your cocktail will not taste as you would like it to.
Pin it HERE!
Pin it HERE!
Grilled Grapefruit Greyhound Cocktail
Ingredients
Grilled Grapefruit Greyhound Cocktail
- 2 Large Grapefruits to yield 5 oz juice
- 3 oz Vodka
- .5 oz Rosemary Simple Syrup
- Rosemary Sprigs to Garnish
Rosemary Simple Syrup:
- ⅓ Cup Water
- ⅓ Cup Cane Sugar or white sugar
- 3 Sprigs Rosemary
Instructions
- Make the Rosemary Simple Syrup: In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water. Cook over medium heat for 3 minutes until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and add the sprigs of rosemary. Let steep for 20 minutes to let the rosemary flavors meld. Remove the rosemary and transfer to a heat-proof container. Set aside.
- Preheat your grill to high heat.
- Slice the grapefruits in half and transfer them to the grill cut side down. Using direct heat, grill for 3 minutes, then remove and set aside to cool. You want nicely charred edges and grill marks on the fruit.
- Once the grapefruits are cool enough to handle, squeeze the juice out. Use a strainer to avoid pulp and seeds.
- In a cocktail shaker, add 5 oz of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, 3 oz vodka, .5 oz Rosemary Simple Syrup, and ice. Shake for 30 seconds until the shaker is frosty on the outside. To avoid any pulp, double strain the cocktail over ice. Garnish with a rosemary sprig, then enjoy!
Loved it! Great for batch cocktails as well!