A Grapefruit Salty Dog is such a fun and simple cocktail. So refreshing! Grapefruit Juice. Vodka. And salt. All coming together to make my new favorite Summer cocktail!

cocktail garnished with salted rim and slice of grapefruit

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Why you will love this recipe!

Quick and easy: It takes no more than 5 minutes to make up this cocktail, it’s so simple and very effective!
Simple ingredients: You only need 3 main ingredients and some salt and ice, you’ve got no excuses not to try this!
So refreshing: This is the perfect summer drink! It’s fresh, tangy and salty, and every sip is truly delicious!
Healthier: While I wouldn’t ever suggest that alcohol is healthy, this cocktail is low in calories and made with no added sugar.

Be sure to try my Salty Dog Sangria too!

sliced grape fruits, spoons of salt, and cocktails

cocktail with grapefruit slices around it

How to make a grapefruit salty dog cocktail

Be sure to scroll down for the full recipe!

Rim your glass with salt.
Fill with crushed ice.
Shake together the vodka and grapefruit juice.
Pour and enjoy!

close up of grapefruit salty dog on a table with ice

cocktail on table with grapefruits and flowers

Can you make it ahead of time?

This cocktail takes minutes to make, but if you are serving a crowd, you can definitely get ahead of things.

You can rim the glasses with salt ahead of time so that they are ready to go, and if you are hosting, you can shake together the vodka and grapefruit juice and keep it in a pitcher in the fridge. Just give it a stir before pouring.

How to garnish

Just like a margarita, the salt rim is key. Use a coarse sea salt that has large grains. When you take a sip you get a hint of salt with the tangy and sweet grapefruit juice. I like to add a slice of fresh grapefruit to the rim, and you can add a sprig of thyme or rosemary for a pop of color if you like.

Recipe Variations

Grapefruit juice is they key ingredient in a salty dog cocktail, but you can totally make this with another fruit juice like orange or pineapple. Vodka is the commonly used spirit, but gin will work well too.

cocktails on a table with crushed ice on tables

Recipe Notes and Tips

If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, you can shake the grapefruit and vodka together in a sealable mason jar.
Shaking helps to blend the vodka and juice together and is preferable over stirring.
Use fresh grapefruit juice for the best flavor.

This grapefruit salty dog is hands down one of my favorite summer cocktails. So quick and easy to make, it’s one delicious way to cool down!

More Easy Cocktails

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Holly Albright

Posted on 4/20/2016

Love a good salty dog! Beautiful pictures & I love the glasses…can you tell me what kind they are? Thanks!

susie gall

Posted on 6/4/2015

Once again, stunning photos. These are truly some of my faves and the drink sounds delicious. Great job!!

Becky Hardin

Posted on 6/5/2015

Reply to susie gall

Thanks mom!

Posted on 6/3/2015

The pictures are lovely.
Clarification: A Salty Dog is a Greyhound with salt around the rim. With that said, the juice base is grapefruit. However, the liquor may change from vodka to gin with vodka being predominant. As a former bartender I needed to comment.
On a funny note, years ago a friend started bartending and reached out while working asking “What’s a Greyhound?” I explained, but had to ask how she responded to the customer. Fast thinking as ever she said “I told him the bus didn’t stop here.”