Salty Dog
A tart grapefruit-vodka highball defined by a salted rim.
Base spirit
Vodka
Style
Highball
Glassware
Highball glass
The Salty Dog is essentially a Greyhound served with a salted rim, which materially changes the flavor profile. The salt suppresses the grapefruit's natural bitterness, enhancing the perception of citrus sweetness without adding sugar. While originally a gin drink, the vodka variation became standard by the mid-20th century. Built over ice, it is a cooling, savory-tart highball ideal for hot weather.
Ingredients
Servings
- • 2 oz vodka
- • 4 oz fresh grapefruit juice
- • Coarse salt for rim
Did you know?
“The transition from the gin-based Salty Dog to vodka mirrors the broader shift in American tastes during the 1950s, as documented in period newspapers and menus.”
Source:Newspaper archives; Imbibe
Bartender's Note
Use coarse sea salt or kosher salt for the rim; table salt is too aggressive.
How to make the Salty Dog
- 1Rim a highball glass with coarse salt
- 2Fill the glass with ice
- 3Add vodka and grapefruit juice
- 4Stir gently to combine
- 5Garnish with a grapefruit slice
