The salty dog cocktail is a refreshing warm-weather drink that’s bright and citrusy. It’s a surprisingly delicious combination of gin or vodka, grapefruit juice, and salt. With just 3 ingredients, it’s easy to make and it’s ready in just 5 minutes!
The Salty Dog is one of those effortlessly great summer cocktails—bright, bracing, and perfectly balanced. Fresh grapefruit juice brings a bold, tangy bite, while the salted rim softens the citrus and makes each sip feel crisp and refreshing. It’s simple but surprisingly satisfying, especially on a hot day.
It couldn’t be easier to make: just pour grapefruit juice over ice, add your choice of vodka or gin, and serve. Vodka keeps the drink clean and sharp, while gin adds subtle herbal notes that pair beautifully with grapefruit. No shaking, no stirring, no fuss—just an easy, refreshing cocktail you’ll reach for all summer long.
Tip: While not traditional, a sprig of fresh thyme adds the most wonderful aroma.
How to make a salty dog pitcher
With a simple 2-1 ratio, this drink is easy to make in a pitcher for a crowd. Simply scale up the ingredients and use cups instead of ounces.
To make it, start by filling your pitcher with ice. Then add 4 cups of grapefruit juice and 2 cups of gin or vodka. Serve it with salt-rimmed glasses, grapefruit slices, and sprigs of fresh thyme or other herbs. Keep in mind that pitcher sizes vary, and this is for a standard 8-cup pitcher.
Salty Dog Cocktail Recipe
- Pin
Ingredients
- ▢ Salt (for the rim)
- ▢ 2 ounces gin or vodka (see notes)
- ▢ 4 ounces grapefruit juice
- ▢ Grapefruit wedge and fresh thyme (to serve)
Instructions
- Wet the rim of a glass by running a cut piece of grapefruit (or another citrus) along the rim then dip the wet rim into salt. Fill the glass with ice. Salt
- Pour the gin or vodka into the glass then top with grapefruit juice. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge and some fresh herbs – we especially like using thyme. 2 ounces gin or vodka, 4 ounces grapefruit juice, Grapefruit wedge and fresh thyme
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here .
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Salty Dog Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- Salt , for the rim
- 2 ounces gin or vodka , see notes
- 4 ounces grapefruit juice
- Grapefruit wedge and fresh thyme , to serve
Instructions
- Wet the rim of a glass by running a cut piece of grapefruit (or another citrus) along the rim then dip the wet rim into salt. Fill the glass with ice. Salt
- Pour the gin or vodka into the glass then top with grapefruit juice. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge and some fresh herbs - we especially like using thyme. 2 ounces gin or vodka, 4 ounces grapefruit juice, Grapefruit wedge and fresh thyme
