Greyhound Cocktail
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The Greyhound Cocktail is cold, crisp, and bracing in the best way. Gin and grapefruit juice, nothing more, nothing less. It’s tart, slightly bitter, and incredibly refreshing… the kind of cocktail that wakes up your palate without knocking you over. This is a drink that knows exactly what it’s doing. Simple, sharp, and unapologetically classic.
Table of Contents
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS GREYHOUND COCKTAIL RECIPE
- Two ingredients and perfectly balanced
- Clean, refreshing, and not sweet
- Fast to make… no shaking required
- Easy to adjust to your taste
- A true old-school cocktail
Greyhound Cocktail
This is not a fussy drink. You pour it. You stir it. You drink it.
Grapefruit does all the talking here. The gin just shows up and behaves. And when both are good? The whole thing clicks.
This Greyhound cocktail recipe is the one you make when you want something cold and sharp, not cute. No garnish gymnastics. No syrupy nonsense. No trip to the store for a special liqueur.
It’s simple on purpose. And that’s why it works.
Grapefruit too tart for your taste buds? Try a Gin Daisy or Gin Fizz instead! While both are made with fresh lemon juice, they include simple syrup or grenadine for a touch of sweetness.
INGREDIENT NOTES
- Gin: A clean, classic London dry works best here. Nothing floral-heavy.
- Grapefruit Juice: Fresh-squeezed is brightest, but good refrigerated juice is fine.
- Ice: Fresh ice keeps the bitterness clean instead of muddy.
- Lime Garnish: Optional, but adds aroma and a little extra zip.
CHAD’S RULE OF THUMB
If the gin tastes good over ice with grapefruit juice and nothing else, it’ll make a great Greyhound. If it doesn’t, the garnish won’t fix it.
SOLID, NO-ARGUMENT PICKS
These gins are clean, widely available, and behave exactly how you want in a Greyhound cocktail.
- Beefeater: Dry, classic, and juniper-forward. A perfect match for grapefruit.
- Tanqueray: Bold, crisp, and cuts cleanly through the juice.
- Bombay Sapphire: Slightly softer, good if you want a smoother finish.
These give you a Greyhound that tastes exactly like it should.
STEP-UP OPTIONS (CONNOISSEUR APPROVED)
If you want more character without overpowering the drink…
- Plymouth Gin: Rounder, slightly earthier, very balanced.
- Sipsmith London Dry: Clean with subtle citrus notes that play well here.
- Hendrick’s: Works if you like a softer, floral edge. Not traditional, but solid.
These keep the drink familiar, just more refined.
VARIATIONS
Salty Dog: Salt the rim (use lime juice) before building the drink.
Vodka Greyhound: Swap gin with vodka for a softer profile.
Extra Tart: Add a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
Low ABV: Use less gin and more juice.
Herb-Forward: Add a splash of lavender or rosemary syrup.
Chilled Glass: Freeze the glass for extra bite.
WHEN TO SERVE IT
- Before dinner, when you want something sharp
- Warm-weather afternoons
- Casual cocktail hour
- Brunch when mimosas feel too sweet
- Anytime you want “a drink,” not a production
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
- Add a lime garnish or a sprig of rosemary
- Great with salty snacks or nuts
- Pair this Greyhound cocktail with light seafood or salads
- Ideal for brunch, early evening, or pre-dinner drinks
- Serve ice-cold, always
GREYHOUND DRINK RECIPE FAQ
No. It’s tart and slightly bitter.
While you can technically batch this Greyhound drink recipe for parties, it tastes best when it’s built fresh over ice.
You can make a Greyhound cocktail with gin or vodka and grapefruit juice, though the classic Greyhound recipe calls for gin. Vodka began to replace it as it became more popular and sometimes cheaper.
A Greyhound cocktail is made with freshly squeezed grapefruit juice and gin, while a Paloma combines tequila with lime juice and grapefruit-flavored soda.
This Greyhound cocktail recipe delivers because it’s honest.
Gin brings alcohol and structure. Grapefruit brings acid and bitterness. Ice controls dilution so the drink stays crisp instead of harsh.
Stirring (not shaking) keeps the texture clean and the bitterness from getting aggressive.
There’s nowhere to hide here. If the gin is sloppy or the juice is flat, you’ll taste it immediately.
When it’s built right, it’s sharp, refreshing, and incredibly drinkable. That’s the point.
CHAD’S PRO TIPS
- Choose a gin you already like. It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive.
- Fresh juice gives the brightest flavor, but bottled (high-quality) works in a pinch.
- Extra chilled = extra tasty. Freeze your glasses and use plenty of ice. You can even pre-chill the gin and grapefruit juice!
- Use the right barware. A rocks glass keeps things cold without over-diluting.
- Add a twist with garnishes or a salted rim.
TOOLS NEEDED
- Rocks Glass: Keeps this drink cold without overdoing dilution
- Bar Spoon or Long Spoon: A gentle stir is all you need
- Jigger or Measuring Cup: Balance matters in this Greyhound recipe.
- Citrus Knife: For a clean garnish cut.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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TL;DR (Too Long, Didn’t Read) THE QUICK VERSION
- Gin and grapefruit, that’s it
- Stir, don’t shake
- Fresh juice matters
- Clean gin works best
- Tart, not sweet
- Best made fresh
- Classic for a reason
Greyhound Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup ice
- 1 1/2 ounces gin
- 5 ounces grapefruit juice
- 1 lime slice, for garnish
Instructions
- BUILD: Add ½ cup ice to a rocks glass. Pour in 1 ½ ounces gin and 5 ounces grapefruit juice.
- STIR: Stir with a bar spoon for about 10 seconds, until well chilled.
- GARNISH: Add 1 lime slice and serve immediately.
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published August 2021, updated and republished February 2026
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We’re Donna and Chad, the dream team behind The Slow Roasted Italian. Our focus is on taking complicated OUT of the kitchen. Life is busy enough, making meals should be fast and easy, to help make your life as simple as possible. Read More >>
Very refreshing taste, will be great for summer.