This Grapefruit Basil Greyhound Cocktail Is The Perfect Summer Drink
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Today we’re sharing one of our favorite light summer cocktails, perfect for outdoor dinner parties or sipping poolside. The traditional greyhound cocktail recipe features either vodka or gin, paired with fresh grapefruit juice. While there are plenty of greyhound drink variations, we love creating healthier cocktails, so this features finely chopped fresh basil as well as sparkling water to give it a refreshing fizz.
The recipe for the grapefruit basil greyhound summer cocktail is amazingly simple! See our steps below.
Why is it called a greyhound?
One of the first mentions of this grapefruit cocktail is mentioned in 1930.in bartender Harry Craddock’s Savoy Cocktail Book. Harper’s magazine again mentioned the cocktail in 1945 after the cocktail became a popular drink in the restaurant located in many Greyhound bus terminals.
What You Need to Make a Grapefruit Basil Greyhound
Vodka: An easy staple ingredient to any homemade cocktail
Grapefruit juice: The staple of this recipe (of course!) adds a tart, yet sweet taste to the recipe
Basil: For a light, fragrant and delicate upgrade to this cocktail
Honey: To add a bit of sweetness
Lime juice: To add a bit of citrus for balance
Sparkling water: Adds a bit of fizz to round out the drink
Easy Ingredient Substitutions
Pick your favorite spirit. If you’re not a fan of vodka, substitute gin or even tequila into this cocktail!
Change the juice. Yes, this is a grapefruit greyhound, but you could easily substitute pineapple or orange juice.
Switch your sweetener. Vegan? Switch out the honey for agave nectar or simple syrup.
How to Make a Grapefruit Basil Cocktail
Rim the glass. Rim the glass with grapefruit or lime and press the rim face down into sugar or salt. Fill with ice.
Get ready to shake. Fill a large shaker with ice. Combine vodka, basil, grapefruit juice, and honey. Shake thoroughly and strain into glass.
Add some fizz. Top the drink off with a splash of sparkling water or Topo Chico.
Cocktail Variations
Paloma: Trade out tequila in this summer grapefruit cocktail recipe to make a healthier spin on the traditional paloma recipe.
Salty Dog: Salt the rim of the glass instead of adding sugar to convert this recipe into a salty dog cocktail.
Grapefruit vodka: If you prefer an even stronger grapefruit taste, you could also select a grapefruit flavored vodka, such as Deep Eddy Grapefruit Vodka.
Extra fizz: For an added kick to this summer cocktail recipe, substitute the sparkling water with champagne or rose for a flavorful twist on this classic recipe.
Non-Alcoholic: Simply leave out the gin or vodka to make this summer drink completely non-alcoholic!
Party Punch: Make this for your guests at your next house party but multiplying the recipe and adding in 1 melon ball scoop of lime sorbet for every guest!
Bar Tools for This Recipe:
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