People have been riding Greyhound buses since 1914. It appears our collective thirst for the Greyhound cocktail started around the same time. Coincidence? Possibly. After all, the drink’s origins stretch back to 1930, though it may have been concocted even earlier.
It’s a refreshing sipper that will transport you to a poolside location on a hot summer day—no ticket required. So sit back, relax, grab your Greyhound cocktail and enjoy the ride.
The greyhound cocktail recipe first cropped up in The Savoy Cocktail Book, a 1930 cookbook by Harry Craddock. It wasn’t until 1945 that the drink was officially called a “greyhound” in print, by Harper’s Magazine—supposedly because it was a popular cocktail at Greyhound bus terminals.
Today, it’s common to see both spirits employed in the Greyhound, so try both gin and vodka and see which you prefer. But be sure to choose a high-quality base spirit no matter which of the two spirits you select. With only two ingredients, there’s nowhere for a suboptimal vodka or gin to hide. The same goes for the juice.
The Greyhound’s first known mention arrived thanks to bartender and author Harry Craddock’s Savoy Cocktail Book, a classic tome that was published in 1930. In his book, Craddock instructed readers to make the no-frills Greyhound with gin, grapefruit and ice. Once vodka appeared in the United States and started to gain traction circa 1950, the spirit increasingly began to replace gin in the cocktail. The Greyhound bus terminal’s ubiquitous restaurant chain, Post House, served their version with vodka. And since the restaurants were frequented by travelers all over the country, the vodka-spiked drink propagated widely.
For an easy upgrade, rub the glass’ rim with some of the spent grapefruit, then dip the rim into a shallow saucer loaded with salt. The result is another canine-related classic, the Salty Dog. This simple variation can also be made with either gin or vodka, and the salted rim lends a savory quality to each electrolyte-laced sip.
Over the decades, many bars have used canned or pre-bottled grapefruit juice in their Greyhounds. This is an option, of course, but fresh juice gives the drink a more refreshing, complex kick. Similar to how a Screwdriver just tastes better with fresh OJ, using fresh grapefruit in the Greyhound results in a cocktail that is perfect for breakfast, brunch and midday pick-me-ups. Fortunately, one grapefruit yields a lot of juice, so you often only need one to make the cocktail.
What Is in a Greyhound Cocktail?
The Greyhound cocktail is a drink made with vodka or gin, pink grapefruit juice and a lemon wedge garnish.
How to make a Greyhound Cocktail – Prohibition Era Cocktails
FAQ
What is in a Greyhound cocktail?
What’s the difference between a greyhound and Paloma?
What’s the difference between a salty dog and a greyhound?
What is grapefruit juice and vodka called?
What is a greyhound cocktail?
Refreshingly tart and quick to make, the beauty of the greyhound cocktail lies in its simplicity. The popular mixed drink requires nothing more than vodka or gin and grapefruit juice. While it doesn’t appear on many bar menus, the greyhound is one that all bartenders know and a classic that everyone should try.
What was a greyhound cocktail made of?
A recipe for a similar cocktail with the name “Greyhound” appears in Harper’s Magazine in 1945 (volume 191, page 461) thus: “The cocktails were made of vodka, sugar, and canned grapefruit juice – a greyhound. This cocktail was served at Greyhound ‘s popular restaurant chain that was located at bus terminals, called ‘Post House’.”
When was a greyhound cocktail invented?
The greyhound cocktail recipe first cropped up in *The Savoy Cocktail Book*, a 1930 cookbook by Harry Craddock. It wasn’t until 1945 that the drink was officially called a “greyhound” in print, by *Harper’s Magazine*—supposedly because it was a popular cocktail at Greyhound bus terminals.
How do you make a greyhound cocktail?
The Greyhound is a classic cocktail, traditionally made with just two ingredients: grapefruit juice and either gin or vodka as the spirit. It is served in a variety of different glasses, so feel free to make yours in a rocks glass, a Collins glass, a highball glass, or a Martini glass.