Just a quick post this week all about a cocktail that I have only just made recently. My friend who lives and works in China introduced me to them last Summer. It’s called a Salty Dog and is traditionally made with gin but vodka is sometimes used. I prefer it with gin as it has a lot more flavour and if you pick a nice floral or spicy gin it really comes through and compliments the tang of the grapefruit juice. It’s called a salty dog due to the glass having a salt rim, you can leave this out if you prefer but if you do it becomes a Greyhound.
Ingredients
1 measure (35ml) of gin or vodka
3 measures (110ml) of grapefruit juice
ice
Lemon or grapefruit wedge
salt (for rimming)
Grapefruit wedge (for garnish)
Method
Start by rimming the glass. Place a couple of tablespoons of salt in a dish or shallow bowl. Take a piece of grapefruit or lemon and run it around the rim of the glass, then turn the glass over at a forty-five degree angle and turn it so you start to coat the edge of the glass. Be sure that only the top and outside edge gets coated in salt. If you put the salt on the inside of the glass the salt crystals could fall into the drink and make it salty.
In a cocktail shaker add a handful of ice, the gin and the grapefruit juice and shake well until the shaker has frosted up, this is a sign that the drink is ice cold. Strain and pour into the glass and garnish with a grapefruit slice if using. Drink and enjoy.