It’s about time for a cocktail, wouldn’t you say? I go wild when I see a mixed drink that is low in sugar without being boring and flavorless. These salty dogs are perfect for hot summer evenings on the patio. The grapefruit is tart, but in a good way, and the vodka is icy perfection.
why I am gaga for grapefruit
So seeing as how grapefruits are seasonally available right now, I just HAD to try my hand at making a salty dog. Apparently the kids had the same idea (minus the booze), because they found the grapefruits and hit them hard. I actually had to hide the last one so I could make these drinks today… the things we do.
Anyways, lets dive into the health benefits of grapefruits.
A long, long, long, many years ago, the grapefruit was discovered on the island of Barbados and was called “the forbidden fruit.” It was believed to have been an accidental crossing between the pomelo and sweet orange plant. Grapefruits have been studied extensively because of their antitumoral, antiseptic, diuretic, and cleansing properties. They have also been used for lymphatic drainage and as an antidepressant.
Say whaaat?
the health benefits of vodka
You know the old saying, a vodka a day keeps the doctor away? Oh, that’s a new one? Well, maybe I just made it up right now after sipping on my salty dog.
Let’s unravel the mysteries of this clear liquid, shall we?
Most vodka is produced from grains, like corn, but can also be made from whey, potatoes, milo, and many varieties of berries. To be considered true vodka, the purity must be very high. Vodka must be distilled to at least 190 proofs and then diluted back down somewhere in the ballpark of 75 proof to be sold to consumers.
Other than containing about 64 calories per ounce, vodka really doesn’t have much to it. No sugar, no sodium, no cholesterol, no fat. That being said, it also doesn’t have any real nutrients or minerals worth bragging about. While there are a few studies that think drinking alcohol may be good for your health, as I researched vodka I couldn’t find anything worth mentioning.
Maybe we should just focus on the grapefruit!
How to make a salty dog
There are just two simple ingredients needed to make salty dogs. First, a really nice vodka. Like, the best one that is still affordable. My budget decided that Tito’s was the nicest one for me, so that’s what I made these with today. I also bought a bottle of pure grapefruit juice from the grocery store. The brand I like is Knudsen. It’s an organic juice with no added sugar, so definitely speaking my language! I can also buy it at my local grocery store, which is a huge plus.
I used shot glasses to measure the liquid into 1 ½ ounce servings, but then I ended up eyeballing a smidge more to fill the glass up a little further. If I wanted to add some carbonation, I could have topped it off with a Topo Chico or any sparkling water.
The last supplies I used were small cocktail glasses and I rimmed them with a mix of salt and sugar. The glass was then filled with ice. Lots of ice. To be fancy, I used a wedge of grapefruit to garnish the glass.
That’s really all it takes to make a salty dog!
Variations to the original salty dog recipe
The first alternative recipe that I want to share is a nonalcoholic version. I actually drank one of these while I was shooting these photos and it did not disappoint! Instead of adding vodka to the grapefruit juice, substitute a can or bottle of sparkling water. If I were making this for my boys, I would use sugar to rim the glass instead of the sugar and salt mixture.
Mixing recipes up is so much fun! There are definitely no rules here. If grapefruit juice isn’t really the best flavor IYO, how about switching it up with orange juice? Did this just go from a salty dog to a screw driver? Absolutely, but I won’t tell if you don’t. Any juice can be substituted for the grapefruit juice.
Salty dog cocktail recipe
To see an instagram reel showing the process of making a salty dog, check it out here.
If you make this recipe, please leave a comment below! This provides helpful feedback to both me and other readers. For more delicious recipes from scratch and homesteading tips, follow me on instagram @NinnescahHomestead
Salty Dog
Equipment
- 1 ½ ounce shot glass
- cocktail glass
Ingredients
- 1 ½ Ounce Vodka
- 1 ½ Ounce Grapefruit juice
- 1 tablespoon Himalayan sea salt pink
- 1 tablespoon Sugar
- Ice
Instructions
- Mix the salt and sugar to dip the rim of a cocktail glass. Add the ice, vodka and grapefruit juice. Garnish with grapefruit wedges, if desired.
- This can also be made nonalcoholic by using sparkling water instead of vodka.
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