The Greyhound drink is a cocktail that's been around since at least the 1930s. It's typically just a simple grapefruit juice and vodka combination. It's citrus season, and I am loving the grapefruit, especially the beautiful tart-sweet pink ones. When I had the idea for this cocktail, I had no idea that it had a name. I'm not very well versed in cocktails. I only knew that I wanted grapefruit juice to be in one.
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How The Greyhound Cocktail Got Its Name
It turns out, according to my research, that there is a reason for the name. At Greyhound Bus terminal restaurants (yes, that Greyhound) you could order a drink made up of canned grapefruit juice, sugar, and vodka. The drink became known as the Greyhound. Who knew? And here I was wondering about the connection between a fast running canine and a grapefruit drink. Anyway, mystery solved. Thanks, Wikipedia
No Canned Grapefruit Juice In This Drink
Canned grapefruit juice does not come into play in this refreshing, bubbly, citrusy grapefruit vodka cocktail. I made a virgin, as well as an alcohol-based version of this drink, and they were both delicious. So you can please teetotalers and kids with this drink, too. This beverage is so incredibly refreshing, that I wished it was summer. Well, really, I pretty much always wish it was summer.
But until then, this drink is a ray of citrus sunshine on a winter day in Canada. Although, this summer, I hope that grapefruit is in season somewhere, because I'll be making a big pitcher of these for patio refreshment.
Hello, Ginger Ale; The Perfect Bubbly For This Cocktail
For this cocktail, I knew that I wanted to use freshly squeezed pink grapefruit, and I also wanted fresh lime juice and ginger. Fresh ginger was my first thought, but then I would need to make a simple syrup to counter the tartness of the citrus. I really didn't want to do that, and besides, I also wanted bubbles. So ginger ale. Ginger ale was perfect. Just enough sweetness, lovely ginger flavour, and bubbles for days.
Want more cocktails? Try a Caprese Caesar Cocktail, Mango Mojito a Ginger Blueberry Martini, Spiked Iced Tea Rum Cocktail , a Vodka Watermelon Cocktail, or a Red Currant Mohito. Cheers!
Recipe
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Greyhound Drink- Grapefruit Vodka Cocktail
Ingredients
- Ice
- 6 ounces vodka
- Juice of one large pink grapefruit freshly squeezed
- Juice of one large lime freshly squeezed
- 2 355 ml cans ginger ale
Instructions
- Put ice cubes into 4 glasses
- Add 1.5 ounces vodka to each glass
- Divide grapefruit juice and lime juice between the four glasses
- Top up each glass with ginger ale
- Stir
- Garnish glasses with grapefruit and lime slices
Notes
Nutrition
Teresena
25 years ago I made a drink /grayhound,, but added grenadine. Named it the Pink Quiver. So good.
Haven't had one forever ago. . Friend Kim and I will get together and have one.
Colleen
Hi Teresena, I like the idea of adding grenadine, and I love your name for it. I hope you both enjoy your drink together. Cheers!
Christine
Sounds amazing! Can I use grapefruit infused vodka for this? I just got some and I’m looking for some cocktails to make with it.
Colleen
Hi Christine! I would definitely use grapefruit vodka! I think that would make it even better. Cheers!
Natalie
Looks so delicious and refreshing! The perfect summer drink that would be perfect for weekend brunch too!
Colleen
Hi Natalie, It is definitely refreshing and yummy, and I agree, perfect for weekend brunch!
Claudia Lamascolo
I might have to make thistoday for my brother, he loves grapefruit and vodka and will love this drink glad to find it!
Colleen
Claudia, if your brother loves grapefruit, this might be his new favorite cocktail. Enjoy!
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry
Such a refreshing sounding cocktail for the summer evenings. Haven't had one for a while so will have to make myself one!
Colleen
I hope you do, Bintu! You will love it 🙂
Julie Carlyle
Ohh yeah! This will be on my "must make list" I love cocktails that are fruit juice based. They are so much friendlier on the waistline and tummy!
Thanks for sharing
Julie
Colleen
Hi Julie! Yes, and grapefruit juice is not so sweet, which is a plus, too.
Dannii
I have never heard of this drink before but it looks super refreshing. Perfect for a summer party.
Colleen
Hi Dannii, yes this is so refreshing and great for summer sipping!
Justine | JustineCelina.com
What a beautiful cocktail, Colleen -- and I just happen to have the same glasses (from Homesense, right?!). I LOVE the way they photograph and the colour of this delicious greyhound totally pops here. Believe it or not, I've never had a greyhound (despite being a grapefruit lover) and this looks like the perfect introduction (pinned for future reference!). Thanks for sharing!
Colleen
Hi Justine! Thank you. Yes Homesense! I bought them months ago and I've been dying to use them in a photograph. They are such pretty glasses. Cheers to grapefruit! 🙂
Markus Mueller | Earth, Food, and Fire
Yummy! This looks good! I'm not one to go out and order fancy drinks but this one looked intriguing since I own two greyhounds (dogs not the buses)! Seeing as I usually have an excess of grapefruit in the fridge I'll have to give this a whirl!
Colleen
Markus, how cool that you have greyhound dogs! I'm a dog lover too. Sounds like this is the perfect drink for you. ?
Charlotte
These are SO beautiful! And those glasses are so cute - where are they from?
Colleen
Thanks Charlotte! The colour of the pink grapefruit is so pretty and cheerful, right? I found the glasses at HomeSense months ago, and this is the first time I've actually used them. 🙂
Nathalie
Hi, I love this drink :). I have to share that I was first introduced to this fabulous concotion by one of the band members from Pink Floyd. Yup, had the time of my life serving the gang for two consecutive evenings in a private «after the show» function. This drink brinks me back every single time. And the entire band entourage was super, super nice! Even David Gilmour.
Colleen
Nathalie, what a fabulous experience! So glad I was able to bring back such a great memory with this post. Cheers to Pink Floyd 🙂