Salty Dog

Pro tips

• Use fresh grapefruit juice or a high-quality bottled version for better flavor; avoid juice cocktails or overly sweet brands.
• Chill your glass before serving to keep the drink cold longer without diluting it quickly.
• Salt the rim immediately before serving so it stays dry and adheres well to the glass.
• Serve immediately after mixing to preserve the bright, citrus character of the drink.

Substitutions

• Old Mr. Boston Dry Gin → any dry gin (Bols, Bombay Sapphire, or budget gin all work)
• Grapefruit juice → fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice for higher quality flavor

Storage & make-ahead

Cocktails are best consumed immediately. Pre-mixed gin and grapefruit juice can be chilled in a pitcher for up to 4 hours; salt the rim fresh before serving.

Equipment

cocktail glass or rocks glass · bar spoon or regular spoon for stirring · jigger or measuring cups for accuracy

Do I have to use Old Mr. Boston Dry Gin?

No. Any dry gin works well; use a mid-range or premium gin you enjoy. The quality of gin will affect the final flavor.

How do I salt the rim?

Wet the rim with lime juice or water, then dip it into kosher salt or coarse sea salt on a shallow plate, rotating to coat evenly.

Can I make this ahead?

Mix the gin and grapefruit juice in advance, but add ice and salt the rim just before serving to keep it fresh and the rim crisp.

What type of grapefruit juice should I use?

Fresh or high-quality bottled pink or white grapefruit juice works best. Avoid juice cocktails with added sugar.

Can I scale this recipe up for a batch?

Yes. Multiply both ingredients proportionally (2:4 ratio), chill in a pitcher, and serve over ice with salted glasses.