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The Salty Dog recipe is categorized as a highball cocktail. It is the combination of either gin or vodka and grapefruit juice over ice. The vodka version of the Salty Dog is an official cocktail recipe of the International Bartenders Association.

The ingredients for a Salty Dog are as follows:

1 1/2 ounces (either 1 shot or 6 counts) of Gin or Vodka
5 oz Grapefruit Juice

Salt
Ice

The Salty Dog is traditionally served in either a Collins glass or a Rocks glass. A Collins glass typically holds 8 fluid ounces. A Rocks glass holds between 5 and 10 fluid ounces.

Always ask your customer if she would prefer vodka or gin in her drink prior to mixing this recipe. Wet the rim of the glass and dip it in salt. Fill the glass with ice and set it aside. Combine the ice, liquor, and grapefruit juice in a martini tumbler. Shake the tumbler until you feel it turning cold in your hand. Then strain the mixture in to the glass of ice. You can garnish The Salty Dog with any citrus fruit or cherries.

There are several variations to this cocktail recipe. Some people know this drink as "The Greyhound". That usually means that they want the drink made with vodka and that they don't want salt on the rim. Some customers will specify a brand of vodka when ordering a Greyhound by saying something like "I would like an Absolut Greyhound" or "A Grey Goose Greyhound." Others will order a "Cherry Greyhound", which refers to the flavor of vodka you will be using to make their drinks.

If your customer requests "An Italian Greyhound" that means you should add half a shot of Campari Bitters to the tumbler. A "Fuzzy Greyhound" has 1/2 a shot of peach schnapps and club soda added to the tumbler mixture. A "Racing Greyhound" is mixed in the tumbler with at least half a can of Red Bull energy drink.

Other will order this drink as "The Salty Chihuahua." This means that the customer would like tequila used instead of gin or vodka when you mix up her drink.

When you add Midori Melon Liqueur to any drink, you are giving the recipe "Balls." Therefore, if a customer orders a "Salty Balls" from you that means you will add a shot of Midori Melon to the tumbler. Some bartenders also add orange juice to this recipe.

If your customer orders "a vodka and grapefruit juice" or "gin and grapefruit juice" ask her if she wants salt or sugar on the glass's rim. You should also ask her if she wants her drink "on the rocks" or "straight up", meaning with or without ice respectively. I have also had customers request that I serve their Salty Dogs in chilled martini or wine glasses with sugared rims. Do not put ice cubes in a martini or wine glass; it causes them to tip over.

The Salty Dog cocktail is an important recipe for bartenders to know. Always serve it responsibly.

Learn more about this author, Carrie Burrows.
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