Strawberry Salty Dog Recipe

Unwind with a tropical-inspired libation by trying out our irresistible sweet and sour Strawberry Grapefruit Salty Dog cocktail recipe.

Looking for a refreshing and tangy cocktail? Though we usually lean towards sweet recipes, we’re actually a big tart fan when it comes to drinks. So we collaborated with Hangar 1 Vodka and concocted our Strawberry Grapefruit Salty Dog for something sweet and sour.

This delightful twist on the classic Salty Dog combines the sweetness of strawberries with the tartness of grapefruit, all topped off with a salty rim for that perfect balance of flavors. 

Whether you’re lounging by the pool or hosting a backyard barbecue, this cocktail is sure to be a hit at any gathering. 

Greyhound vs Salty Dog: What is a Salty Dog?

A Salty Dog cocktail is a drink made of vodka or gin and grapefruit juice. It’s the perfect combo of tart and salty. We added strawberries to the mix. 

The good thing about this Salty Dog recipe is for those of you that like a teeny bit of sour (but not too much), you can just add more strawberry to the mix to sweeten things up. And vice versa for the sour lovers. Just use less strawberry puree.

If the ingredients sound similar to a Greyhound, then that’s because the 2 cocktails use the same ingredient. The only difference is that a Salty Dog has a salted rimmed glass.

This recipe is a nice tie in with summer and local farm fresh fruits. Fair warning: These are super easy to make (in a total time of 10 minutes!) but also super easy to drink (so the alcohol may catch up on you).

Ingredients Needed

• Vodka — We used Hangar 1 Straight Vodka
• Freshly squeezed grapefruit juice —  Fresh is always best. If you don’t have time to squeeze your own, look for pasteurized, not-from-concentrate juice for the best flavor.
• Strawberry puree
• Coarse sea salt —  To rim your glasses. The salted rimmed glass is the key to a Salty Dog so don’t skimp out on it! You may substitute sea salt for other coarse salts like kosher salt. However, we prefer coarse sea salt due to its varying shapes, sizes and texture.
• Ice
• Optional: Grapefruit wedge — For garnish 
• Optional: Strawberry slice — For garnish 

How to Make Strawberry Puree

This Salty Dog cocktail recipe calls for strawberry puree which you can purchase at the grocery store. However, it’s so easy to make at home!

Simply blend fresh washed strawberries into a food processor or blender until it’s in liquid form but still has pulp. Depending on your preference, sweeten your strawberry puree with a little sugar, simple syrup, honey or agave nectar to taste.

For a traditional Salty Dog, you can omit the strawberry puree. However, we love this sweet addition.

How to Make a Strawberry Grapefruit Salty Dog Cocktail

1 — Prep the glasses by running a lime or grapefruit wedge around the rim of a glass. Then, dip the rim in coarse sea salt to coat it evenly. Fill the glass with ice.

2 — In a cocktail shaker with ice, add the vodka, fresh grapefruit juice, and strawberry puree. Shake well to chill until well combined

4 — Strain the cocktail into your prepared glass with the salt rim.

5 — Optional: Garnish with a strawberry slice and grapefruit slice. Now you’re all set for an al fresco cocktail hour!

Recipe Notes and Tips

• Experimenting with different spirits. Traditionally, a Salty Dog is made with either vodka or gin. However, we’ve seen a variation called the Perro Salad” which literally translates to “Salty Dog” and uses tequila.
• Shaking tip: While some recipes call for shaking a Salty Dog, it can make the grapefruit juice bitter. If you prefer a less tart drink, you can skip shaking and simply stir gently the ingredients together with ice in the glass.
• Adjust the sweetness: If your grapefruit juice is very tart, you can add a little more simple syrup or agave nectar to the puree or directly to the drink before shaking. Start with a small amount and taste as you go.
• Fizzy option: For a fun twist, top your drink with a splash of club soda or grapefruit LaCroix for a bubbly refreshment.
• Balance is key: The salty rim, tart grapefruit juice, and sweetness from the strawberries should be balanced by the vodka. Adjust the amount of alcohol to your preference, but remember, a Salty Dog is a refreshing drink, so you don’t want it to be overpowering.

More Refreshing Cocktails to Try

For more cocktails to cool off with, check out some more of our favorites from the archives —

• 3 Ingredient: Spiked Brazilian Limeade
• Blackberry Sage Margarita
• Boozy Frozen Hot Chocolate 
• Elderflower Aperol Spritz
• Frozen Cookies and Cream Polka Dot Martini
• Frozen Three Citrus Margarita
• Peach & Blackberry Bramble
• Spiked Peach Iced Tea
• Sherry Berry Cocktail
• Spicy Paloma
• Whiskey Dreamsicle Cocktail

Don’t forget to share your Salty Dog cocktail with us on Instagram using the hashtag #sugarandclothloves. We always love seeing all of your creations! Looking for more quick and delicious recipes? Find them all right here!

This post is made possible by Hangar 1 Vodka. Thank you for supporting the brands we love that keep bigger and better DIY’s, and even sweeter sweets coming straight to your inbox!

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