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Tall glass with grapefruit cocktail. Rosemary sprig, grapefruit slice, white marble.
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Gin Grapefruit Greyhound Cocktail (with sweeter variation)

A classic Greyhound cocktail made with gin and fresh grapefruit juice, plus an optional simple syrup variation. A vintage, old-fashioned drink that is crisp, refreshing, and easy to make at home. No special equipment needed.
Course Drinks & Bevegages
Cuisine International
Keyword gin grapefruit drink, greyhound cocktail
Prep Time 5 minutes
Simple syrup 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 2 servings

Ingredients

For two servings (highball glasses):

  • 1 cup freshly squeezed grapefruit juice about 8 ounces, from about 2 grapefruits
  • 4 ounces gin about ½ cup
  • large ice cubes
  • 2 fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish
  • 2 grapefruit slices for garnish

For the simple syrup (if using):

  • ½ cup sugar
  • ½ cup water

Instructions

Make a simple syrup (optional):

  • In a small saucepan, combine ½ cup sugar with ½ cup water.
  • Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely. Let it cool. It keeps for months in the fridge in an airtight glass container. You will have leftover syrup that you can use for other cocktails, lemonades, fruit salads and fruit sauces.

Assemble the drinks:

  • Have ready 1 cup freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, from about 2 grapefruits, and strain the juice to remove seeds and excess pulp.
  • Pour juice into two highball glasses.
  • Add 4 ounces gin, dividing equally, and simple syrup if using, just a small amount like 1 teaspoon at first.
  • Add a large piece of ice. Stir well and taste; adjust sweetness or dilution as needed. Serve immediately.
  • If making a large pitcher, simply double or triple the amount of ingredients depending on the size of your pitcher.
  • Garnish with 2 fresh rosemary sprigs and 2 grapefruit slices.

Notes

Red and white grapefruits taste different, so taste and see which one you like more. Red is sweeter and mellower, white is more bitter and tart. If you sweeten it and use white, you might need to up the syrup amount.
Large pitcher (about 6 drinks): use 1 ½ cups gin and 3 to 4½ cups grapefruit juice. Serve cold over ice. Garnish if you like.
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