I don’t know about you, but I love a bright and cheerful cocktail while celebrating the little moments of the holiday season. Whether it’s making it through Black Friday or toasting the start of cookie baking, this Grapefruit Greyhound Cocktail is one of my favorites.

While grapefruits and grapefruit juice are readily available year round, fresh grapefruit in its prime is at its peak during the winter holidays. There’s a reason grapefruit and citrus is such a popular holiday gift. With juice a couple of ingredients including grapefruit this drink is as easy to make as it goes down easy.

Vodka or Gin?

Have you ever had a Grapefruit Greyhound Cocktail? While the actual original origin isn’t known, the first mention of it was in 1930. Bartender and author Harry Craddock described it as a variation of the Grapefruit Cocktail. His only ingredients in the recipe were grapefruit juice and gin.

For this recipe I am using vodka. You can easily switch the vodka out for gin or even Campari which has citrus notes that echo the grapefruit juice.

When it comes to making cocktails, especially those that only have a couple of ingredients, the ingredients truly matter. If you can, fresh squeezed grapefruit juice is best. However, feel free to substitute with your favorite bottled grapefruit juice.

I love the tart, bright, refreshing flavor of the combination of the vodka and grapefruit juice. However you can sweeten this up with the addition of a little simple syrup.

To make simple syrup all you need to do is simmer equal parts water and sugar together until the sugar dissolves. Allow it to cool completely before using. You can store it in a squeeze bottle to make it that much easier for creating your cocktails.

Shaken, Not Sirred Grapefruit Greyhound Cocktail

With only two, possibly three ingredients if you want it a little more sweet, this cocktail couldn’t be easier to make. Make it for yourself and a friend while wrapping gifts, or turn on your favorite Christmas music and shake up a cocktail.

Have your ingredients ready to go. Grapefruit juice, vodka (or gin or Campari), and ice.

Add all of your ingredients to your cocktail shaker and get your shake on. We want this drink icy like a winter morning.

Strain and pour into a cocktail glass with ice.

Cheers to the magic of the season and spending it with those you love!

Are you looking for another cocktail idea? Make sure you check out my recipe for Spicy Cranberry Orange Gin Cocktail.