How to Make a Rosemary Greyhound Cocktail Recipe
This rosemary greyhound cocktail recipe is made with vodka and grapefruit juice and sweetened with rosemary simple syrup. A pretty pink drink that’s super easy to make, and even easier to drink!
Table of Contents
What is a Greyhound?
The Greyhound is a simple cocktail that consists of grapefruit juice and gin or vodka. The name “Greyhound” is said to have been made popular by the restaurant chain “Greyhound Post House” which was associated with the Greyhound bus terminals, but there’s not a lot of hard evidence to know whether or not that’s the real origin.
Regardless, it’s a good cocktail (actually GREAT) and is perfect for a fun happy hour with friends, a pitcher for a gathering, or just a weeknight night cap!
What Makes This Recipe Great
This delicious grapefruit cocktail is infused with rosemary simple syrup, vodka, and grapefruit juice and garnished with a sprig of rosemary for a Homemade Rosemary Greyhound Cocktail that you can drink all year long!
The sweet and savory simple syrup mixed with the tart grapefruit juice makes this easy-to-drink cocktail bursting with flavor. The rosemary garnish gives this grapefruit cocktail a great scent with every sip. Plus, it’s the perfect little stirring tool to mix up your drink as you sip it.
Ingredient Notes
This classic greyhound cocktail is made with simple ingredients and a cocktail shaker!
Fresh Rosemary: Fresh is best for this rosemary cocktail, for both the simple syrup and the garnish. If you have a home garden, I recommend growing your own rosemary! It’s super easy and so nice to have on hand.
Sugar: This grapefruit cocktail recipe calls for 2 cups of regular sugar for the simple syrup. You can also sub monk fruit sweetener or Swerve, or another 1:1 sugar replacement if you’re looking to make a “skinnier” grapefruit cocktail version.
Vodka: Use your favorite! You can also swap this for gin if desired.
Grapefruit Juice: I like Ruby Red for this greyhound cocktail recipe, but to make it skinny, you could also use fresh grapefruit juice, but it’ll be a little more tart.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Rosemary Simple Syrup
- In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, dissolve the sugar into the water for about 5 minutes. Do not let the mixture boil, or crystals will form.
- In a heat-safe container, pour the warm sugar water mixture over the rosemary sprigs and let it steep for at least 1 hour.
- Store the simple syrup in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 10 days.
Rosemary Greyhound Cocktail
- In a cocktail shaker filled with plenty of ice, combine the vodka, rosemary simple syrup, and pink grapefruit juice.
- Strain into a tall glass of ice, then garnish your with a sprig of rosemary, and enjoy!
Expert Tips
Grapefruit Juice: I prefer Ruby Red grapefruit juice, but any kind will work. You can also use freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, and adjust the amount to taste (as it will be a little more tart).
Pitcher: To make a pitcher of this rosemary cocktail, click on the printable recipe below and select print. Increase the servings to 8-12 (or however many cocktails you need!) and the ingredients will automatically adjust! This grapefruit cocktail is the perfect signature cocktail at an event or gathering, so make as much as you need!
Variations: One variation of the Greyhound is the Salty Dog, which is a Greyhound cocktail served in a glass with a salted rim.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! To make this keto friendly, simply swap the sugar in the simple syrup for monk fruit sweetener or Swerve sugar replacement, and use 2 oz of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice. Each serving will be just 5.5 net carbs.
Yes! If you make a pitcher of this classic cocktail and want to keep it on hand, simply store it in the refrigerator with a lid and give it a good stir before serving over a glass of ice. It should last for up to a week!
More Delicious Cocktail Recipes
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Rosemary Greyhound Cocktail
Ingredients
Rosemary Simple Syrup
- 2 cups of water
- 2 cups of sugar
- 6 sprigs of rosemary
Cocktail
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1/2 ounce rosemary simple syrup
- 4 ounces grapefruit juice
- sprig of rosemary for garnish
Instructions
- Simple Syrup: In a small sauce pan over medium low heat, dissolve the sugar into the water for about 5 minutes. Do not let the mixture boil or crystals will form. In a heat safe container, pour the warm sugar water mixture over the rosemary sprigs and let it steep for at least 1 hour. The rosemary simple syrup will keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 10 days.
- Cocktail: In tall glass filled with ice combine the vodka, rosemary simple syrup and grapefruit juice. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary.
44 Comments on “How to Make a Rosemary Greyhound Cocktail Recipe”
This looks delicious! Did you use regular or ruby red grapefruit juice?
I used regular grapefruit, but ruby red would work too! Whichever you prefer or have on hand!
A Great cocktail out of rosemery.
So glad you enjoyed it Ranjan!
I really like this unique and delicious cocktail recipe. This is really easy to understand. I will surely try this at home Thank you for sharing it.
I am so happy you liked my cocktail Alina. I am so glad the recipe was easy to understand.
I love it, A great homemade cocktail recipe. This is really amazing reading for me. I have learned a lot of new recipes with the help of your blog. Thank you for sharing this wonderful article.
Thank you so much! I am so glad you enjoyed the cocktail and have enjoyed the recipes from my site Hallen. You just made my day!
Made this for my brother’s engagement party. That was two years ago. Still making it for special parties and plan to do so again tonight.
I am so happy you like my cocktail Valerie! I am honored you made it for your brothers engagement party and you serve it at special parties. So glad you have enjoyed it!
Grapefruit is way over powering so you cannot taste the rosemary simple syrup that you waited a week to try. It’s a real shame..
Well shoot! I am sorry the cocktail didn’t work for you Jared. I am a real fan of grapefruit so I really like the taste. I wonder if you did less grapefruit and either club soda or plain water if it would taste better to you. You could also sub the grapefruit juice for a juice you like better. Feel free to tweak it to your liking!
I’ve this lovely cocktail before. I didn’t read all of the comments so may have missed turning this into a punch or producing for the masses. Hosting a bridal shower for 30 and need version with and without alcohol. Many thanks.
Hi Susan! This will be great for a bridal shower! I would just multiply the recipe for the number of people you need to serve. And for non-alcoholic, I would leave out the vodka and substitute soda water instead. Will give it a nice bubbly fizz too. Yum!
I just found your blog. I’m totally in LOVE. Beautiful photography! I’m so glad I stumbled upon those recently posted carrot cake cupcakes and found your other recipes. Hooray!
Thanks so much Samantha! You just made my day! Those carrot cupcakes are SO good. I’m counting down the hours until I’m off work and get to go home and eat one. Or two : )
These look incredible! Can’t wait to try!
I just recently discovered rosemary simple syrup – oh wow! It takes cocktails to a new level. This greyhound looks so delicious and refreshing! And so pretty! Hope you are having a great weekend, Natalie!
They look absolutely great! I want them now, but the stores are closed.. :( I will get two then, haven’t done my taxes yet… Thank you for sharing…
This drink sounds amazing, Ashley, and I love the name! You’ve reminded me that I have to do my taxes soon (waaah!) … and that it would be a good idea to make myself a cocktail afterwards to ‘celebrate’!
Pinning on my ‘drinks’ board!
This cocktail looks so yummy and refreshing! It will be perfect for the summertime weather we are having in Arizona right now. Thankfully, after my husband and I got married we started hiring someone to do our taxes, so all I have to do is scan all the paperwork, send it in, and wait for our refund check! That still deserves a cocktail, right?! :)
Just saw this on Healthy Aperture and had to pin it! Gorgeous drink, and Greyhounds are one of my all-time favorite drinks, plus I’ve got boatloads of rosemary growing in my garden, so this drink is a must!!! Congrats on getting your taxes done-I filed for an extension :-) Cheers!
This looks so so refreshing and oh my god look at the color of this drink!!! amazing colora that goes very well with the spring colors. Lovely recipe and very nice photos.
Thanks Amira! Don’t you just love the pink?