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”
I will definitely have to try this, never thought to put rosemary in a drink but this sounds (and looks) pretty good! Great pictures too!!
Yay for taxes done – hehe I’m such a procrastinator too. This is such a pretty cocktail and sounds like a great drink to celebrate with!
Taxes done = WOOHOO!! I’m sipping a celebratory hard cider at the moment, but I think it would be this cocktail if we had a few rosemary sprigs in the house. Rosemary and grapefruit sounds like such a wonderful, unique flavor pairing in a drink. And I tend not to procrastinate. I’m usually of the mind that if there’s a task I really don’t want to do, I try and get it over and done with as soon as humanly possible!
I usually preform best under deadlines too–but I have to say, I was ahead of it with taxes. I got them done (and got my refund) last month. It was such a relief, otherwise I have a feeling I would have forgotten and been so stressed out at the last minute.
These cocktails are so fun!!! And I LOVE these photos–the light is beautiful. I’m gonna have to try these, I’m such a grapefruit freak, maybe I should make these my wedding signature drink?!
Sounds like such an interesting yet amazing combination of flavors. I have been trying to experiment more with making drinks at home and can’t wait to try this one!
This looks so refreshing! I’ve never used rosemary in a beverage , but you’ve inspired me to give it a try :D
I love the idea of rosemary simple syrup! I have sooooo much rosemary in my yard and never know what to do with it all…. the possibilities are endless with the simple syrup!
What a beautiful drink, Natalie! I just love the combination of rosemary and grapefruit.
Virtual cheers from me, Natalie! :) I can’t get over how pretty this drink is. Love the peachy-pink color and the contrast of the rosemary sprig. Endless cocktails sounds like the perfect post-tax plan!
i’m a procrastinator too. in fact, i have a final in 1 hour and 20 min and have not started studying. life on the edge!
I love cocktails that involve grapefruit!!
I’m normally super on the ball with my taxes, but kept putting them off this year. I ended up spending my Saturday night getting them finished and filed…it was the pits, and the last year I’m doing them on my own….all about finding an accountant for next year.
Congrats on your taxes being done Natalie, we had ours done last month my husband takes care of that otherwise they would never get done. Love this drink, we have a grapefruit tree out front and I know we must have something to celebrate.
You are speaking my language, Natalie. My hubby does taxes on the side (he loves numbers), so I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am that tax season is finally over and we can have our life back, ha! These pictures are beautiful and yay for using rosemary – one of my favorite herbs. Cheers!
Finishing taxes is definitely something to celebrate. This cocktail looks refreshing and so delicious.
I’m not a procrastinator but I’ll still take this lovely beverage. The color is gorgeous! :)
I’m a procrastinator as well :'( And a lover of rosemary and all things cocktail-like, so this beauty is right up my alley! It looks gorgeous!
Loving that rosemary infused simple syrup! What a great creative spin on the original!!
Refreshing, never had a greyhound before but I sure am will to try :)
This sounds like a refreshing cocktail for summer and a nice way to use rosemary from my garden.
This sounds so good! I actually have never had a greyhound! Now I want to try one, I love pink drinks. If I had chosen a signature drink for my wedding, I would have chosen a Cosmo. :)