Italian greyhound is a pretty peach-colored gin cocktail, with a dash of Aperol liqueur and a simple rosemary sugar rim.
There’s not much better than lingering with a cocktail at the end of the day, and this refreshing gin Greyhound made with fresh grapefruit hits the spot.
This is a perfect summer or warm-weather drink. I stock up on chilled rosé for summer drinking, but every once in a while I like to start the night (or afternoon. Ahem) off with something a little lighter in alcohol.
I was inspired by Molly of Orangette, who wrote about a pretty salmon-colored drink she liked that included the liqueur Aperol, a brand of Italian bitters very much like Campari.
That drink, a Pamplemousse, is mixed with fresh grapefruit juice and white wine. But it reminded me how refreshing grapefruit juice can be in a cocktail, especially with gin in a warm weather drink, blended into Salty Dogs or Greyhounds.
After a short search around my local liquor stores, I rounded up a bottle of Aperol. It’s not quite as bitter as Campari, with a tiny bit more sweetness and more complex hints of herbal-citrus flavors.
I made my Italian Greyhound and embellished it a little by rimming the glass with rosemary sugar – easily made in a mini food processor or spice grinder: 1 tablespoon fresh chopped rosemary and 1/4 cup sugar.
I love, love, love this drink! It makes me appreciate gin – a spirit I don’t usually drink- all those herbs, roots and botanicals get along so nicely together and it’s dangerously thirst-quenching.
italian greyhound cocktail with rosemary sugar
Prep
Cook
Total
Ingredients
1 tablespoon fresh chopped rosemary
1/4 cup sugar
1 -2 ounces gin (your choice)
4 ounces freshly squeezed pink or red grapefruit juice
1 ounce Aperol or Campari liqueur
Instructions
- Combine the rosemary and sugar in a shallow bowl.
- Rub the edge of a glass on a wedge of fresh citrus - grapefruit would be perfect. Put some of the rosemary sugar on a plate and rim the glass.
- Fill the glass with crushed ice. Add the gin and juice, and top with a splash or two of Aperol.
- Swirl or stir gently - enjoy.
Courses cocktail/drinks
My mouth is watering. Love collecting cocktail recipes and sharing with friends.
What a shame. I’m reading this at 8 a.m. Will have to wait at least a couple of hours to try it.
I read the same post at Orangette, and went to find some Aperol. I had been drinking Kettle One, grapefruit and Campari and thought I would try Aperol instead. I like them both, but still prefer the Campari.
I was also surprised to see you call gin and grapefruit a “greyhound.” I usually think of a greyhound being grapefruit and vodka.
I could feel my lips pucker from the sweetness of the sugar from just looking at the picture. Really, I did. This is lovely!!
Lindsay – ha! I love that you had that reaction.
Hi Amy. I’m glad I found the Aperol. I’ll never abandon Campari, but it adds a little different “something” that I like.
Yes, and funny that we think of Greyhound as a vodka drink these days. Traditionally it was made with gin. Just like martinis, gin has gone out of fashion in favor of vodka. I’d be telling my age, but I worked in a bar when I was in college, and served lots of gin Greyhounds!
Jacqueline. I agree. But now you have something to look forward to later today. 😀
Hi Carl! So glad to see your comment. I wish I could clink glasses with you.
This looks like one of those addicting drinks you have to have seconds of! LOL
Beautiful color, and I love the rosemary in it.
That looks so refreshing! I am not a big Gin drinker but I’m going to go find some Aperol and make one with vodka. Could be my new summer cocktail!
That sounds great! I drink gin a lot and Aperol a lot, but I don’t usually combine them…and with grapefruit, another fav! I’ll definitely be making this one. Also, love the idea of a rosemary sugared rim. Really creative. I can totally imagine how wonderful that would be with this cocktail…and others…hmm…dreaming of weekend cocktails…
Thanks! I’m really excited about this one!
Wow, what a gorgeous photo! This drink looks SO yummy!
The color alone on this drink is reason enough to make it! Sounds absolutely delicious! =)
I love Campari, so I am going on the hunt for Aperol! Will skip the rosemary sugar however, I once pricked my lip with fresh rosemary and my entire face swelled…apparently I am allergic! Beautiful bog…
I’ll go with tradition and stick with gin. I just made a batch of these, but carbonated them. Very refreshing. Made for a wonderful Sunday afternoon.
Ah yes, another great grapefruit cocktail! I love it! The color is really beautiful, and I am sure the rosemary sugar enhances the flavor of the gin.
I had a very successful run with the following recipe at a restaurant I often consult for:
1 1/2 oz. Charbay Ruby Red Grapefruit
3 oz. Fresh Squeezed Grapefruit Juice (I prefer the cocktail variety, of course)
1/2 oz. Rosemary-infused Simple Syrup
In a seltzer bottle, combine 8 oz. Aperol with 8 oz. of Sparkling water and charge.
In a tall Collins glass rimmed with half turbinado sugar and kosher salt, add large ice cubes and the first 3 ingredients (adjust the Rosemary Syrup to taste) and stir well. Top with 1oz. of the Aperol Spritz. Garnish with a candied slice of grapefruit and sip to your heart’s content!
I breed and exhibit Italian Greyhounds. I am going to provide these cocktails at my housewarming in the next couple of months.
this sounds really good! and i love the glasses you used!
This is my new drink for the summer. I fell in love with Aperol on a trip to Venice, and am so happy to see it available in the States. I make mine with vodka because gin makes me mean.
Ha – Terri you made me smile. Best to love Aperol while in Venice (or anywhere) than to drink gin and get mad! Cheers.
oooh I can’t wait until Yardarms for this one 🙂
A sexy drink indeed! The rosemary sugar is what really makes this special (as well as your gorgeously clean and calm photos!).
We’re rounding-up everyone’s sexiest recipes this month on the Shine Supper Club and this would make an excellent contender. I hope you’ll join us!
wow !! rosemary sugar looks freaking yummy !! thank you karen 🙂
Hi! I’m a staff writer for Spoon University (UT Austin chapter) and I just wanted to make sure that it was okay if I linked your recipe in one of my articles: https://spoonuniversity.com/lifestyle/7-cocktails-make-next-spring-soiree/
Thanks,
Krizza