Italian greyhound is a pretty pink gin cocktail made with fresh grapefruit, Aperol liqueur and a sparkling rosemary sugar rim.

This Italian greyhound pink gin cocktail made with fresh grapefruit juice and a dash of bitter liqueur hits the spot when you’re craving adult refreshment.

It’s a great drink to make any time of year, and it’s not too sweet or strong.

There’s really nothing better than winding down with a glass of chilled rosé or prosecco at the end of the day, especially during the warmer months, but every once in a while a gin cocktail is in order.

Molly of Orangette 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 when combined with gin and blended into concoctions like a Salty Dog.

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 embellished this Italian greyhound by rimming the glass with rosemary sugar, which tempers the bitter edge of the grapefruit and Aperol with every sip. Rosemary sugar is easy to make: Mix 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves with 1/4 cup sugar.

You will love, love, love this drink! It’s dangerously thirst-quenching.

If you’re not usually a fan of gin, an Italian greyhound is a good place to get acquainted.

The complexity of herbs, roots and botanicals that go into a good gin match up nicely with grapefruit juice and aromatic piney rosemary.

Yield: 1 drink

Italian Greyhound Cocktail with Rosemary Sugar

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If you're looking for an easy twist on the classic greyhound, this Italian Greyhound cocktail will do the trick. It's a thirst-quenching gin cocktail with fresh red grapefruit juice and Aperol liqueur.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon fresh chopped rosemary
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 or 2 ounces gin
• 4 ounces freshly squeezed pink or red grapefruit juice
• 1 ounce Aperol or Campari liqueur
• Rosemary sprig, for garnish

Instructions

1. Combine the rosemary and sugar and spread on a small plate.
2. Rub the edge of a glass on a wedge of fresh citrus — grapefruit would be perfect — then press the glass onto the plate, turning to coat.
3. Fill the glass with crushed ice. Add the gin, juice and Aperol. Garnish with a rosemary spring
4. Swirl or stir gently. Enjoy.

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