Cocktails

Salty Dog

Salty Dog is an alcoholic cocktail built on Gin. It leans citrus and botanical. Built and served in a Highball Glass. Expect about 10% ABV and roughly 160 kcal (estimated per recipe).

Reviewed by the WhatDrink Editorial TeamHow we calculate nutritionSuggest a correction

Cocktailalcoholic10% ABV3 ingredients

At a Glance

160 kcalCalories

10%ABV

10.4gSugar

13.6gCarbs

1.09Std Drinks

Estimated from parsed ingredients and typical ingredient nutrition.

On this page

How hard is it to make?

Moderatestirred drink

Why: 3 ingredients, stirred drink, requires bar spoon

Estimated from the ingredient count and technique.

Ingredients

5 ozGrapefruit juiceJuice
1 1/2 ozGinBase Spirit
1/4 tspSaltGarnish

How to Make It

Pour all ingredients over ice cubes in a Highball glass.Pour
Stir well and serve.Stirred
(Vodka may be substituted for gin, if preferred.)

How to Serve

Glass: Highball Glass
Temperature: Chilled
Ice: Cubed ice
Method: Stirred

Served Chilled

Taste profile

Primary flavours

Citrus Botanical

Supporting notes

Herbal Juniper Bitter Tart Salty

Flavor tags are derived from ingredient-level flavor mappings.

Estimated sensory profile

StrengthLight – Strong

BodyLight – Full

SweetnessDry – Sweet

AcidityFlat – Crisp

FruitinessEarthy – Fruity

BoldnessDelicate – Bold

Bright and citrusy

What do these dimensions mean?

When to serve

AperitifSuggested from its bitter and botanical notes.
Seafood DinnerSuggested from its citrus notes, pairing with ceviche and seafood.
SummerSuggested from its citrus notes.

Occasion tags are inferred from drink style, serving format, flavour profile, food-pairing theme, recipe metadata, strict multi-signal supplemental rules, and cached for public page performance.

Food pairings

Seafood Ceviche Salads

Food pairings are derived from the drink flavour signature, mapped to one dominant pairing theme, then limited to coherent public suggestions.

Diet & lifestyle

Compatible, based on the listed ingredients

Gluten-Free Vegan Vegetarian

Not compatible

KetoLow-CarbLow-Sugar

Diet tags are ingredient-level and nutrition-estimate based. Product brands, preparation methods, quantities, and substitutions may change compatibility.

Alternatives to try

Choose an ingredient to see reviewed substitutions, or filter for a different preference.

Reviewed ingredient substitutions

Grapefruit Juice5 oz

Orange JuiceNot a neutral swap

How much to use: Use the same amount, then add lime or lemon if it needs more bite.
What changes: Orange juice can replace grapefruit juice only if a sweeter, softer citrus result is acceptable.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Gin1 1/2 oz

VodkaKnown variation

How much to use: Use the same volume; expect less juniper and botanical aroma.
What changes: Vodka can replace gin when you want a cleaner, less botanical drink, but it usually changes the cocktail identity.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Reviewed component substitutions are not guarantees that the replacement was tested in this exact recipe. Follow the reviewed adjustment note and taste before serving.

Preference filters use current ingredient, nutrition and diet evidence. They are not medical advice, and this database contract does not store user selections.

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Last updated June 18, 2026

Ingredients, measures and method are taken from the source recipe; roles and serving details are mapped from reviewed evidence.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a Salty Dog?: The Salty Dog is a cocktail made with 3 ingredients, traditionally served in a Highball Glass. It has an ABV of approximately 10.0%. A standard serving contains approximately 160 calories.
What does a Salty Dog taste like?: Salty Dog has a flavour profile featuring Citrus, Botanical, Herbal, Juniper. The exact taste varies depending on the brands and measures used.
What food goes well with a Salty Dog?: Salty Dog pairs well with Seafood, Ceviche, Salads. The pairing is based on complementary flavour profiles from the recipe's ingredients.
How strong is a Salty Dog?: The Salty Dog has an ABV of approximately 10.0%. That's approximately 1.09 US standard drinks. This recipe is estimated to contain 160 kcal, 10.4g sugar, 13.6g carbs. Strength varies depending on the exact measures and ingredients used.
When is a Salty Dog typically served?: Salty Dog is often suggested for Aperitif, Seafood Dinner, Summer, based on its flavour profile and typical serve.
What drinks are similar to a Salty Dog?: If you enjoy Salty Dog, the "similar flavour profile" suggestions on this page point to cocktails that share its flavour character. Drinks with a matching spirit base and comparable body and acidity feel closest.
Can I make a Salty Dog at home?: Yes. The Salty Dog uses 3 ingredients, making it easy to prepare at home. You will need a Highball Glass. Use quality spirits and fresh ingredients for the best result.
What do the sensory profile dimensions mean?: Sensory profile dimensions describe key flavour characteristics: Body (light to full), Dryness (sweet to bone dry), Acidity (flat to crisp), Fruitiness (subtle to prominent) and Boldness (delicate to bold). Each scale helps you compare cocktails at a glance and find ones with similar character.
How do I use sensory profiles to find cocktails I like?: Compare the Body, Acidity and Fruitiness of Salty Dog with other cocktails. If you enjoy this drink, look for others with a similar profile. Adjust one dimension at a time to discover new favourites while staying in your flavour comfort zone.