I love drinks that are simple and refreshing. The Rosemary Greyhound really nails both.

This cocktail combines tart grapefruit juice with fresh rosemary’s aromatic punch. It’s easy to make, but still feels special enough to serve guests or just enjoy solo.

When I want something light and a bit out of the ordinary, this is what I reach for. Just a handful of ingredients, but the result is bright and honestly, it looks pretty great in the glass.

If you’re itching to mix up your usual cocktail routine, you should give this a shot.

Rosemary Greyhound Cocktail Recipe

I throw together a Rosemary Greyhound by mixing fresh grapefruit juice, vodka, and a simple rosemary syrup. Picking good ingredients and using the right tools really helps balance the sweet and tart.

John

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Serving Size

Equipment

A cocktail shaker is key for chilling and mixing.
I use a jigger for measuring, and a fine mesh strainer to catch any stray rosemary bits from the syrup or juice.

For juicing, a manual citrus juicer or reamer works great.
When it’s time to garnish, I grab a paring knife for a neat grapefruit wedge or a rosemary sprig.
I usually pour into a sturdy rocks glass or a classic highball glass.

If I’m not in the mood to shake, a stirring spoon does the trick. I
I also need a small saucepan and something heat-proof for the syrup.

Ingredients

For one drink, here’s what I use:

Vodka 2 ounces
Fresh grapefruit juice 2 ounces

Rosemary simple syrup 0.75 ounce
Ice cubes As needed
Fresh rosemary sprig 1 for garnish
Grapefruit wedge 1 for garnish

Instructions

First, I make the rosemary syrup: Bring 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar to a boil in a small saucepan, toss in the rosemary, and let it simmer for 2–3 minutes. After it cools, I pull out the herbs.

For the cocktail, I fill a shaker with ice. Vodka, grapefruit juice, and rosemary syrup go in next.
I shake for about 15 seconds—just enough to chill and mix it all together. Then I strain the drink into a glass packed with ice.
A fresh rosemary sprig and a wedge of grapefruit make it look sharp. Sometimes I taste and tweak it, just to get the sweetness or tartness where I want.

Notes

I definitely get the best flavor using fresh rosemary and juice. If the grapefruit is super sour, I’ll sneak in a bit more syrup.

Want it milder? Just use less vodka. Chilling the glass ahead of time keeps everything nice and cold.

If I’m making drinks for a group, I’ll double or triple the recipe and mix up a big pitcher. Rosemary syrup keeps in the fridge for up to a week—handy for next time.

The rosemary sprig isn’t just for looks; it gives a subtle aroma while you sip. I like being able to tweak the syrup or juice to fit my mood or whoever’s drinking.

Tasting Notes

First sip, and the grapefruit jumps out—citrusy, tart, and fresh. The rosemary? It’s there right away, almost like an herbal cloud over the glass.

The balance between gin and juice is actually smooth. I get the botanicals in the gin, but nothing overpowers the rest.

Rosemary sneaks in with a piney note that lingers after each sip. Here’s a quick rundown of the flavors

The drink feels cool on my tongue, and the flavors blend without covering each other up. Rosemary adds a gentle, almost bitter edge I really like.

Sometimes, I switch to vodka for a cleaner taste. The rosemary still brings that earthy vibe, though.

Each sip is crisp, and you can taste both the fruit and the rosemary from start to finish.

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Substitute

Sometimes, I just don’t have all the ingredients to make a Rosemary Greyhound cocktail. Here are a few simple swaps I reach for instead.

Gin: Out of vodka? I grab gin. It brings this light herbal thing that actually plays really well with grapefruit juice and rosemary.

Simple Syrup: Wanting less sugar or just missing simple syrup, I’ll use honey or agave. I usually mix them with a splash of warm water first so they don’t clump up.

Rosemary: No fresh rosemary? I’ll pull out dried rosemary, but only use half as much since it’s way more intense. Sometimes I’ll even try thyme if I’m after a softer, herbal note.

Grapefruit Juice: If there’s no grapefruit around, I’ll swap in orange or lemon juice. Here’s a quick table of what I usually consider:

Honestly, I just keep the measurements about the same and taste as I go. That way, I can find the balance that works for me.

Rosemary Greyhound Cocktail Recipe