Thyme for a Salty Dog Recipe

By
Niki Achitoff-Gray
Niki Achitoff-Gray
Niki Achitoff-Gray

Niki Achitoff-Gray is the former editor-in-chief at Serious Eats and a graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education. She's pretty big into oysters, offal, and most edible things.

Learn about Serious Eats' Editorial Process
Updated November 29, 2018
20150408-vodka-cocktails-grapefruit-thyme-vicky-wasik-1.jpg
The classic brunch drink gets a touch of fresh herbs. . Vicky Wasik

Salty Dogs are great with gin, but we like to use vodka in this rendition—its more neutral flavor lets the interplay of bitter grapefruit and woodsy thyme take center stage. The cocktail's signature salt-coated rim gives the tart, herbal combo a welcome jolt.

Recipe Details

Thyme for a Salty Dog Recipe

Active 5 mins
Total 20 mins
Serves 1 serving

Ingredients

For the Thyme Simple Syrup:

  • 1/4 cup sugar

  • 1/4 cup water

  • 8 sprigs thyme

For the Cocktail:

  • 1 tablespoon coarse salt, for glass rim

  • 1 lime wedge

  • 3 ounces freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice from 1 grapefruit

  • 2 ounces vodka

  • 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed juice from 1 lime

  • 1/2 ounce thyme simple syrup

  • Lime wheels or thyme sprigs for garnish

Directions

  1. For the Thyme Simple Syrup: In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water. Stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat, add thyme, and allow to steep 15 minutes. Strain into airtight container. Thyme Simple Syrup can be refrigerated for up to 1 week.

  2. For the Cocktail: Pour salt on a small saucer. Run lime wedge around the outer rim of a Collins glass and roll glass in salt to coat outside rim. Set aside.

  3. Combine grapefruit juice, vodka, lime juice, and thyme syrup in cocktail shaker. Fill shaker with ice. Shake until well chilled, about 15 seconds. Fill salt-rimmed Collins glass with fresh ice and strain cocktail into glass. Garnish with thyme or lime if desired.

Special Equipment

Cocktail shaker, strainer

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
215Calories
0gFat
22gCarbs
1gProtein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories215
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g0%
Saturated Fat 0g0%
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 317mg14%
Total Carbohydrate 22g8%
Dietary Fiber 0g1%
Total Sugars 10g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 52mg260%
Calcium 19mg1%
Iron 0mg2%
Potassium 217mg5%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

More Serious Eats Recipes