Chili Salty Dog

Add some heat to your classic Salty Dog cocktail by using fresh chili peppers. The classic cocktail gets a delicious (and super easy) upgrade with chili-infused vodka (or gin!). It makes the tart and juicy cocktail even more flavorful. Perfect for those who love a little kick in their drink!

about this chili salty dog cocktail recipe

You know what I used to love to eat as a kid whenever I visited my grandparents in Florida?

A grapefruit with a good sprinkle of sugar on top.

My grandparents had this giant grapefruit tree in their backyard and every morning we would go out and pick a fresh one to eat for breakfast.

Grapefruit is my personal favorite out of the flavorful citrus family. It’s tart and juicy, with just the right hint of sweetness. The pink flesh is just a fountain of flavor that reminds me of all this summer (and humid, because UGH it’s so humid in Florida lol).

As a grown up (well, an adult aspiring to be a grown up), I like to put grapefruit in my cocktails, on my tacos, and even on my tostadas.

Salty dogs are one of my favorite grapefruit cocktails because they have a savory hit of salt in each sip. The salt balances out the tartness of the cocktail, but I’ve always wanted to add a little something extra to shake things up.

So I added some spiciness to the equation by infusing vodka with fresh chili peppers (don’t worry, you can also use gin if you want!).

The spicy vodka amps up the cocktail to all new heights with just the right amount of heat. The smoky chili plays off the tart grapefruit and salt, making it so easy to indulge in sip after sip! It’s such an easy way to change up the classic salty dog recipe.

You can honestly serve it for any occasion, from a brunch to a party, backyard bbq to bridal shower. It’s a great cocktail to serve for a crowd in a big batch as well.

Note: This is an updated version of the original recipe post published on June 15, 2017. The new post includes an updated recipe and additional information, tips, and variations.

why is it called a salty dog cocktail?

The name of this cocktail came to be when a classic greyhoud cocktail was served with a salted rim. I love this story because it’s so simple! Now, I have no idea where the greyhound name came from, but that’s for another post about that particular cocktail, isn’t it?

ingredients

peppers. You can use any of your favorite fresh chili peppers! This could be jalapeño peppers, serrano peppers, fresno peppers, habanero peppers, and more. I like to use a combination of jalapeño and serrano peppers, or a combination of serrano and fresno peppers. You will only need about 2 to 3 peppers in total.

vodka or gin. Use vodka or gin! Whatever your favorite spirit, either tastes delicious in this cocktail recipe. I recommend using a mid-tier to top shelf option. With this cocktail having such few ingredients, it’s better to have a nice spirit so the flavor really shines.

grapefruit juice. Freshly squeezed grapefruit juice is preferred for the fresh flavor. However, there’s nothing wrong with grabbing some from the store! Make sure that it is 100% juice and not a juice cocktail mixture, as those tend to be very sweet. Ruby red grapefruit juice is best!

salt. Use whatever type of coarse salt you like for the rim of the glass, whether it’s kosher salt or sea salt.

this recipe’s must haves

To make the infused spirit that is the star of this cocktail, you will just need a mason jar or an airtight container. You will also need a cutting board and a chef’s knife to halve the peppers. Be sure to have a fine mesh sieve handy to strain out the peppers and any seeds.

For the cocktail, all you need is your favorite cocktail glass, such as a highball glass, and a bar spoon.

here’s how to make a chili salty dog

infuse vodka or gin

Add halved fresh chili peppers to an airtight container or jar and pour in the vodka or gin. Infuse for about 1 to 3 hours. I like to taste the spirit each hour to determine when I want to stop infusing it. You want it to be spicy, but not overwhelming so that’s the only thing you taste when you use it in the cocktail!

Strain the vodka or gin to remove the peppers and their seeds.

make drink

Combine infused vodka or gin with fresh grapefruit juice in glasses filled with ice. You should divide the ingredients evenly between the salt rimmed glasses. Stir to combine.

garnish and serve

Garnish with a grapefruit slice or grapefruit wedge and a couple slices of peppers. Serve!

tips and variations

switch between vodka and gin. Switch between using vodka and gin! Both work so well with the flavor of the chilis and the grapefruit juice.

add sweetness. If you find it a little too tart, you can easily add in some simple syrup to make it a little sweeter. I personally love the tartness with the spicy infused vodka or gin.

use the best ingredients. Fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice will give you the best flavor! Use a spirit that you love, not the cheapest available. Since there are only two simple ingredients in the drink itself, the vodka or gin you use should be a good quality one.

More tasty vodka cocktail recipes: Cherry Vodka Sour | Vodka Cherry Limeade | Watermelon Vodka Cocktail | Homemade Vodka Lemonade

what is the difference between a salty dog and a greyhound cocktail?

The only difference between these two cocktails is the salty rim! So if you don’t like salt, then you can simply make and enjoy a greyhound cocktail instead.

should I use vodka or gin in this recipe?

You can use either! Both of them work wonderfully in this cocktail. If you like the floral notes of gin, use gin. For those who love vodka cocktails, simply stick with vodka. There is no wrong way to make this cocktail.

can I make this a big batch cocktail?

This cocktail is such an easy one to make for a bigger group! The recipe in the recipe card below makes enough for 4 cocktails in total. You can simply double the recipe to serve 8 people.

If you are making this in a big batch, it can be nice to add a splash of club soda for some added bubbles on a hot summer day.

can I make this ahead of time?

Yes, you can make it ahead of time! After infusing the vodka or gin with the chili peppers, you can combine the infused spirit with grapefruit juice in an empty pitcher up to 4 hours before serving. Be sure to place the mixture in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve it.

If you want to use club soda as an added bubbly element to the big batch drink, make sure that you add it just before serving and that the club soda is chilled as well.

what kind of salt should I use?

Use coarse salt! You can use any kind of coarse salt that you like.

Need some inspiration for happy hour? Check out my cocktail recipes page!

what to serve with a chili salty dog

This easy cocktail is one that can be served year-round! Whether you need a refreshing drink for happy hour or a perfectly pink refreshment for a celebration like parties, bridal showers, and more, this is the cocktail for you.

If you are making it for a party, serve it with appetizers like savory crab rangoon dip, spicy Korean BBQ chicken wings, or spicy ahi tuna poke cups.

more refreshing grapefruit recipes

A Grapefruit daiquiri is super refreshing, with just the right balance of sweet and tart. With only 4 ingredients, that’s all you need for happy hour!

This salted watermelon grapefruit paloma is the ideal summer cocktail for enjoying on the back patio.

Crispy crab cakes served with an avocado grapefruit salsa are a tasty appetizer or a light lunch when served with a salad.

Finally, if you make this chili salty dog recipe, please be sure to give this recipe a star rating on the recipe card and/or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment.

Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!

Oh and be sure to tag me on Instagram if you make the recipe! I love being able to see these recipes come to life in your homes – it’s my favorite thing to look through those photos. It really means the world to me!