Kevin Lee Jacobs

Gardening, Recipes & Home Décor Tips

  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • Gardening
    • Annuals
    • Bulbs
    • Forcing
    • Groundcovers
    • Herbs
    • Houseplants
    • Pests
    • Perennials
    • Vegetables
      • Tomatoes
    • Preserving the Harvest
      • Soil
    • Winter-Sowing
    • What To Do When
  • Household
    • Decorating
    • Flower Arranging
    • Good Ideas
    • Etc.
    • House Tour
    • Christmas
  • Shop
  • Ask Kevin
    • Ask Kevin Forum
    • Tips
    • Email Kevin
    • facebook
    • twitter
    • Pinterest

Botanical Cocktail: The Rosemary Greyhound

BY Kevin Lee Jacobs | June 12, 2019 5 Comments

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Last updated on July 28th, 2019

Rosemary Greyhound CocktailWhat’s pink, perfumed, and deliriously delicious? Me, after I’ve showered, shaved, and shampooed. Then there’s the Rosemary Greyhound! Here’s the video (and printable) recipe for this botanical cocktail, along with its fascinating backstory:

Click the play arrow above to watch me make — and taste-test — a Rosemary Greyhound.

Historical Notes: According to a 1945 edition of Harper’s Magazine, the “greyhound” — a mixture of vodka and canned grapefruit juice — was served at Greyhound’s popular restaurant chain that was located at bus terminals, called “Post House”. A similar drink was mentioned in Harry Craddock’s Savoy Cocktail Book, which was published in 1930.

Post House Restaurant, circa 1945The Post House Restaurant in question. I guess bus stations ain’t what they used to be! The last remaining Post House closed its doors in 2004.

Kevin, sipping a Rosemary GreyhoundAnyway, I think Rosemary Greyhound belongs on every summertime beverage table. I also think the cocktail’s delicious taste and pretty pink coloring should be welcome at all bridal showers, wedding receptions, and Tupperware parties.

And speaking of Tupperware…as mentioned in the video above, you can store leftover rosemary syrup in an air-tight container for at least two weeks, and even up to one month.

And speaking of rosemary syrup…just add confectioners sugar to make scented icing for cakes, cupcakes, and pastries. I might do just that with some of my leftover syrup. Yummerz!

Looking for a different botanical cocktail? Try my Rose Geranium Martini.

Thirsty for more? Get my email updates. You can even subscribe to my YouTube channel!

And here, in case you need it, is the printable recipe:

Print Recipe

Rosemary Greyhound (Botanical Cocktail)

A refreshing drink for any time of the year.
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time10 mins
Total Time1 hr 15 mins
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 cups water
  • 5 sprigs of fresh rosemary, plus extra for garnish
  • Vodka, to taste
  • Ruby Red grapefruit juice, to taste

Instructions

  • Making the scented syrup -- Tip the sugar and water into a heavy saucepan. While stirring from time to time, heat the mixture over medium heat just until the sugar dissolves -- about 10 minutes (do not let the syrup boil). Off heat, add the rosemary sprigs. Then cover the pan, and let the syrup steep until fragrant with rosemary -- about 1 hour. Strain the syrup and discard the rosemary.
  • Mixing the cocktail -- For each serving, pour equal parts (or to taste) vodka and grapefruit juice over rocks (ice cubes) in a low ball glass, a cocktail glass, or a small jar. Top off with enough rosemary syrup to pleasantly perfume the drink. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary. Leftover rosemary syrup may be stored, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
Video: Spinach, Fennel and White Bean Gratin
Mango Salsa

Comments

  1. 1

    Jean says

    June 16, 2019 at 10:25 am

    Hi, Kevin, love and have made many recipes from your repertoire. This cocktail sounds so refreshing! I have recently discovered Ruby Red Grapefruit Vodka, for which one simply need a bottle retrieved from one’s freezer and a straw! The addition of a rosemary, or lime infused simple syrup would indeed be heavenly! Thanks for the idea! Jean

  2. 2

    Kevin Lee Jacobs says

    June 16, 2019 at 10:42 am

    Hi Jean – Thanks for the heads-up on Ruby Red Grapefruit Vodka. I only recently learned that it exists. Must try!

  3. 3

    Kathy says

    June 16, 2019 at 11:33 am

    Kevin, love your posts…usually something gives me a chuckle! When you mentioned Tupperware, this joke came to mind. You know when you lose a sock in the dryer it comes back as a Tupperware lid that fits none of your containers! Just sayin’. Keep up the good work.

  4. 4

    Myra says

    June 16, 2019 at 2:35 pm

    Hi, I’m not a fan of rosemary. Would I be able to make the syrup with basil? How do you make it with lime?

  5. 5

    Jean says

    June 16, 2019 at 6:30 pm

    For Myra’s query: Make simple syrup as above, but substitute lime peel( white pith scraped off) for the rosemary.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Get my new cookbook!

Buy The Book

RETURN TO TOP
COPYRIGHT© 2009–2022 | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | KEVIN LEE JACOBS