portrait of a cocktail // pomelo citrus salty dog

We have found ourselves in the second week of January — hooray, we made it! Last week may have been the first week back on the job, but this week just seemed to draaag. If you are anything like us, you most definitely deserve a drink! For those of you that have not declared this month “dry January,” we have a cocktail that won’t have you feeling shameful as you drink along side your detoxing, juice-cleansing friends!

The Pomelo Citrus Salty Dog is here to save the day (at least until Saturday arrives). It’s one lip-smacking drink that is equal parts salty, sweet, and tart, aka the perfect balance after all those heavy, cloying drinks over the holidays. We still love you eggnog, but we had our fill!

Pomelo Citrus Salty Dog

Ingredients:

• 3 parts Vodka (we like Tito’s)
• 2 parts fresh squeezed pomelo or grapefruit juice
• 1 part fresh tangerine juice
• 1 part fresh orange juice
• course salt

Directions:

Add salt to a plate. Run a slice of pomelo around the rim of a glass. Place the glass in the salt to coat the rim of the glass. Squeeze all the juices into a cocktail shaker. Keep squeezing! Add the vodka to the shaker and mix. Pour over ice and add a wedge of pomelo for garnish.

Fresh juices are our favorite, but they can be a bit unpredictable when making cocktails in regards to the tartness of the fruits (thanks, Mother Nature). If you find the juice to be a bit puckering, add a 1/2-1 oz simple syrup. You can also omit the vodka if you are abstaining, but then where’s the fun in that?!

This cocktail is loaded with fresh juices that won’t leave you feeling guilty. Winter citrus season is in it’s peak. From grapefruits, to Meyer lemons, tangerines, and pomelos, we are getting our fare share of vitamin A & C without juicing. Think of all of the squeezing as a mini-workout.

Salty Dogs get their peculiar name from the similar cocktail The Greyhound. They would serve the cocktail at Greyhound bus stations in their restaurants The Post House during the 1940’s. We bet that made traveling by bus ALOT easier to handle!

Greyhounds traditionally have grapefruit juice and vodka (or gin), simple dimple. The Salty Dog just has the addition of one important, obvious ingredient. Salt provides a nice zing that cuts the the sweet-tart juices.

A bright, sunny drink is just what we need this time of year to pull us out of a mid-Winter slump! We added in some pieces in vibrant shades to give a energizing dose of color amidst the sea of Winter white’s and gloomy black’s that are everywhere. A cheery dash of pink, peach and hints of gold shouldn’t just be reserved for Spring time! Winter citrus are guarantee to put you in a good mood, despite the lack of vitamin D. It’s a little bit of sunshine in a glass!

Happy imbibing!

recipe by Ashley Rose for Jojotastic. photography by Jojotastic.