~ Mel's Pink Poodle Cocktail (aka... The Salty Dog!) ~

When it comes to breakfast and brunch, no self-respecting buffet is complete without a pitcher of grapefuit, orange and tomato juice.  When it comes to breakfast and brunch cocktails, I don't stray from that train of thought and almost always offer:  citrus-y orange and grapefruit juice with vodka or gin, and, a spicy tomato-y bloody Mary.  They are all easy to make, they all get served over ice in the same-sized highball-type glasses, and, they are a great way to start the day!

A 'canine cocktail' named 'The Salty Dog'?   

A few years ago we invited three couples over on a Sunday morning for a Valentine's Day brunch.  I was making made-to-order omlettes and Joe was serving the cocktails.  I had just received a juicer for Christmas two months earlier and Joe used it to freshly squeeze the orange and grapefruit juice.  Joe was about to make Larry a vodka and grapefruit juice when Larry said, "Can you make mine a Salty Dog?"  Almost everyone sitting around my kitchen counter that morning, including Joe and I, had no idea what he was referring to.  Larry explained:

The Salty Dog cocktail is: vodka (or gin) and freshly squeezed grapefruit juice that is served in a salt-rimmed glass.  Without the salt around the rim of the glass, this drink is called a Grayhound.

Almost all of us decided to try one, and, it just so happened that we'd used a box of pink grapefruit to make the juice, so they were a very pretty color too. When it comes to naming 'canine cocktails', my love of poodles surfaced and got a laugh from everyone when I joked, "these should be called pink poodles"!

Best in Show:  Mel's Pink Poodle Cocktail!

For each drink:

10-ounce highball glass:

3/4  cup grapefruit juice, preferably freshly-squeezed (each grapefruit will yield about 3/4 cup of juice)

1-1 1/2  ounces of your favorite gin or vodka (I prefer gin)

coarse sea salt, for rimming glass

6-8 ice cubes

~ Step 1. Stand each grapefruit up on its side, with the pole ends (the top and bottom) facing left and right. Slice in half.  Using a hand-held citrus reamer or an electric juicer, squeeze out the grapefruit juice and remove any seeds.

Note:  If making 1-4 drinks, you can do this with a hand-held citrus reamer in less than 5 minutes.  For a large pitcher of juice, you might want to consider investing in a juicer, or, a juicer attachment for your electric stand mixer!

~ Step 2. This step is optional:  

When I'm drinking citrus juice, I enjoy some pulp in my glass.  When I'm drinking a citrus juice cocktail, I like it a little more refined, so I run the juice through a tea strainer.  If you are using an electric juicer, you'll be able to control this.  Chill for about 1 hour.

~ Step 3.  Fill a small bowl with about 1/4"-1/2" of coarse sea salt. Dip the rim of the glass into the grapefruit juice, then into the salt.  If you like, use your fingertips to press it onto the outside of the glass.  How far down you dip the glass into the juice will determine how much salt ends up on the glass.  Joe likes it as pictured here, I like it with about half as much salt!

~ Step 4.  Carefully drop 6-8 ice cubes into the glass, to fill it about three-quarters full.  Do this judiciously, so you don't knock the salt crystals off the rim of the glass. The size of your ice cubes will determine how many you use and there are 8 ice cubes in each of these two highball glasses.  Add the gin or vodka, followed by the strained grapefruit juice.  Serve immediately:

Drink responsibly, don't drink and drive, and, don't drink alone.  Well... two out of three ain't bad!

Mel's Pink Poodle Cocktail (aka... The Salty Dog!):  Recipes yields instructions to make as many cocktails as you want.

Special Equipment List:  cutting board; chef's knife; citrus reamer or electric juicer; small measuring container or large pitcher; tea strainer (optional); 10-ounce highball glasses

Cook's Note:  Before you know it, Winter will have turned into Spring and Summer. My very own, original recipe for ~ June 15th:  It's Time for Mel's "Big Pink Drinks" ~ can be found in Categories 10, 11, 16 or 17. This drink will seriously change your life!

"We are all in this food world together." ~ Melanie Preschutti

(Recipe, Commentary and Photos courtesy of Melanie's Kitchen/Copyright 2013)

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~How to: Supreme Citrus Fruits (an easy Knife Skill)~

Comments

[Marilyn Cummins]

OOPS! One more thing. The little girls loved the cranberry (pink) punch.
They are girly girls and love pink things like you. Me too!
They had their own table and said they were having a little punch tea! Cute!

[Marilyn Cummins]

Mel! Everything went very well and your punch was a big hit!
We had home baked cupcakes of all kinds too! I'll send you pics, as I was too busy serving to take my own...
I did an on the spot, last minute punch too. I mixed 1.5 liters of cran raspberry and and another of cran apple juice. I added 1 can of frozen raspberry lemonade and 1 can of frozen limeade. Then 4 cans of water and 1.5 liter of Sprite Zero.
I added a ice ring with rasberries.
Both of these would be great with a little ETOH too!
Thanks again! Hugs, Marilyn

[Kitchen Encounters]

Marilyn! I'm so happy I got back to you (in time) with an idea that worked for you. Enjoy your day today and let me know how it goes! ~ Mel.

[Marilyn Cummins]

Good Morning Mel! Thanks to you, I am packed up and ready to head out to church, with all the ingredients for the punch!
Also 2 pretty ice rings, that I made last night.
THANK YOU so much! I hope I can do something for you sometime!
Enjoy your day ~ love ya, Marilyn

[Kitchen Encounters]

Good Morning Marilyn! How about:

ORANGE PINEAPPLE COOLERS:
1 cup orange juice
3/4 cup unsweetened frozen or fresh pineapple juice
1/2 cup lemon-lime soda (I use diet Sprite and I like it a lot)
fresh orange slices, for garnish
chill and serve over ice cubes

This makes 2 nice-sized tall-glass drinks. If you're using punch glasses, plan on 3-4. I'll leave doing those calculations to you!!!

[Marilyn Cummins]

Mel! Me again! I love your "big pink drink". However, I am in need of a good punch recipe for this Sunday. Our church is dedicating a newly remodeled gathering space. I want a good punch recipe that does not contain alcohol. I know!
I looked in the BC book, but nothing inspires me. Also, I probably should not add shebert or ice cream, because of folks with dairy issues. Do you have any suggestions?I would appreciate your advice! xoxoxo!