Lady Greyhound Cocktail: Tea-Infused Gin & Grapefruit Drink

Today’s Lady Greyhound Cocktail is a bright, citrus-forward craft cocktail — a modern twist on the classic Greyhound.

Delicious year-round: make it in winter when grapefruits are at their peak as a refreshing contrast to rich holiday food, or enjoy it in spring and summer to cool off.

I love fruit and honey, and I enjoy an elegant cocktail now and then. I’m not someone who reaches for overly sweet frozen drinks; I prefer something livelier and less cloying.

Enter the Lady Greyhound Cocktail.

I first tasted a variation of this idea at Rusconi’s American Kitchen in Phoenix — a drink called the Grapefruit of Wrath made with grapefruit, tea-infused vodka, agave, and thyme. It was so refreshing that I wanted to recreate that crisp, balanced quality at home.

My version blends elements of that cocktail with the classic Greyhound — grapefruit juice plus gin or vodka — and swaps a few ingredients to suit my preferences. I use Lady Grey–infused vodka rather than Earl Grey because Lady Grey has gentler bergamot notes and added citrus peel that play beautifully with grapefruit.

Instead of agave I used honey (I keep honey on hand as a beekeeper), and I swapped thyme for sage. Sage lends a subtle lemony-woodsy aroma that complements the tea and grapefruit without overpowering them. Fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice finishes the drink with bright, natural acidity.

The result is a Lady Greyhound Cocktail I reach for whenever I entertain. It’s crisp, layered, and unexpectedly elegant.

What is the difference between Lady Grey and Earl Grey?

Earl Grey is a black tea flavored with bergamot oil. Lady Grey is also a bergamot-flavored black tea but typically includes lemon and orange peel, giving it a brighter, more citrus-forward profile.

That extra citrus in Lady Grey makes it an excellent partner for grapefruit in this cocktail.

Do I need fresh squeezed grapefruit juice for my Greyhound cocktail?

No — you don’t strictly need fresh-squeezed juice, but fresh is best. If fresh grapefruit isn’t available, use a high-quality refrigerated red grapefruit juice. Avoid concentrate or shelf-stable juice for this drink when possible.

Are red grapefruit or white grapefruit better?

I recommend red grapefruit for this cocktail: it’s slightly sweeter and creates a more attractive color. If you prefer white grapefruit, it will still work — the drink will be a bit tarter and paler.

Greyhound Cocktail notes

– If you prefer, you can use a store-bought Earl Grey vodka instead of making Lady Grey–infused vodka, though infusing your own is simple and rewarding.

– Choose a mild honey so it doesn’t compete with the grapefruit and sage — orange blossom honey is a neutral, complementary option.

– After muddling honey and sage, leave the muddler in the shaker. When you add the vodka, stir with the muddler to dissolve the honey into the spirit before adding ice. Honey dissolves more easily in the alcohol; once ice is added the honey can thicken and take longer to incorporate.

Tools

– chef’s knife

– cutting board

– cocktail shaker

– muddler

– liquid measuring cup

– citrus juicer

– cocktail glasses

If you want a simple snack to serve with cocktails, try savory crisps or spiced cocktail nuts for an easy pairing.

Lady Greyhound Cocktail

– Muddle the honey and sage together in a cocktail shaker. Add the Lady Grey–infused vodka and stir with the muddler to dissolve the honey into the vodka.

– Add ice, then pour the grapefruit juice over the ice. Secure the lid and shake vigorously until well chilled.

– Fill two cocktail glasses with ice and strain the shaker contents into the glasses.

– Garnish each glass with two grapefruit quarters and a small fresh sage leaf.