The Pink Pony is a spin on a Greyhound with Paloma vibes and options to use vodka, gin, or tequila. It’s the ultimate customizable drink and a party favorite!
My favorite cocktail is a little number we call the Pink Pony. Inspired by the classic Greyhound cocktail with a Paloma vibe, it’s a citrus-forward drink that’s lightly sweet with a hint of tart and bitter.
A Greyhound is a simple combination of vodka and grapefruit juice—and, of course, a dog that is known to be quite speedy! A Paloma includes tequila and lime juice.
My variation adds a touch of orange liqueur—triple sec or Cointreau—and as a bonus, it takes well to vodka, gin, and tequila (including citrus flavors, like Absolut Mandrin). Then you can add a garnish of choice. I lean towards lime with tequila, lemon with vodka, and grapefruit or orange with gin. But any combination will work. A sprig of mint or rosemary is also a pretty touch when available. The choices are all yours.
To say I’ve made this drink a lot is an understatement. The cocktail has appeared at parties, book clubs, backyard cookouts, and family dinners. My older son had a Groundhog Day party last February, and we decided he needed a signature drink. What’s a theme party without one?? There was some clever branding, which I will certainly share in advance of Groundhog Day next year.
I often make this drink one glass at a time, but for a party, a pitcher or punch bowl are time savers. In the recipe card below, I provide all of these options.
The Pink Pony is truly the ultimate customizable drink that will keep most everyone happy. Playing Chappell Roan’s recent hit song “Pink Pony Club” while sipping may just add to the appeal! 🎤
Cheers!
A few other additions and swaps:
- Use grapefruit soda in place of grapefruit juice for a lighter, fizzier drink.
- I most often use ruby red grapefruit juice, but the standard yellow or pink work well too.
- I frequently use a good, store-bought, 100% juice from the grocery store but occasionally squeeze fresh grapefruits for a flavor upgrade.
- For an extra garnish, add a mint or rosemary sprig.
- When scaling up to a punch bowl, float a few grapefruit or orange slices in the punch for a pretty touch.
- Prevent a watered-down drink by starting with cold juice and alcohol. When serving from a pitcher or punch bowl, I add a little ice to the bowl or pitcher but keep an ice bucket nearby so people can add to their glass as desired.
Triple sec versus Cointreau: Triple sec refers to a category of orange-flavored liqueurs, and Cointreau is a specific and well-known brand of orange liqueur. While Cointreau is considered a high-quality option, it’s pricier too, and I actually think a basic triple sec delivers great orange flavor in this mixed drink. In other words, there is no need to spend money on a more expensive bottle. Cheaper is good in this case!
Fun fact about the Greyhound cocktail: This is a variation that can be made without the triple sec (usually 2 ounces gin or vodka, 4 ounces grapefruit juice), and it gained popularity in the 1940s and 1950s, notably at Greyhound bus terminal restaurants, which were called Post Houses.
A Salty Dog is yet another variation, which is a Greyhound with a salted rim.
One more fun fact: I called my original iteration of the Pink Pony an Italian Greyhound, because I used Aperol or Campari, which are Italian liqueurs, instead of triple sec. Feel free to try both ways and see if you have a preference.
I’d love to know if you try this recipe! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo @fountainavenuekitchen on Instagram and Facebook. Your feedback is always appreciated. 💛
Pink Pony Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces vodka, tequila, or gin*
- 3 ounces grapefruit juice (ruby red is pretty but use your favorite)
- ½ ounce triple sec (or another orange-flavored liqueur like Cointreau)
- Garnish: lemon, lime, orange, or grapefruit slice (a sprig of rosemary or mint is pretty when available)
Instructions
- Pour the vodka, gin, or tequila into an ice-filled glass, followed by the triple sec and grapefruit juice. Add a light squeeze of a small citrus wedge (I like lemon with vodka, lime with tequila, and any of the above with gin–but choose your favorite), drop it in the glass, and give the drink a stir.
Notes
3 cups (720ml) grapefruit juice
½ cup triple sec (or Cointreau)
Garnish: Lemon, lime, orange, or grapefruit slices For a punch bowl (~27 eight-ounce servings), scale up as needed and float a few thin orange or grapefruit slices in the bowl. For my punch bowl, I’ve used two 64-ounce bottles of ruby red grapefruit juice, 8 cups vodka (or liquor of choice), and 2⅔ cups triple sec.
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