This year has been a doozy, huh? That may even be an understatement. And it looks like we are all going to need to slow our roll again until we get a handle on things. All we can do is continue to lay low, practice social distancing, wash our hands frequently, and continue to wear masks in public. Sorry, but I’m positive we’ll all get through this if we work together. Come on, we got this!
So, with that being said, let’s do our best to turn this year’s lemons into lemonade – or in this case, canine-themed cocktails! There are quite a few cocktails inspired by dog breeds to choose from, but here you will find some of the easiest 3-to-4 ingredient cocktails you can fix in a jiffy.
Hosting a virtual happy hour is a great way to turn social distancing into distant socializing. Invite your friends and coworkers to partake in a doggo-themed virtual cocktail hour! It’s easy to do. Simply share this list of cocktails with your distant connections and encourage everyone to bring a drink. Awoo!
Greyhound
- 1 1/2 oz gin
- 3 oz grapefruit juice (pink or ruby red)
As quick to make as the dog that inspired it, the Greyhound is perfect for your happy hour! Fill a glass with ice and pour in your gin. Add grapefruit juice. Stir until chilled. Then garnish with a lemon, lime or grapefruit wedge. Dang, that was fast! For a non-alcoholic version, substitute sparkling water for gin.
Italian Greyhound
- 1 1/2 oz vodka
- 3 oz grapefruit juice (pink or ruby red)
- 1/2 oz Campari
For an easy international twist on the classic Greyhound cocktail, simply substitute vodka and Campari and you’ll have an Italian Greyhound! Again, ad your liquors to an ice filled glass. Pour on the grapefruit juice. Stir until chilled. Garnish with a lemon, lime or grapefruit wedge.
Salty Dog
- 1 1/2 oz gin (or vodka)
- 3 oz grapefruit juice
- Rimming salt
Transform your classic Greyhound into a Salty Dog with, you guessed it, rimming salt. Simply rim a glass with salt and fill with ice. Add liquor and grapefruit juice. Use lime, lemon or grapefruit wedge for garnish.
Salty Chihuahua
- 1 1/2 oz tequila
- 3 oz grapefruit juice
- Rimming salt
A Mexican-inspired take on the Salty Dog cocktail, the Salty Chihuahua is the exact same drink, but with tequila as your alcohol. And it’s more fun to say! Rim a glass with salt, add ice, pour in your liquids and garnish with lime.
Pomeranian
- 1 1/2 oz pomegranate vodka
- 2 oz grapefruit juice
- 1 Tbsp honey (or 1/2 oz triple sec)
A typically sweet and lively dog breed calls for an equally sweet and lively cocktail! Combine all the ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker and shake thoroughly. Strain into a glass full of ice, and garnish with a sprig of fresh mint (and a few pomegranate seeds).
Bloodhound Martini
- 1/3 oz dry gin
- 1/3 oz sweet vermouth
- 1/3 oz dry vermouth
- 2 or 3 crushed strawberries
Bloodhounds and martinis are both distinguished by their iconic appearance, so if you’re looking to turn heads, adopt a Bloodhound – or just sip on a Bloodhound Martini. Shaken, not stirred, of course! Fill your shaker with ice. Toss in a few crushed strawberries. Pour in your spirits and start shaking. Strain and pour into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a beautiful fresh strawberry.
Great Dane
- 2 oz gin
- 1 oz Cherry Heering
- 1/2 oz dry vermouth
- 1 tsp Kirsch
What are Cherry Heering and Kirsch? They are both cherry flavored spirits. Cherry Heering is sweetened while Kirsch is not. It’s the complementary ingredients in this cocktail that make it great. Mix all of the ingredients over ice and strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with a citrus wedge and top it off with a maraschino cherry.
Pink Poodle
- 1 1/2 oz vanilla vodka
- 1 tsp Grenadine
- 2 oz lemon-lime soda
We don’t recommend dyeing your dog’s fur, but if you really must have pink poodle, try this sweet and pretty cocktail instead! Combine all the ingredients into an ice-filled shaker and give it a little shake. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a twist of lime or a cherry, and voilà, you have a Pink Poodle!
Colorado Bulldog
- 1 oz vodka
- 1 oz coffee liqueur
- 2 oz cream (or milk)
- 2 oz cola
A White Russian with a fizzy twist? Yes, please! Add ice, vodka and coffee liqueur into your glass. Next, add the cola and stir. Top off with cream and drop in a maraschino cherry.
Bulldog Highball
- 2 oz gin
- Juice of 1/2 orange (1 oz orange juice)
- Ginger ale
If you like mimosas, you’ll enjoy the Bulldog Highball. Pour gin and juice from orange into a highball glass filled with ice. Top off with ginger ale and stir. Garnish with a lemon or orange wedge.
Regal Beagle
- 1/3 oz blended whisky
- 1/3 oz peach schnapps
- 1/3 oz sweet and sour mix
Equaling 1 ounce, the Regal Beagle is really a “pony shot” instead of a cocktail, but you don’t mind, do you? Okay, good. Simply mix ingredients over ice and pour into a tall shot glass and you’re done. Enjoy!
And for the Dogs?!
Water. Clean, fresh and cool water. Yep, a well hydrated pup is a happy pup. And nothing really compares to water for your dog. But if you want to liven up your furry friend’s H2O for cocktail hour, infuse some fruit into a pitcher of filtered water, or better yet, whip up a batch of agua fresca! Both are super easy to make, and not only are they healthy for your dog, but they are healthy for you as well!
Please note that some fruits are extremely toxic to dogs (I’m looking at you, grapes!) so it’s important to learn what fruits are safe for your dog to consume. Citrus fruits should also be avoided, as they contain essential oils and a substance called psoralens, both of which are toxic and can cause digestive symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting.
Dog-friendly fruits to that you can use are apples, bananas, blackberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, cranberries, cucumber (technically a fruit), honeydew, kiwis, mango, pears, raspberries, strawberries and watermelon. Some of these fruits pair very well together, and some combinations can even benefit from the addition of non-toxic herbs like basil and mint.
Fruit Infused Water
Float your chosen ingredients in a pitcher (or use an infusion pitcher) of filtered water. Infuse for at least 3 to 4 hours in the refrigerator – up to 12 hours for bold flavor. It’s best to remove fruit from water after infusion to prevent fruit decomposition. And it’s best to drink fresh, but if stored in the fridge, you (and your pup) can sip on it for a couple of days.
Agua Frescas
Unlike fruit infused water, agua frescas blend the flesh of a fruit with water, so you’re going to need a blender. And I would suggest using either watermelon or cantaloupe because they are both high in water content and are easy to break down. Simply slice your melon, discard the seeds and remove the fruit from the rind. Cut fruit into cubes and toss into a blender with fresh mint leaves. Purée until smooth. You can strain this mixture or leave pulp in. Add water, chill and serve!
Warning: Alcoholic drinks are for human consumption only. Alcohol is toxic to dogs – and cats!
Disclaimer: ZippyPaws does not endorse drinking in excess or consuming alcohol if you are below the legal drinking age. And we definitely don’t want anyone operating any type of vehicle while under the influence alcohol. Got it? Good human.
