If you like a tart, sweet, spicy, refreshing cocktail, look no further. The Spicy Salty Dog Cocktail is made with vodka, pink grapefruit juice, jalapenos and splash of lime – cheers!

I like a cocktail with a little zing. The Spicy Salty Dog Cocktail brings it all home – the tartness of pink grapefruit, the warmth of vodka, the saltiness of the salted rim and then a little spice with sliced jalapenos.

Jalapenos

Let’s talk about handling jalapenos. Although jalapenos are not at the top of the list when it comes to really hot peppers, they can easily burn if you touch your face, eyes, or any other part of your body after slicing them…even if you wash your hands. The reason jalapenos burn is because of the capsaicin, which is an element in the chili peppers. Water actually spreads the capsaicin so washing your hands is not an effective way to stop the burning.

My solution…wear gloves when every you are going to cut or slice jalapenos or any other chili pepper. I buy the same gloves that are used by medical personnel. And I buy them in bulk, at a big box store. I keep the box in my kitchen, so I can just grab them when I needed them.

Believe me, using gloves has really saved me!

Make the spicy salty dog a mocktail!

There are a lot of people who chose not to drink cocktails…and why should they miss out on a refreshing and fun drink?

Here’s how to make sure they can enjoy the Spicy Salty Dog “Cocktail” (Mocktail) too:

Substitute the vodka or lemon-lime soda or 7Up. It’ that easy!

Can I use fresh grapefruit juice?

Of course you can!

In fact, I use fresh juice in most of my cocktails. And while I used fresh lime juice in this drink, I did use bottled pink grapefruit juice for this recipe. The reason I used bottled pink grapefruit juice is that I like the vibrant pink color. No other reason, I just like drinks and cocktails that are bright and colorful.