The Greyhound cocktail is nothing more than a perfect blend of grapefruit juice and your choice of vodka or gin, despite its simplicity, it has a refreshing tart taste that has stood the test of time. The creation of this classic cocktail can be traced back to the initial use of grapefruit juice as a mixer during the early 20th century.

Renowned bartender, Harry Craddock referenced it in his famous The Savoy Cocktail Book published in the year 1930, making it one of the first known print records of this cocktail. The mentioned recipe builds upon the Grapefruit Cocktail - another delightful concord slight variation of gin, fresh lemon juice, and grapefruit jelly, bears a closer resemblance to the Greyhound we are familiar with today.

As stated by Craddock in his book, "This simple cocktail may seem innocent, yet can sometimes prove to be quite a bite." His described the recipe for the Grapefruit Cocktail, prefaced with three and a half glasses of gin and the juice squeezed out of 1½ generously-sized grapefruit. Sugar, copious amounts of ice are added as per one's taste, then shaken and served.

Interestingly, the drink acquired the name "Greyhound" in the later part of the 1930s when it became the highlight of the menu in a network of restaurants known as The Post House - owned and operated by the Greyhound company at its bus terminals throughout the nation. The simple yet invigorating drink's fame has exponentially grown since then.

Vodka took the lead as the preferred spirit in the Greyhound around the 1950s, superseding gin, which was the predominant choice earlier.

Two-ingredient cocktails are popular among both professional bartenders and home dabblers as they are not only cost-effective but can be quickly mixed. Moreover, the taste can vary significantly depending on the chosen components.

When making a Greyhound, remember that the choice of ingredients greatly impacts the taste. The best base spirit for this cocktail is either a quality vodka or gin. While gin will impart a beautiful blend of botanical notes and elevate the citrusy flavor in the juice, vodka will give a potent kick sans the added flavor.

In the Greyhound cocktail, the grapefruit juice does a lot of work and should always be freshly squeezed for best results. The ratio of spirit to juice can be adjusted as per your preference.

Ready to try it at home? Here's the simple recipe. You’ll need 1 1/2 ounces of vodka or gin, 4 ounces of fresh grapefruit juice, and a lime wheel for garnish. Start by filling a rocks or narrow highball glass with ice. Add your spirit of choice and the freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, stir gently, and garnish with a lime wheel. Enjoy!