Calories:150
Fat:0g
Protein:0g
Carbohydrates:15g
Alcohol %:14
I fell in love with the art of mixology 6 years ago. Since then, I've honed my skills, crafting a myriad of cocktail recipes, and sharing my passion with other enthusiasts.
Last Updated: January 7, 2024
The Salty Balls cocktail is a modern creation, inspired by the salty and sweet flavor combination that has become increasingly popular in recent years. It's a favorite among those who enjoy a balance of flavors in their cocktails, with the saltiness enhancing the sweetness and vice versa.
Origin: Modern, unknown creator
Ideal for: Those who enjoy sweet and salty flavors
Served: On the rocks
Strength: Medium
The Salty Balls cocktail is a delightful blend of sweet, salty, and slightly bitter flavors. The sweetness of the liqueur is perfectly balanced by the saltiness of the rim, while the bitterness of the grapefruit juice adds a refreshing twist.
Grapefruit juice is the citrus backbone of the Salty Balls cocktail, providing a sweet yet tart kick. If you use more than 2oz, the drink could become overly acidic, overshadowing the other flavors. Less, and you might not balance the tequila's robustness. Without it, you'd miss the 'zing'! An alternative could be orange juice for a sweeter, less tart flavor.
The heart and soul of our Salty Balls, 1.5oz of tequila gives just enough agave punch without knocking your taste buds out. Too much and you're diving into a boozy overload, too little and the drink becomes a timid shadow of its potential. Skip it, and you've got non-alcoholic grapefruit juice - not so 'ballsy'. You could swap for mezcal if you want a smokier twist.
At 0.5oz, agave nectar gently sweetens the deal, rounding out the sharpness of grapefruit and salt. More and it'd be too syrupy, less and you might pucker up with every sip. Ditching it completely is an open invitation for a tart-tongue face. Honey could be a substitute for a different kind of sweetness.
The namesake's 'Salty', the salt rim is not just for kicks—it contrasts and accentuates the sweet and sour elements of the drink. Without it, the cocktail would be like a beach without the sea—missing its defining edge. No salt, no Salty Balls. Opt for Himalayan pink salt for an Instagram-worthy change that packs a mineral punch.
Why a ball? It's not just to look cool—it melts slower than cubes, keeping your drink chilled, not watered down. No ice ball means a fast-diluting drink, compromising the robust flavors. Switching to regular ice cubes is perfectly acceptable, just expect a quicker watering down of your Salty Balls.
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Insert the spoon into the glass until it touches the bottom. Keep the back of the spoon against the inside wall of the glass, and stir in a smooth, circular motion. The goal is to swirl the ice and ingredients together without churning or splashing.
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Any variety of grapefruit works well, but ruby or pink grapefruit can add a bit of color and sweetness to the cocktail.
Yes, but the salt rim is an essential part of the cocktail's flavor profile. Without it, the drink may lose its signature balance of sweet and salty.
To make a non-alcoholic Salty Balls, simply substitute the tequila with a non-alcoholic spirit or skip it altogether. The grapefruit juice and agave nectar will still make for a refreshing drink.
A wide-mouthed glass like a rocks glass or an old-fashioned glass is best to accommodate the ice ball and provide a generous surface area for the salt rim.
Rub the edge of the glass with a grapefruit wedge to make it sticky, then dip it into a shallow dish of salt. You can also rotate the glass in salt for a heavier coating.
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