The Paloma

My brother and sister-in-law gave me one of the best gifts ever when they gifted me with a copy of Shake: A New Perspective on Cocktails along with the most amazing Mason Jar Cocktail Shaker, Hardwood Muddler and Double Jigger.  The book is a must-have for anyone interested in engineering their own cocktails.  It provides what they refer to as Cocktail Crafting 101 - the essentials you need for stocking your bar, the appropriate glassware to pair with the right cocktail, provides pros and cons of cubed ice vs. crushed ice and even more!  I love the way the book is exceptionally organized into cocktails by season - incorporating seasonal herbs, fruit and spirits into artfully crafted cocktails.

As the air turned cooler one September day, I was inspired to whip up my own cocktail.  I'm constantly looking for a new twist on a classic margarita and The Paloma quenched that for me.  And, in my opinion, a margarita is always a good idea!

To make your own Paloma, you'll need -

• 1/4 cup tequila
• 1/4 cup club soda
• 1/4 cup grapefruit juice
• 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 1 tsp sugar
• Plate with sea salt
• Grapefruit wedge (optional)

Start by combining the grapefruit juice, lime juice and sugar into a cocktail shaker.  Shake/stir until the sugar dissolves.  Next, add tequila, club soda and ice.  Give it another shake!  

To prepare your cocktail glass, sprinkle sea salt onto a small plate, cut a juicy grapefruit in half and then rub the edge of the glass on cut grapefruit to wet and then rub the rim of the glass in the salt.  

Clink a few ice cubes into your cocktail glass and pour.  If you're feeling fancy, you can garnish with a wedge of grapefruit.

Warning - you may not be able to drink just one!

*This particular recipe was not included Shake but rather incorporated from a recipe in Bon Appetit.