Dranks! - Grapefruit Drop

Summertime is the right time for tart, citric dranks. Lemon drop martinis are classic for a reason—mainly, because they are delicious and refreshing—but have you ever considered switching to grapefruit?

Yes, I know grapefruit can be difficult. On it’s own it’s usually bitter, though I’ve had some grapefruit that were heckin’ sweet with that twisty grapefruit funk lingering in the background. And that funk is a flavor that you smell as much as taste, so it can go up your nose and stay there long after your grapefruit is gone. Acquired taste? Yeah, sure, I suppose. Love it? You bet.

First, make a simple syrup. Simple syrup is called so because it’s super-simple to make. Take equal parts water and sugar, and warm them together so the sugar melts into the water. Remove from heat et voila! Syrup. I made a small amount of syrup—1/4 cup sugar and 1/4 cup water—and let it steep with a teaspoon of dried grapefruit peel to infuse the syrup with extra grapefruity flavor. Normally, simple syrup will last about a month in the fridge; infused with peel, it has a shorter shelf life so make it in smaller amounts and FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY don’t leave it on the counter for two weeks or it will go moldy and stink like crazy. Trust me on this. I take the risks so you don’t have to.

Once your syrup is cooled, pulverize some more grapefruit peel with demerara sugar and, if you have it, a touch of citric acid. Dip the rim of a cocktail glass in some lemon juice and coat the rim with the pulverized peel. Then take:

• 1 1/2 ounces grapefruit vodka

• 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice or lime juice, or a combination of both

• 1/2 ounce triple sec

• 1/2 ounce simple syrup

and put it in a cocktail mixer. Shake vigorously, until the frost from the ice starts to climb on the outside of the shaker, then pour into your waiting glass. Garnish with something fun and fruity. I used a lime wheel because that’s what I had on hand, but if you want a lemon wedge, or a grapefruit twist, then you do you.

And so we have it. Fruity. Bold. Refreshing. A grapefruit drop for the ages, ready to offer up some cool, tart refreshment on a hot summer night.