Cocktail: The Paloma  

Ingredients: 2oz. Blanco Tequila, 0.5oz. Fresh Lime Juice, Grapefruit Soda, Lime Wedge for Garnish  

Directions: In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add tequila and lime juice. Shake and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Top with grapefruit soda and garnish with lime.  

Bartender Reaction: I do not care for grapefruit. I do not care for grapefruit flavored drinks. But I do like Fresca, the grapefruit/citrus flavored soda. What can I say? I am a man defined by contradictions.  

Recently, we hosted a movie night/dinner party at our apartment. I love gatherings such as these, because they give me the opportunity to play bartender. I knew I did not want to spend all night making drinks. Before my love of cocktails, I am a cinephile who hates missing key plot points. With this in mind, I reached for something simple.  

Thumbing through my recipe books, I came across a cocktail classic, The Paloma. At first, I hesitated to make something where grapefruit was the star of the show. Then, I remembered my old friend, Fresca.  

In the kitchen, I whipped up a batch for my friends. Then I spread them around the room, offered a toast, and drank. For me, Fresca saves the day. Coupled with lime and tequila, this version of The Poloma is sweet, with just a subtle hint of bitterness. This is a perfect recipe for those of us who do not care for grapefruit.  

Be good to each other,  

Nathan