Cocktails: Pink Sunset, Grapefruit + Jalapeño Cocktail

If you love spice and tart then the Pink Sunset, featuring fresh squeezed grapefruit + jalapeño, is the perfect cocktail for you.  This cocktail does not call for sugar which I really appreciate a flavor profile that lets me cut more sugar out of my diet.  The fresh citrus plays off of the heat of the jalapeño really well.  If you prefer a little sweetness with your tart, then by all means you can go ahead and add some simple syrup or agave syrup (proportions listed below).  It tastes great either way, it’s just a matter of preference.  The warming weather and longer days inspired the Pink Sunset, Grapefruit + Jalapeño Cocktail.  My wife, Lynette, and I created this together. The light pink glow reminds us of the color of the sky and ocean as the sunsets over the beach, here, where we’re isolating in Southampton.  With all the chaos and uncertainty of this global pandemic, we wanted to create a cocktail that celebrates the feeling of fully appreciating nature, and the new spring season.  Here’s to your health! Cheers and wishing everyone a wonderful week ahead.

Pink Sunset (grapefruit + jalapeño cocktail) Ingredients

• 1 grapefruit

• 1 lime

• two thin round slices of jalapeño

• 2 ounces of vodka

• salt for the rim

• ice

• optional, 1/4 ounce simple syrup or agave syrup

Pink Sunset (grapefruit + jalapeño cocktail) Instructions

• Muddle the  jalapeño rounds into the cocktail shaker

• Add ice

• cut the grapefruit in half.  Being sure to strain any seeds, juice half of the grapefruit into the cocktail shaker (approximately 1/2 cup of juice if you’re using pre-juiced grapefruit). Cut the other half into cubes and rim your cocktail glass with the juice of one grapefruit slice and salt. Set remaining slices aside for garnish or put away for later use.

• Add vodka to the shaker and, straining any seeds, the juice of one whole lime

• shake all ingredients together and pour into cocktail glass