Let’s Talk about Mixology, Part 51

by Amer A. Vargas

Grapefruit Paloma

Happy New Year!

As the holiday season comes to an end with the beginning of the new year, and indeed a new decade, we return to daily routines and most likely have a bag full of good intentions and resolutions – one of which can probably be found on the mind of more than one person: “This year I’m going to lose some weight!”

In case you are one of those, you probably want to take a look at your intake, as well as at your active undertakings. Whilst I leave the second to you, here I propose a low-cal cocktail to keep you enjoying and amusing your palate, while at the same time helping you conquer some of your weight loss goals.

The overall concept here is to try and use freshly squeezed juice instead of pre-processed ones (like most canned or bottled soda drinks, unless you use plain soda, which is basically fizzy water).

This is what you need to prepare the Grapefruit Paloma:

• Salt flakes
• a grapefruit wedge
• 6 cl./2 oz. of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
• 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 teaspoon of sugar
• 6 cl./2 oz. of tequila
• 6 cl./2 oz. of club soda

And this is how you prepare it: first, put the salt flakes on a plate, rub the rim of the glass with the grapefruit wedge and dip the rim in the salt. Then, combine the grapefruit and lime juices with the sugar in the glass and stir until the sugar has dissolved. This sugar is not meant to sweeten the mix, but to “kill” the bitterness of the grapefruit a bit; if the drinker likes bitter drinks, sugar can be skipped completely. Finally, add the tequila and some ice, stir and top up with the club soda. Finish by garnishing with the grapefruit wedge. And enjoy!

My best wishes to you for success with all your New Year’s resolutions! Cheers! (And remember to exercise!)

Mr. Vargas is the Institute’s President—feel free to contact him via email, AmerVargas @ modernbutlers.com

The Institute is dedicated to raising service standards by broadly disseminating the mindset and superior service expertise of that time-honored, quintessential service provider, the British Butler, updated with modern people skills, and adapted to the needs of modern employers and guests in staffed homes, luxury hotels, resorts, spas, retirement communities, jets, yachts & cruise ships around the world.