Grapefruit Bliss

Author Notes

Editing is exhausting, exacting work. Work that sometimes calls for lightening up with a little bit of boozy sweetness. For days when you're almost done work (but not just yet), and are dreaming of your beach weekend trips (but aren't there just yet), the Grapefruit Bliss is for you. The mix of sweet and tangy fresh grapefruit juice with mellower, fruity coconut liquor and just a hint of Grand Marnier and mint makes for a one-glass trip to a serene white-sand beach. A great light citrusy, slightly tropical drink that's nothing but fresh and light all the way through, the Grapefruit Bliss is something you'll never need to feel guilty about--whether you're spacing out on the couch, or serving it over brunch in the stead of plain (dare I say boring?) un-spiked juice.

I used locally grown and juiced grapefruit juice, which is by and far the best, but may be harder to come across for those outside Florida. If you can't find fresh, you may find yourself wanting to kick up some of the other ingredients (particularly the maple syrup) to balance out the flavors. It is also worth noting that I used an old bottle of something calling itself "Coco Bay Specialty Drink" which doesn't appear to be much more than a pina colada mixed drink without the pineapple. I can't determine whether it's a coconut rum, white rum mixed with coconut, or something else, but anything of a similar ABV (14%) and with a not-too-strong coconut flavor should work well if you can't find this stuff.

The one pictured above is a little more than half-empty (I just couldn't resist). For ease of measurements, the recipe makes two--and with this light of an alcohol content, who cares if you have a drinking partner? You can afford it! —Danielle