{Thirsty Thursday} Ruby Red Swizzle

Today is the beginning of a new series here on Design Fixation, called Thirsty Thursdays. I’ll be sharing inspired original cocktail recipes using interesting and sometimes unexpected ingredients. For many years I’ve enjoyed experimenting with craft cocktail recipes – and now I’m sharing my concoctions with you!

My first Thirsty Thursday drink is called the Ruby Red Swizzle. A traditional Gin Swizzle is made with lime juice, sugar, club soda and bitters, but I’ve mixed things up a bit with some new ingredients. Instead of lime juice, the citrus comes from red grapefruit juice and a bit of lemon.

So without further adieu, I introduce to you the Ruby Red Swizzle. Here are the ingredients:

– 2 oz. gin (I like Death’s Door)
– 1 oz. Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
– 2 oz. fresh grapefruit juice
– 1 oz. fresh lemon juice
– 1/2 oz. simple syrup
– A dash or two Angostura Bitters
– A splash of club soda

Begin by pouring all ingredients except the club soda into a shaker. Add ice and shake until your hands feel much too cold. Pour into a highball glass over ice. Top with club soda and garnish with a grapefruit wedge and a sprig of rosemary.

Sometimes people overlook garnishes, but they’re often an important part of the sensory reaction to a drink… you always smell a drink before you taste it. In this case, the combination of the rosemary and the grapefruit complement the herbal aroma of the gin perfectly.

The Luxardo and the simple syrup give this drink a hint of sweetness, balanced by the citrus… and the club soda lightens it up. The perfect spring drink! Does it sound good to you? If you try it, let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.

If you liked this post (or if you don’t like grapefruit), check out my other Thirsty Thursday cocktail recipes right here.

All images by me.

xo,
Faith
{Design Fixation}