Ruby Rita

The RUBY RITA is a grapefruit margarita to embellish our margarita experience as Memorial Day and warm weather approach. It’s got the tequila and orange liqueur of the standard margarita, but adds fresh grapefruit juice for a refreshing twist. Lime juice is optional. The preferred tequila is gold Reposado and the preferred orange liqueur, Cointreau.

• 1.5 oz. gold tequila
• .75 oz. Cointreau
• 1.5 oz. fresh grapefruit juice (the Ruby Red sweet grapefruits recommended)
• 1/2 teaspoon agave syrup (optional depending on sweetness of grapefruit)
• .5 oz. lime juice (optional)
• lime wedge for garnish

Moisten the rim of a rocks glass with grapefruit juice and press into salt. Fill the glass with ice cubes. Add the liquid ingredients to an ice-filled shaker, double straining the grapefruit juice to remove small seeds and pulp. Shake to chill and strain into the prepared rocks glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Comments: Most people enjoy the addition of lime to this drink. If lime is available, you can mix it into the shaker with a squeeze of a lime wedge and add a grapefruit wedge for decoration, or skip the grapefruit decoration and provide the lime wedge as garnish. I would recommend Herradura Reposado, Don Julio Reposado or Suaza Gold for a good blend.