Bittersweet Heat

Despite the name (and the hot honey), this drink isn’t overtly spicy. Instead, the heat shows up briefly on the back of the palate, just enough to wake the senses and add a little bite to offset the absence of booze. The optional smoke adds a layer of complexity that isn’t required, but definitely gives the drink an extra oomph.

Recipe: Bittersweet Heat

Ingredients:

• 1 oz lime juice

• ¾ oz hot honey simple syrup (equal parts Melinda’s Hot Honey and water)

• 4 oz grapefruit juice(100% grapefruit, not a blend)

Build:

1. (Optional) Smoke a rocks glass.

2. Add lime juice, hot honey simple syrup, and grapefruit juice to a shaker tin with ice.

3. Shake well and strain into the (smoked) rocks glass over a large cube.

4. Garnish with a grapefruit twist.

5. Enjoy.