Drink of the Week: Ruby Red Tini at the Blue Laguna

The Ruby Red Tini comes to us courtesy of the Blue Laguna. Yes, the hotel bar in the Holiday Inn at 696 S. Coast Highway. It turned out to be a perfect spot to chill, with booths just the right size and a DJ spinning some tunes (though not too loud).

We originally ordered the Blue Laguna Martini, as we seek to sample all the signature cocktails in Laguna, but our companion smartly suggested we also order the $11 Ruby Red Tini. (We were disappointed by the Blue Laguna Martini, which reminded us a bit of a Jolly Rancher.) 

Ingredients: 
Finlandia Grapefruit Fusion
Cranberry juice
Simple syrup 
Sugar (and salt?) rim

The Ruby Red Tini is a smart riff on the cosmopolitan, which usually uses a lemon- or orange-based liqueur and Cointreau. But using Finlandia Grapefruit Fusion as the base makes for a bit of tartness that is complemented by the splash of cranberry juice, which gives cosmopolitans their color. A wonderfully citrusy smell greets your olfactory nerve as you tip it into your mouth. And the sugar rim also seemed to have a bit of salt on it, a flavor combination that works well in this drink. The Ruby Red Tini can only be described like a good boyfriend: sweet, though not too sweet, and smooth.