The Drifter Recipe

Combine sugar, water, and ground cinnamon in a small saucepan. Add a cinnamon stick if using.

Bring mixture to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat, stirring until sugar fully dissolves. Simmer 1–2 minutes to bloom the cinnamon flavor; do not boil vigorously.

Remove from heat and let steep 10–15 minutes for stronger cinnamon aroma, then discard the cinnamon stick if used.

Strain the syrup through a fine mesh strainer into a clean container. Cool completely before using. Stores refrigerated up to 2 weeks.

Prepare glass

Place 2 fresh ice cubes into an Old Fashioned glass (rocks glass) and set aside to chill while you mix the cocktail.

In a cocktail shaker, add 2 oz Ritual Zero Proof Whiskey Alternative, 2 oz fresh ruby grapefruit juice, 1 oz almond milk, 0.5 oz cinnamon syrup, and 0.25 oz fresh lemon juice.

Add 6 ice cubes to the shaker. If using bitters, add 1 dash now.

Seal the shaker and shake vigorously for 10–15 seconds until the outside of the shaker feels cold and slightly frosty. The almond milk will emulsify with the juices, giving the cocktail a silky texture.

Discard the ice from the chilled serving glass. Strain the cocktail into the glass over the reserved fresh ice cubes. Use a fine (Hawthorne + mesh) strain if available to catch tiny ice shards and any solids.

Garnish with a grapefruit twist or a thin wheel on the rim. Lightly dust the top with a pinch of ground cinnamon for aroma. Serve immediately.