Strawberry Island Paloma Recipe

Optional rim

If you want a salted or sugared rim, rub a lime wedge around the glass lip, then dip the rim into coarse salt or sugar (about 0.5 tsp). Set the glass aside.

Fill a highball or Collins glass with ice to chill while you build the drink.

In a cocktail shaker, add 2 oz Towpath Silver Rum, 1 oz strawberry puree, 0.75 oz fresh lime juice, and 0.5 oz simple syrup.

Fill the shaker with ice (about 4–6 large cubes), secure the lid, and shake vigorously for 10–12 seconds until well chilled and slightly frothy from the puree.

Dump the ice from the chilled glass and add fresh ice (about 1 cup). Strain the shaken mixture into the prepared glass over the fresh ice using a Hawthorne strainer.

Top gently with 3 oz chilled grapefruit soda. Stir once or twice gently with a bar spoon to integrate the soda without flattening it.

Garnish with a halved or sliced fresh strawberry and a lime wheel on the rim or floated on top.

Serve immediately with a straw or cocktail pick. Recommend tasting and adjusting: if you prefer sweeter, add 0.25 oz more simple syrup; if brighter, add 0.25 oz more lime juice.