I'm fortunate enough to have a cocktail guru in my life. She works for the artisanal vodka company Heavy Water and when she's not travelling the world promoting the best thing to come out of Norway since she left the country many years ago for New York, she spends her time creating new concoctions for the company. Not a bad gig if you can get it. The trickle down effect of her fabulous job is that I always have someone to turn to when I need a cocktail recipe for a special occasion. Granted, the drink always includes vodka, but when it's as balanced, clean and refined as Heavy Water, who's complaining? Certainly not me.

I requested a recipe for a festive brunch where libations would start flowing early in the morning. It therefore had to be at least somewhat healthy as we wouldn't want guests feeling too guilty for drinking before they kicked their slippers off. I also wanted something infused with energy so as to pop sleepy eyes open and shake cloudy brains free of dreams.

This Grapefruit Ginger Cosmo was exactly what was required. It delivers the refreshing kick of grapefruit infused with the zip of ginger and a subtle minty note hovering in the background. Bright and vital, it's a nice alternative to a mimosa and is guaranteed to wake sleepy heads right up.

GRAPEFRUIT GINGER COSMO
The addition of champagne would add a nice sparkle and while I served it in a tumbler, the suggested martini glass would dress this pretty lady up mighty finely.

2 ½ oz Heavy Water vodka
2 oz fresh grapefruit juice
1 tsp finely chopped ginger
1/2 oz simple syrup (equal amounts sugar and water - boil water, add sugar and dissolve completely)
1/2 oz fresh lime juice
fresh mint, optional