Ocean Spray Ruby Red

Ocean Spray Ruby Red is a ruby red grapefruit juice drink sold in the mixer aisle, and that placement tells you how to use it. Grapefruit juice drinks in this style typically taste tart, a little bitter and citrusy, with a sweetness that softens the pith edge without hiding it. Expect a pink-to-coral colour and a clean, sharp finish. Because it is a juice drink and not a pure pressed juice, it is generally lighter and more sweetened than fresh-squeezed grapefruit. That makes it easy to pour into a highball without balancing it first. Serve it cold, straight from the fridge, and over plenty of ice. Dilution flattens grapefruit flavour quickly, so a full glass of ice will hold the taste longer than a few cubes will. If you want fizz, top the drink with soda water or a grapefruit-friendly sparkling water, rather than adding a sweetened soda that competes with the fruit. The classic use is the Greyhound, which is vodka and grapefruit juice over ice. Add a salted rim and it becomes a Salty Dog. Gin works especially well, because juniper and citrus peel sit comfortably alongside grapefruit's bitterness. Tequila is the other strong match: a Paloma built with blanco tequila, a squeeze of lime, a pinch of salt and a splash of soda water is a natural fit for a juice drink like this one. You can also go lighter and pair it with prosecco or another dry sparkling wine for a spritz-style drink. A rule of thumb is about 1.5 to 2 ounces of spirit to 3 to 4 ounces of juice drink. Taste, then adjust, as sweetness varies between juice drinks and each person's palate. For glassware, use a highball or Collins glass for tall drinks, or a rocks glass for shorter pours. A wedge of lime or a grapefruit wheel makes a sensible garnish, since both reinforce the flavours already in the glass. For food, the tartness works against salty and fatty dishes, such as grilled shrimp, fish tacos, ceviche, salty snacks and spicy chicken. Without alcohol, it works as a simple spritzer over ice with soda water and a lime wedge.