Mr. RC, aka the resident RC drink expert, is back with his latest Bar Cart beverage. On the menu this month- the perfect cocktail for celebrating Cinco de Mayo. Cheers!

Talk about a blast from the past

and allow myself to reintroduce... myself. For those of you new to Runway Chef, my name is Dave, aka Mr. RC, and other half to my lovely and talented partner in crime, Alyssa. While she is the true creative genius to this whole site, she sometimes allows me to be creative on some of my passions, in this case, cocktail creations via Mr. RC’s Bar Cart. Let’s dive in shall we!

A while back when the Mrs. was traveling in Australia, I did what any normal guy would do when left to their devices... sports, food, drinks (a dash of cleaning), sports, food, drinks, you get the idea. Stuck in the “drink” phase of this pattern, my inner creative (and thirst) was craving something fresh, tasty and different. I have been on quite the Paloma kick as of late, so I was thinking of ways I could put my own twist on this awesome cocktail. Enter my Blood Orange and Rosemary Paloma. It’s sweet and sour, fresh, easy on the eye and most of all super easy to make! So get your juicer and shaker ready for your next party, because once you make this for your friends, they won’t want to leave! Cheers!

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE ROSEMARY SIMPLE SYRUP

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 cup water

• 3-4 sprigs of fresh rosemary

FOR THE PALOMA

• 1 part tequila (preferably a white tequila)

• 2 parts blood orange juice (preferably fresh squeezed)

• 1/2 ounce rosemary simple syrup

• Club soda

• Sea salt, for rim of glass

DIRECTIONS

FOR THE ROSEMARY SIMPLE SYRUP

In a small sauce pan, add the sugar and water. Stir together until the sugar is fully dissolved and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, remove from the heat and place rosemary sprigs in pan. Let sit and cool for 30 minutes. Transfer to airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

FOR THE PALOMA

In a cocktail shaker, add ice, tequila, blood orange juice, and rosemary simple syrup and shake. Salt the rim of your serving glass, then fill with ice. Strain mixed cocktail over ice and top off with club soda. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary and/or a slice of of blood orange.