This has been one of the hottest summers I can remember for a while – or else I just have selective memory.

All I know is that my walk home from work has become of feat of strength worthy of an award.

If commuting during an NYC summer was an Olympic event, I’d be a gold medalist – a very sweaty one.

Anyway, because it’s hot as hell and because we made it to Friday, I think we deserve a drink.

Specifically, a sparkling grapefruit cocktail.

I was a little skeptical of the amount of work required, at first – I mean, a cocktail that takes 40 minutes to make?? But the results are well worth it and you’re only doing things in your hot kitchen for about 10 minutes.

Then you’re sipping a bubbly drink with your face exactly 2 centimeters from the air conditioner. Sounds like heaven, right?

Sparkling grapefruit cocktail
(From Bon Appétit)

Alcohol measurements are for 1 cocktail
Makes enough syrup for about 4 drinks

2 large grapefruits – 1 is for the syrup, one is for garnish
1/4 cups sugar
2 ounces gin
1/2 ounce lemon juice
2 ounces sparkling wine

Remove the zest and a little of the white pith from the grapefruit using a vegetable peeler.

To make the syrup, combine sugar and 1/4 cup water to a boil and stir until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and add grapefruit zest, pushing it down to submerge it. Let it sit for 30 minutes the. Remove zest, straining if necessary.

Combine gin, lemon juice and 1/2 ounce syrup in a shaker with ice and shake until cold.

Pour into a glass filled with ice and top with sparkling wine. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge.

Sparkling grapefruit cocktail: http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/sparkling-grapefruit-gin-cocktail