Relax with a soothing and strong cocktail at the Castle pool at Sanctuary Cap Cana.

Sometimes you just want a drink that brings you to a state of inner peace.  Think Zen like calm without meditation (and with a little collateral liver damage).  The Sanctuary is adapted from a cocktail at the wonderful Sanctuary Cap Cana resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.  Want some refuge from the trials and tribulations of life? Of course you do.

2 ounces light rum
1 ounce Cointreau
Juice from 1/4 a lime
2 dashes grapefruit and hops bitters from Bittered Sling

Combine in a shaker with ice, shake like a palm tree swaying in a stiff breeze coming off the ocean, and strain into a chilled glass.

The main pool at Sanctuary Cap Cana. Yes, the place really is that beautiful.

This cocktail is perfect for warm weather ...... or when you're dreaming of warm weather.  The grapefruit and hops bitters really bring the Sanctuary together.  If you can't get them, use two dashes of Bittered Sling's orange and juniper bitters or orange bitters.  

Sanctuary Cap Cana introduced me to Barcelo Imperial, a great Dominican rum.  During a recent trip I extensively sampled many Barcelo rums.  It reinforced the belief that I mentioned in connection with the In The Dominican -- Brugal is good, Barcelo is better. My wife and I can say that the name of the resort is very appropriate. Many thanks to Carlos and Emilio at the Castle rooftop bar, as well as the other nice people there who tolerated my attempts to speak Spanish. 

Go have a Sanctuary, and enter your personal sanctuary.