Gina: I love a little bit of whimsy, and what better time for that than when you are kicking back with your man enjoying a cocktail? I didn’t think Pat would be too keen on sipping a pink drink, so I made his bright blue. Both variations are potent and delish, so just pick the flavor (or color) that suits your mood (or matches your shoes or your handbag . . .).

Ingredients

Hers

　　1/4 cup pink sanding sugar (see note)

　　2 ounces best-quality silver tequila (I like Patrón)

　　1 ounce Grand Marnier

　　2 ounces fresh lime juice

　　1/2 ounce grenadine

　　Lime wedges, for garnish

His

　　1/4 cup blue sanding sugar (see note)

　　2 ounces best-quality silver tequila (I like Patrón)

　　1 ounce blue Curaçao

　　1 ounce Grand Marnier

　　2 ounces fresh lime juice

　　Combine the salt and pink sanding sugar, and then the salt and blue sanding sugar, in two separate saucers. Fill another saucer with water. Dip the rim of each of two glasses in the water, then the salt-and-sugar to coat. Combine the ingredients for each cocktail into two separate cocktail shakers filled with ice. Shake well, and pour into the salt-and-sugar-rimmed cocktail glasses.

　　Cooks' Note

　　Sanding sugar has a slightly larger grain than granulated sugar, and it’s got a great sparkle to it. It’s available in assorted colors at baking supply stores, or online at, among other sites, www.kingarthurflour.com.

　　From Down Home with the Neelys by Patrick and Gina Neely Copyright (c) 2009 by Patrick and Gina Neely Published by Knopf.Patrick and Gina Neely are owners of Neely's Bar-B-Que in Memphis and hosts of several Food Network shows, including the series Down Home with the Neelys, one of the highest-rated programs to debut on the popular Food Network. High school sweethearts who reconciled at their ten-year reunion, they have been married since 1994. They live in Memphis with their two daughters.Paula Disbrowe collaborated with Susan Spicer on Crescent City Cooking and is the author of Cowgirl Cuisine.