Travel to the subtropics without ever leaving your glass.

Clive Watson | Contributor

Take a look at this little eye-catcher: it just may be the star of your next soiree. This isn't one of those see-through cocktails, the ones that resemble colored glass — but it isn't opaque either. Its electric hues promise intensity, and the way it catches and holds the light suggests a playful mystique. I'm happy to report it delivers on both fronts.

Named for the Miami Beach hotel bar where it originated, this cocktail is the perfect complement to (or substitute for) a seaside getaway. Without further ado:

The Astor Martini

2 ounces Ketel One vodka
3/4 ounce Campari
1 ounce ruby red grapefruit juice

Shake with ice and then strain into a well chilled martini glass. (Adapted from Gary Regan's The Joy of Mixology).

The Astor Martini really is a splash of summer, evoking holidays in balmy, exotic climates not just with citrus, but also with the confounding allure of Campari. This bright red liqueur, revered for its mystifying yet distinctive blend of herbal ingredients, is iconic of the great Italian vacation. And though I'm not particularly well-traveled, I can tell you this: it really does taste better in an open air cafe on the Fondamenta overlooking the Venetian lagoon.

But beyond mere exoticism, Campari brings a lively edge of bitterness to the sweet/tart balance of fresh grapefruit, making for a truly superb aperitif. Once these bolder flavors have aroused your slumbering palate, a host of secret herbal and aromatic notes will continue to delight and elude you for as long as you allow the finish to linger.

Clive Watson stirs, shakes, strains, savors and waxes incoherent at triplesequitur.com.