Recognized as one of Toronto’s top mixologists, Moses McIntee has poured drinks at a who’s who list of sundown spots: Lucid, the Ritz-Carlton and Museum Tavern. Most recently, McIntee took the reins at Paese, where he’s built a well thought-out cocktail menu of crowd-pleasing libations.

The newest addition is the so-called Napoli Reposado ($14). Inspired by the Paloma — a classic cocktail that pairs tequila with grapefruit — McIntee starts by torching salted grapefruit segments with — what else? — a blowtorch.

“This intensifies the flavour,” he says, “bringing out the sugars in the grapefruit and infusing the salt.”

After muddling the fruit, the drink is loaded up with Cazadores Reposado tequila, lemon juice, rosemary-infused limoncello and crushed ice. The finishing touch? Fire and Damnation bitters, imbued with capsaicin spice and smoke.

Paese, 333 King St. W., 416-599-6585

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