We are always in favor of cocktails that are bigger than your head.

It’s giant, it’s red, it’s smoking, it’s bubbling and oh God, what else do you need after that?

Smokin’ Hot Aces at The Venetian brings out the heavy-duty party drink with their appropriately named Smokin’ Hot Ace. You’re going to need a friend or a drinking problem to knock it down, though.

Start with a sizable hunk of dry ice in an oversized, 48-ounce cocktail glass. Throw some ice in there and then line the rim of the glass with slices of blood orange. Pour in four ounces of Finlandia grapefruit vodka, two ounces of Alize Red Passion, two ounces of Monin blood orange syrup and top it all with lemon-lime soda. Throw in a couple of straws and bring in a couple of people to help you polish it off. The driving force behind it was simple.

“Two things: Red and smoking,” General Manager Marty Helfand said. “When we picked this syrup, the blood orange, we decided to garnish with the blood orange. It could also be garnished with red grapefruit.”

It’s reminiscent of old-school lava bowls without the big mess o’ rum. The Ace has a sharp and dry citrus kick to it, with a lightly sweet finish. Which makes it suited perfectly for sharing in groups — it has the broad appeal to quiet anyone at your table who might be picky.

By Jason Scavone

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