We recently spent some three weeks in my second hometown of Cebu, where time with my parents and family is always worth it. We love to eat out and loved the burgers at Fat Cow, and the Mexican restaurant and bar right next to it, called Pueblo Mexicano. I also happily ran into Carla, one of my best childhood friends, whose husband Joel owns the restaurant, Pino.

Carla recommended the Guava Margarita with Tamarind Salt. Margarita isn’t my drink, but this one was delicious, refreshing, and with a twist that makes it special. And I couldn’t wait to try and make it at home.

Homemade Limoncello, that beloved Italian liqueur served mainly as an after-dinner digestive, is laborious, almost artisanal. You carefully peel the lemon rind to pithless perfection, and let it steep in vodka for anywhere from 4 to 10 days. But yesterday was supposedly the hottest day in Manila this summer yet. And with no sign of reprieve from this crazy heat, I just went ahead and took some short cuts. I wanted the flavors of limoncello, but like a cocktail, and in a bigger glass.