Bartender Phil Ford sees it all the time: “What is that?’’ a patron will ask him when the Beets by Trade cocktail passes by. Fellow bartender Steven Galgano created this candy-colored but earthy drink that recently went on the menu at Trade. (The name is a pun on Beats by Dre headphones.) The secret ingredient is a beet-cucumber simple syrup, and it’s easy to make: Mash one cup of diced cooked beets with half a diced cucumber, then double strain into a basic simple syrup. James reed

BEETS BY TRADE

Makes 1 cocktail

1½ ounces Bully Boy vodka

1½ ounces fresh lime juice

½ ounce fresh pineapple juice

1 ounce beet-cucumber simple syrup

1 mint sprig (for garnish)

1. In a shaker filled with ice, combine vodka, juices, and simple syrup. Shake for a few seconds.

2. Double strain into a highball glass with ice.

3. Garnish with mint. Adapted from Trade

James Reed can be reached at jreedwrites@gmail.com.