Every so often, a product comes into my life that I feel justified in promoting. It either makes my life easier, more enjoyable or enhances some aspect of my world. The diaper genie though it has had its challenges, steeped tea at Tim Horton’s which eliminated the lengthy wait and unbalanced flavour from the cup so hot you couldn’t touch, and introduced a few years ago, Absolut Ruby Red grapefruit vodka, served with tonic water and the juice squeezed from a fresh lime, my favourite summer cocktail.

It was brought to my attention early last week when a friend was shopping for a bottle of her own prior to a week away at a cottage, she was told at the check-out that Absolut’s Ruby Red grapefruit vodka had been discontinued. I was immediately notified by my friend, we dropped everything and began to busily devise a plan.

This friend was told by the cashier there were NO BOTTLES left anywhere and that she would not be able to source any.

The first call I made was to my local LCBO asking if they would confirm or deny the rumour and to find out if they had any left in stock. Apparently, my friend’s story held water, (perhaps tonic) and in fact, we might be looking at a dry summer, though our medications would now work to their full potential given almost all over-the-counter drugs deter you from mixing with grapefruit juice.

After being corporately discontinued due to lack of sales, (how is that possible?) we were faced with a dilemma. I pressed the clerk with several “how do I?” “where do I?” type questions until they recognized a pathetic situation for what it was and decided to help.

There were two bottles of Ruby Red in the province, both in London, store #26, my next call.

Darryl at store #26 did a quick glance and confirmed he had two bottles but refused to hold either. I immediately sent my friend’s husband to pick up the bottles. He claimed one and we agreed to split the winnings, bottle to be exchanged on common soil, at a date to be determined.

I couldn’t let it go. Somebody dropped the bottle on this one and I was not going to scrimp and lick the neck of the last ruby red without a fight.

I remembered a man I worked with at a restaurant while in University who was double fisting at the LCBO as well as serving tables. I found him, he still worked at the LCBO and he remembered me.

I cannot stress this enough. Always have a friend on the inside when it comes to your favourite alcoholic beverage.

He sourced 8 bottles at a store a million miles away and put in a call. They agreed to ship the bottles provided I was willing to take all 8, a laughable request, I would have taken 8 cases.

With my picture on the wall for buying 8 bottles of vodka for personal use, I have 8 summers to enjoy, enhance and hope to find something comparable….perhaps that when shaken, is a better side for anti-fungal cream.