Destination: Cocktail

City Tavern in Culver City specializes in rustic American comfort food and has a breezy cocktail list to match. Mixologist Jeremy Back makes drinks laced with lots of light, fresh fruit juices and syrups, and gives them relaxing titles such as Front Porch Sippin and Cool Hand Luke. For White Sand Beach, he makes a mouthwatering watermelon shrub and stirs it up with tequila, soda water, orange bitters and a bit of lime zest.

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White Sand Beach by Jeremy Back

¾ ounce watermelon shrub (recipe below)

2 dashes orange bitters

1 ounce blanco tequila

2 ounces soda water

Sprite

Lime zest (for garnish)

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Put shrub, bitters and tequila into a tall glass with ice, stir until chilled and then strain. Top with soda water and a splash of Sprite, finish with fresh lime zest.

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Watermelon shrub

1 cup watermelon

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

Combine watermelon, sugar and salt in a sealed container and let rest for two to three days. Strain out watermelon and add balsamic vinegar, let sit for two more days in a cool, dry place.

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City Tavern, 9739 Culver Blvd., Culver City. (310) 838-9739; https://www.citytavernculvercity.com.

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jessica.gelt@latimes.com