I turned to David on my right, then to Bruce on my left, and broke the bad news to them.

"Gentlemen, we need to have a cocktail."

You see, being a New England travel writer, my head is always filled with interesting tidbits and trivia I've stumbled across. One of the most important ones I'd filed away in my cranial crevices was that a panel of Penthouse magazine judges had awarded the title of "world's most sensual cocktail" to Naked Fish Restaurants of Massachusetts. I'd have naturally thought that one had to travel to a lust-hot Caribbean isle, a ritzy European resort or at least New York City to savor a drink sexy enough to catch the attention of a panel of Penthouse imbibers.

But no--I'd read a newspaper blurb months earlier that revealed the splendid news that New England is home to the most passionate potion on earth--the Latin Love, a cocktail containing coconut and banana Cruzan Rum (1-1/2 oz. each), cream of coconut, 3 oz. of pineapple juice and 1-1/2 oz. of raspberry puree, blended with two scoops of ice and served in a hurricane glass with grenadine and coconut shavings for garnish.

We were the only folks at the bar at Naked Fish's Boston location at noon on a Sunday, and it took a while before a bartender appeared on the scene.

She seemed a wee bit taken aback as I leaned purposefully across the bar and stated firmly, "I must have a Latin Love."

The cocktail was a delightful shade of rose-petal pink, and the chunky bits of coconut gave texture to its cool smoothness. The Latin Love is definitely a drink for a steamy summer's day in New England. The frozen coldness and alcohol combined to cause the corners of my jaw to tingle in such a way that any facial expression but a smile was rendered impossible.

David and Bruce opted for slightly less "girlie" drinks--a Havana Martini (Bacardi Light Rum, fresh-squeezed lime juice and sugar, shaken and served straight up) and a Nacional (Bacardi Limon, Chambord, fresh-squeezed lime juice and ginger ale). At $5.75 each, they were a bit less pricey than Naked Fish's crowned jewel. The Latin Love is priced at $6.75 (as of 2000). Not that one can even begin to put a price on the ultimate in sensual beverage experiences.