I’m excited to toast to the new year with a new mission inspired by International Chic Spy Day called ‘Stirred Not Shaken,’ where I uncover the chicest martinis to put on your radar. The Vesper – named for Bond Girl Vesper Lynd – may be the favorite martini of James Bond, who likes them with vodka rather than gin, “Shaken, not stirred” and served with a twist of lemon. This sartorial sleuth has a softer palette and likes her cocktails a bit sweeter, so I’m dying to try the Lemon Drop Martini. I just love the flecks of vanilla and large sugar sparkles used to make this cocktail!
Lemon Drop Martini Recipe
[column-group][column]For the Lemon Drop Syrup
- ¼ cup hot water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 & ½ tsp vanilla paste
- 2 lemons
- ½ lime
- 1 ½ – 2 cups cold water[/column][column]For the Cocktail
- 3-4 oz of Lemon Drop Mixture
- 1.5 oz of Vodka
To Rim the Glass
- Lemon slices
- Sugar (larger granule cake decorating sugar is used)[/column][/column-group]
Mixology:
To Make the Lemon Drop Mixture
Blend ¼ cup hot water, sugar and vanilla paste in food processor at low speed while you cut fruit in quarters. Stop blender, add cut fruit and cold water to taste. Pulse until no large pieces remain; approximately 5 or 6 times (do not over blend because it could create a sour taste). Strain into container and chill.
To Make the Cocktail
Rim the edge of a martini glass with lemon juice and dip in sugar. Combine the Lemon Drop Mixture with vodka in a cocktail mixer. Add ice and shake vigorously 10-12 times. Pour into glass and serve.
Make it a Mocktail: Just omit the vodka.
Source: creative-culinary.com
