Classic Lemon Drop

This past fall at the beginning of the school year we had an "unusual" work stoppage , teacher strike,  situation that provided some additional beginning of the year stress for my principal colleagues and myself. This stress also provided some additional time in September to drink together in support of this most stressful experience. And for a few of my favorite "gals" & I it provided an opportunity to drink some crazy strong Lemon Drop martinis to drown our unfamiliar sorrows in.

Lemon Drops have long been a fav of G & I. We have a fav spot to have them in Portland called Paddy's. They truly make the world's best lemon drop and guess why it is the world's best? I bet you didn't guess it....it's some added orange that's the kicker. One of our Paddy's waitresses actually shared the secret with us on one of our visits.

And ever since we've made them similarly. A lemon drop is such a fresh and tart drink. And that's another trick, a really good lemon drop shouldn't be too sweet. We've had way too many sweet lemon drops that are just plain not good. 

For us a good lemon drop has just a very slight sweet hint in the background. We actually have been using agave nectar when we make them at home in place of sugar which works so perfectly.

We'd love to know what's your favorite "go to" cocktail?

Recipe:

Classic Lemon Drop Martini

1 oz. vodka

1 oz. citron vodka

1 tsp. agave syrup

1 juiced orange/clementine/tangerine (your choice)

1 juiced lemon

1/2 C ice

2 tspns superfine sugar

2 tspns lemon zest

Place vodkas, agave and juiced citrus into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously until sweat forms outside of shake.

Mix together the superfine sugar and lemon zest on a plate. Use a lemon slice to moisten the edge of your martini glass. Turn martini glass into the lemon-sugar mixture to "rim" the glass. Pour drink from the cocktail shaker into the martini glass. ENJOY!