Welcome back and fasten your seatbelts, because today we are going to talk about the good stuff for a bit. You know what I mean – COCKTAILS!! Stay tuned and see how shoebox bartending and the lemon drop ladies continues!

Although red wine has traditionally been my go-to drink, I always knew I had a more adventurous cocktailing side. During a trip to visit my mom last year, she gifted me with a large shoebox full of airline liquor bottles – I didn’t even know she traveled that much! After a small investment (jigger, cocktail shaker, some fun barware), my Shoebox Bartending career was born, and my taste buds were headed on their maiden voyage!

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Can you believe my first test cocktail was a martini – way to jump in the deep end, right? Well, I guess you could say I only dipped my toe in the water, because I decided to start with a Lemon Drop. Although it is technically a martini, you could say it is the sweetest little baby of the martini family – it not only tastes and smells great, it is pretty too!

After posting a picture of my beautiful, sugar-rimmed glass of yellow sunshine on social media, the Lemon Drop Ladies dinner group was formed. Our festive gatherings were alive and well before Co-Vid got in our way. Along with my shoebox, I guess in a way Co-Vid has contributed to my cocktail “bug” – no pun intended of course!

While I love mixing cocktails, I also love trying to pair them with the food I am cooking and bring in some freshness from my garden. I believe cocktail preferences can be very personal, but also that matching them with food can range from simple to challenging. For example, we all love a yummy margarita with our favorite Mexican food, but what do you pair with a mojito? Well, if you cook a lot, you probably know mint goes well with lamb, and if you drink a lot, you know that mojitos have mint in them. So poof, your pairing of mojitos and lamb complements the flavors of both.  

Although my Shoebox Bartending career is exciting and flavorful, I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you there have been cocktails that I couldn’t even finish. It’s about the journey, not the destination I always say. So, get out there, find your shoebox, get some fun supplies, and join me in finding your inner bartender. Salud! Start shoebox bartending and the lemon drop ladies will be born.

Refreshing Lemon Drop Martini

If you're in the mood for a delightful and invigorating Lemon Drop Martini, then you're in luck because I have the perfect recipe for you.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Course Drinks

Servings 1 serving

Equipment

• Cocktail Shaker
• Jigger

Ingredients

  

• 1 1/2 oz Vodka
• 1/2 oz Triple Sec
• 3/4 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
• 1/4 oz Simple Syrup
• Lemon Wedge
• Sugar for rim

Instructions

 

• 1. Wet rim of Martini glass using the lemon wedge then dip into sugar. Set aside.

  2. Combine vodka, triple sec, lemon juice and simple syrup into a shaker with ice.

  3. Shake until cold.

  4. Pour into Martini glass.

  5. Garnish with a lemon peel, twist or wedge.
• Side Notes

  Simple syrup can be adjusted to your taste. Have fun with the sugared rim by using coarse colored sugars, fine bakers type sugar, etc. Make it your own!

Notes

https://youtu.be/xgEXmkcRYDg

Keyword easy, lemon drop, refreshing