This post was written by Sarah of SmartBitches

Back in July, Angie, Jane and I went to a restaurant in DC called Hook. Angie, damn her, introduced me to the lemon drop martini. I’m not a big martini drinker though I learned to make them when I was around 11 or 12, since both my grandmothers drank them. One liked them with vermouth and an olive, and the other liked them with gin and a twist of lime. Either way I thought they were disgusting.

Lemon drops, however, are delicious. After I had an exceptional one at Hook, I tried a bunch of different recipes and nothing was as good as that one. So I emailed the restaurant, and asked if they’d be kind enough to share if I promised to go back there the next time I was in DC. Imagine my holy hell surprise when the waiter who took care of our table replied and sent the recipe. And it is delicious times ten when you make it in your own home. Why? It’s much cheaper than in a restaurant!

So, without further ado, my favorite lemon drop martini recipe.

The Lemon Drop Martini at Hook

1 & 1/2 oz ketel one citron vodka (aka 3 tbsp)
Squeeze 1/4 lemon juice (1 tbsp)
splash fresh lime juice
1 oz sugar syrup. (2 tbsp)

Sugar syrup is easy: one cup of sugar dissolved in 1 cup of water over heat, then allow to cool.

According to J, the wonderful waiter, “The key is to shake it with lots of ice to make it really cold and bring out the bright lemon flavors.” I have used bottled lemon juice and bottled lime juice, and with lots of ice and serving it cold, it was still exceptional, but fresh is amazing.

Paired with a candied lemon peel from Angie, this drink makes me a very happy Sarah indeed.

L’chaim!