Meyer Lemon Martini

The kosher link up for this month is cocktails (see below!)  I was excited when I heard that this would be the theme as I do enjoy a good cocktail!  I then realized that I have never posted a drink recipe on this blog.  Well, it is high time that I do so!  I picked this martini because it was the first cocktail that I created on my own and it is delicious!

This recipe came about as many of my recipes do – totally on the fly.  I was having my sister and brother-in-law over for dinner.  I had prepared a fabulous meal and felt that I needed to serve a fabulous cocktail.  I had just picked up some meyer lemons from the store so I had them on hand, and I always have a bottle of vodka in my freezer 🙂  I put the two together and it was perfection – the the perfect balance of tart and sweet and very refreshing!

I love meyer lemons.  I only discovered them a few years ago from watching cooking shows (a favorite pass time before having kids!)  I had never noticed them in the store, but came upon them one day and decided to give them a try.  I use them for drinks, salad dressings, with fish and chicken.  I describe them as a cross between a tangerine and a lemon.  They are shaped like a lemon, but are more orange than yellow.  The taste is tart like a lemon, but slightly sweeter.  You can find them in most regular supermarkets or Whole Foods.  The only downside is that they are not always available all year long.   When you do see them in the produce section pick some up – you will not be sorry!

Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 5 Minutes
Yield: 4 servings

1/4 cup water
1/4 cup sugar
6 meyer large lemons (if you cannot find them you can substitute 4 lemons and 2 tangerines)
3/4 cup vodka
2 sprigs fresh mint

Create a simple syrup by combing 1/4 cup sugar and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Stir the sugar until it is totally dissolved and remove from the heat. Allow to cool completely.

Juice the meyer lemons and place into a pitcher. Add the vodka, simple syrup, sprig of mint and stir.

If you are not serving the martini right away you can allow the drink to chill in the refrigerator. You can also pour it into a martini shaker with some ice and shake until frothy and ice cold right before serving. Garnish with a mint leaf.