There’s something magical about a lemon drop martini. Named for the old-fashioned hard candy of the same name, this lemony twist on a classic martini packs a refreshing sweet-and-sour punch. Vodka and freshly squeezed lemon juice give it a bright, tart edge, while a touch of simple syrup and orange liqueur, such as Cointreau, adds just enough sweetness to make each sip feel perfectly balanced. Served in a chilled martini glass with a lightly sugared rim, it’s a cocktail that feels festive even before the first toast of the night.
In Columbus, a couple of local spots make lemon drops worth the trip. Harvey’s delivers a version that’s cold – sometimes slightly slushy on top – with just the right balance of tart and sweet. Not to mention, it somehow tastes even better if you go during happy hour and order their signature Cathead lemon drop for $6. J. Broussard’s also makes a fantastic one. Their version is reserved for special occasions, but it’s worth the treat. These local favorites were my starting point when I decided to experiment at home, hoping to capture a bit of that citrusy magic for my own New Year’s Eve gathering.
I looked through several recipes for research purposes, and there seems to be a general consensus on how the “perfect” lemon drop should be made – aside from a few with extra flair, like a hibiscus lemon drop (bookmarked for a later date). I gathered my lemons, my Cathead (a must-have for me), Cointreau, and made a quick simple syrup on the stove – a 1-to-2 ratio of sugar and water, if you want to make your own. After bringing it all together and leaving behind a mess of lemon juice and sugar, I took my first crisp sip.
My first attempt at a homemade lemon drop? Pretty close. Almost as good as the professional versions, though I’ll admit a few more practice rounds might be needed to achieve true happy hour perfection. For now, this version will have to do for our New Year’s Eve celebration – at least until I can gather my friends and take them on a tasting tour to see how it measures up against the real deal.
LEMON DROP MARTINI
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon granulated sugar, for rimming the glass
2 ounces Cathead vodka
1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 ounce Cointreau or triple sec
1/2 ounce simple syrup
Lemon twist (or thin slice), for garnish
Instructions:
■ Place sugar on a small plate. Wet the rim of a martini glass with a wet paper towel or the cut side of a lemon. Invert the glass and press the rim onto the sugar until coated; set aside or chill in the freezer while making the cocktail.
■ Fill a cocktail shaker 2/3 full with ice. Add the Cathead vodka, lemon juice, Cointreau, and simple syrup. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
■ Strain into the prepared glass and garnish with a lemon twist.
■ Enjoy at home, and maybe think of it as a little happy hour you can host yourself.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 33 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
