If I invite you for dinner, I am going to do everything possible to make that an enjoyable occasion. Mike and I usually clean up after guests depart and discuss our dinner with “I think everyone had a good time” or “geez that recipe didn’t work as well as I thought.”

There are many variations on Lemon Drop Cocktails/Martinis and I have tried a few. This particular one provides the best of all ingredients. It is important to feel comfortable to change ingredients or the amount of each ingredient to please your most particular cocktail-drinking guests.

When I am having more than one guest I have taken to mixing cocktails in bulk in advance [just an hour or two] so I am not tied up squeezing lemons while others are snacking on appetizers. They are shaken in real time and adjusted by what my guests enjoy. I know some of my guests always want a sweeter drink and others want it a bit tart. I will provide ingredients for one cocktail and enough for 6.

INGREDIENTS

For one cocktail

• 2 oz Vodka*
• 3/4 oz Cointreau or Triple Sec
• 1 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• zest of a lemon
• fine sugar

In advance of making your cocktail, you should prepare your glassware. I am using coupes rather than martini glasses. Sprinkle some sugar and the lemon zest in a flat plate large enough to hold the glasses upside down. Wipe the edge of the coupe glass with the lemon that you zested. Dip each glass in the plate so that the rim of the glass has sugar and lemon zest on it. You can then fill the glasses with ice and put them in refrigerator or freezer until you are ready to fill them.

For one cocktail, put all ingredients in a small shaker with plenty of ice and shake for a minute. This breaks up the ice a bit and the cocktail will be frosty. Pour a small amount into shaker cover and have your guest taste for sweetness or tartness. At this point you can add more lemon juice or simple syrup whichever they prefer. If you know your guests, you can taste yourself.

For a dozen cocktails: pour all ingredients in a large pitcher; mix well without ice; pour into bottle and refrigerate until you are ready to use. Shake bottle well before pouring into the shaker to assure the lemon mixes through.

• 12 oz Vodka*
• 4.5 oz Cointreau or Triple Sec
• 6 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 3 oz simple syrup
• zest of a lemon
• fine sugar

Notes:

* I do not use flavored vodka. I like Belvedere and Grey Goose but any vodka you have will do.
** Small shaker will hold one full cocktail. The larger shaker usually holds 3.