Stand Down, James Bond—The Lemon Martini is Here to Save the Day

While this lemon martini might be shaken (well, blended), that’s where it and the famous 007’s vodka martini part ways. With temperatures hovering at the century mark in Dallas and that unwelcome annual humidity upon us, a refreshing lemon cocktail is the perfect choice for a host or hostess wanting to charm their guests.

I enjoy browsing online recipes and was delighted to discover this crisp, chic version. The recipe, which serves four, uses the entire lemon in its sweet-tart base, giving it a much more complex body than the usual lemon drop martini. Take care when serving; this tasty treat packs a punch.

Ingredients

1 small lemon

2/3 cup vodka or gin

1/3 cup sugar and more for glass rims

2 cups ice

Lemon wheels or peels for garnish

Directions

1. Zest the lemon to obtain 1 teaspoon and set aside.

2. Trim the ends of the lemon, then roughly chop it, discarding any seeds. Set the chopped lemon aside.

3. Moisten the rims of four* 6-ounce martini glasses with the trimmed ends of the lemon. Mix additional sugar with the reserved zest on a plate. Dip the martini glasses into the sugar-zest mixture to create a sweet-and-tart crusted rim.

4. Add the chopped lemon to the blender, then add the vodka, sugar, and 2 cups of ice. Process until smooth and frothy, 30 seconds to 1 minute.

5. Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a measuring cup with a spout. Using the back of a spoon, press the solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the solids.

6. Divide evenly among prepared glasses. Garnish with lemon wheels or peels.

*I found the recipe works best for two six-ounce cocktails or four smaller ones.