Last year I started my Summer Drink Series on the Summer Solstice. This year in my new apartment (tour to come!) I may have gotten a bit over zealous when it came to the ‘summer’ portion of the series and I’m starting a month early. Whoops- who can blame me? Delicious cocktails on a roof deck are just fabulous!
I’m kicking things off with a very simple, very tasty, and VERY potent Limoncello Martini!
Ingredients: (Makes 2)
3 Ounces Vodka
2 Ounces Limoncello (I used Villa Massa)
1 Ounce Lemon Simple Syrup
Dash of Fresh Lemon Juice
Lemon Rind
Instructions:
1. In order to create the lemon simple syrup, you mix one part sugar, one part water, and two strips of lemon rind (about ¼ of the lemon) into a pot on the stove. Bring to a simmer until sugar has dissolved. Let simmer 2 minutes so the lemon’s oils can infuse into the syrup.
2. Add limoncello, vodka, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker full of ice. Shake well to blend.
3. Pour vodka mixture into martini glasses filled with ice.
4. Top off with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, gently stir.
5. Garnish with a lemon twist. You can make these by carefully cutting a slice of lemon rind into a uniform ribbon, removing the pith (the white inside the rind) and curling it around a pencil or a straw. Pop the curled rind into the freezer for a minute or so and voila: perfect spiral!
6. Enjoy chilled.
Recently I received an exciting surprise in the mail: a bottle of the Villa Massa Limoncello! Often, in many of the limoncello varieties you would find at your local liquor store, limoncello is full of preservatives and artificial colors to make them a vibrant yellow. Not Villa Massa! It is crafted from a family recipe that dates back to 1890 (how cool is that?!) and made from an infusion of fresh Sorrento Oval Lemon, purified water, sugar, and alcohol. Meaning that this particular limoncello is all-natural, with no artificial preservatives, additives or coloring! Love when even my alcohol has a conscious (can I pretend it is actually good for me? Girl can dream!)
Do you have a favorite summer drink recipe? Let me know in the comments below!
I was given this product free of charge, with no expectation of review. All views are my own.
