Fresh lemon juice, the key to a great cocktail
I drink very little alcohol, but I do enjoy a cocktail when I am out with friends. If I'm in a great restaurant, with an interesting and innovative cocktail list and a bartender who knows what they are doing, I'll go out on a limb and order something intriguing. I opt for unusual ingredients: fermented watermelon, sumac, cardamom bitters, house-infused liquors...
Since I only allow myself one drink, wherever I am I want that drink to be really good. There are a few ingredients that are commonly used in less-ritzy bars, such as sour mix, triple sec and artificial sweeteners or flavorings, that taste disgusting and make me a little sick, so I avoid drinks that are pre-made, such as frozen drinks of most kinds, house margaritas and anything else that is likely to have something yucky in them.
I only have one drink. That one drink had better be good. So, in order to make sure my one cocktail is pleasant, I usually tell the bartender exactly how to make a very simple drink that is always refreshing and tasty. Most bars keep the necessary ingredients on hand.
Lemon Martini
2 shots of Tito's vodka
3/4 shot of fresh lemon juice
3/4 shot of simple syrup
1 shot of water
served up, with the ice on the side
I embarrassed my daughters a few times by telling bartenders exactly how to make my cocktail, until I asked one of the bartenders if anyone else does this. She said "all the time." This has emboldened me. Recently a waitress refused to make the drink, because she would have had to squeeze lemons, and she didn't want to do that. When I insisted (I owned restaurants, so this type of employee doesn't get far with me), she rolled her eyes at me!! But she made the drink, and it was really good. I left her a very nice tip (I do that) and now we get along fine when I order my drink from her.
In order to have a photograph taken by yours truly for this post, I had to make my drink at home last night. I used a Japanese rice vodka that I think is very good, and I wish I had thought to garnish this drink with a few slices of fresh ginger. Next time!
This is my entry to 