THE LEMON DROP SMACK DOWN TASTE TEST

After a great day with family in Cincinnati spent taking in Findlay Market and a canoe trip in Loveland, Ohio, we hit a great little pub called Paxton's Grill. I asked the bartender to make me a cocktail and he came up with a LEMON DROP MARTINI. It was very good and it got me to thinking about all of the lemon drop shots I'd had in my life. It got Hubby to thinking about the fact that the martini would be better with Cointreau. Pretty soon all this thinking lead to the great LEMON DROP SMACK DOWN TASTE TEST.

Contender #1
LEMON DROP MARTINI
Absolute citron vodka
Triple Sec
Sour mix
Sugar for the rim

Directions: Put the ingredients into a shaker, add ice, shake and strain into a martini glass rimmed with sugar.

Verdict: Mellow, refreshing, light, lovely, easy drinking, perfect for après-canoe

Contender #2:
LEMON DROP MARTINI WITH COINTREAU
Same as above, except instead of Triple Sec, Cointreau was used.

Verdict: stronger, hint of orange, less sweet, more sour, first cocktail we've had with Cointreau that we weren't crazy about.

Contender #3:
LEMON DROP SHOT
Vodka
Lemon juice
Sugar

Verdict: sour, lemony, great for the shot shy, quick, powerful

And the winner is..LEMON DROP MARTINI. The others are off my list.

Drink Up^
Cocktail Connie