Cocktails To Go-Go and Linda's Strawberry Lemon Drop Cocktail

by Linda

"I don't know what to do!" cried Scrooge, laughing and crying in the same breath; and making a perfect Laocoön of himself with his stockings. "I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I am as merry as a school-boy. I am as giddy as a drunken man. A merry Christmas to every-body! A happy New Year to all the world! Hallo here! Whoop! Hallo!"~ Charles Dickens
    
   Truly...  more than once even, I have slaved for hours preparing food for groups of people who haven't had much to say afterward. I have to admit, it is a very disheartening experience. Through the years I have discovered that there is a sure fire way to get maximum recognition with the output of minimal effort. My secret? Pack up a bag of your favorite cocktail ingredients for your next outing with friends and play bartender. This tactic also works well with family members, especially sisters. They do a happy dance when I show up with the Bar Car.
   Wishing you all, both far and near, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Linda's Strawberry-Lemon Drop Cocktail

   My recipe is a revision of Ina Garten's basic Lemon Drop Cocktail. I prefer the lemon infused vodka with lemon juice because I think that the cocktail picks up an added depth of flavor. The strawberry vodka adds brightness to the mix and is a fun twist. It also lends the drink a festive pink hue. This cocktail is the big sister to our Hard Strawberry Lemonade. Be advised... the Drop packs a wallop. Use caution!

Ingredients:

1 cup strawberry infused vodka (not sweetened)

1 cup Absolut citron vodka

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

1/2 cup superfine sugar or 1/2 cup agave syrup (agave syrup will cause a slight change of color)

Procedure:

1. Mix all of the ingredients together in a pitcher. Whisk well, the sugar will take a minute to dissolve.

For each cocktail, pour 3/4 cup of the mix into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and pour into a cocktail glass. Garnish as desired.

Garnish:

   Sugared rims are just too sweet for me, but they sure are pretty, and would be appropriate for this cocktail. Strawberries, lemon slices or twists are also perfect choices for garnishing, as well as small orchids.

Other Items Needed by a Traveling Bartender:
Small cutting board
Cocktail shaker
Sharp paring knife
Citrus juicer
Measuring cup/ shot glass
Muddler
Glasses
Ice
Salt or sugar

Linda's Raspberry Lemon Drop

   You can also make a Raspberry Lemon Drop with your homemade raspberry infused vodka, but the amount needed of raspberry vodka is less because it is a more pronounced flavor.

Ingredients: 
1/2 cup raspberry infused vodka (not sweetened)

1/2 cup vodka

1 cup Absolut citron vodka

1/2 cup lemon juice

1/2 cup superfine sugar of 1/2 cup agave syrup

  

Procedure:
1. Mix all ingredients together in a bottle, bowl or pitcher, and shake until completely blended. Mixture can be stored in the refrigeration or freezer at this stage.

When ready to serve a cocktail:

   Pour 3/4 cup of the liquid into a cocktail shaker (or double the amount for two cocktails), add ice, shake vigorously and pour into a martini or cocktail glass. Garnish as desired with lemon slices and raspberries or other fruit of choice... I also like small orchids and exotic flowers. Glass rims can be dipped in superfine sugar if desired.