Lemongrass-Lemon Drop Cocktail →

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Lemongrass is not just for cooking or flavoring teas! Here’s a slightly exotic version of the classic refreshing, citrusy “Lemon Drop Cocktail”. Replacing plain simple syrup with Lemongrass-infused simple syrup adds a subtle Asian herbal citrus note to the “Lemongrass-Lemon Drop Cocktail”. In my book, Limoncello is indispensable for full appreciation of either the Lemon Drop or the Lemongrass-Lemon Drop. Either way...Tchin Tchin!

Photo: c. foodblogchef 2021

Photo: c. foodblogchef 2021

Lemongrass-Lemon Drop Cocktail
Serves 1

Ingredients:

  • 1-ounce Vodka

  • 1-ounce Limoncello

  • 1⁄2 ounce Triple sec

  • 1-ounce Lemongrass simple syrup (or plain simple syrup for the classic Lemon Drop Cocktail)

  • 1-ounce fresh lemon juice

Garnish: Sugar rim (optional) or lemon twist

Preparation:

Make the Lemongrass simple syrup:

1. Chop the lemongrass stalk into 1-inch pieces, and bruise using a mortar and pestle or rolling pin.

2. Place them in a pot with 1 cup of water and 1/4 cup of sugar. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 2 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the syrup infuse for about 2 hours before using.

3. Strain the syrup, pressing down on the lemongrass stalks to extract maximum flavor. Chill until ready to use. Once the syrup is strained, it will keep in your fridge for a couple of weeks.

Assemble the cocktail:

  1. Optional: coat the rim of a cocktail glass with sugar and set aside (do this a few minutes ahead of time so the sugar can dry and adhere well to the glass).

  2. Add all the ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake.

  3. Strain into a coup or small martini glass neat, or a cocktail glass over ice

*Note: Use a citrus-infused vodka for more citrusy depth. Homemade Limoncello, which should be in everyone’s freezer, is a good choice.

Adapted from: https://www.liquor.com/recipes/lemon-drop/#gs.9egdtl

Lemongrass-Basil Vodka Gimlet →

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Here’s an exotic riff on the classic Gin or Vodka Gimlet. Fragrant, delicious, and refreshing, it’s easy to imagine yourself on a white sand beach in Thailand while sipping one of these. Like any recipe, it is a road map for you to use to fine-tune the finished drink to your tastes. Once you have made the lemongrass simple syrup, the drink comes together in minutes. Tchin-Tchin!

Lemongrass-Basil Vodka Gimlet2.JPG

Lemongrass-Basil Vodka Gimlet
Yield: 1 drink
Ingredients:

  • 1 stalk lemongrass chopped into 1-inch pieces and smashed

  • 1/4 cup + 2 teaspoons sugar

  • 1 cup of water

  • juice of 1 lime

  • 3 large leaves of basil

  • 2-3 ounces Vodka (to taste)

  • ice, to chill

Method:
Make the lemongrass simple syrup:

1. Chop the lemongrass stalk into 1-inch pieces, and bruise using a mortar and pestle or rolling pin.

2. Place them in a pot with 1 cup of water and 1/4 cup sugar. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 2 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the syrup infuse for about 2 hours before using.

3. Strain the syrup, pressing down on the lemongrass stalks to extract maximum flavor. Chill until ready to use. Once the syrup is strained, it will keep in your fridge for a couple of weeks.

To build the cocktail:

4. Arrange a cocktail glass on a work surface and place 1/2 teaspoon sugar in the glass. Add the lime juice to the glass along with the basil, and muddle together.

5. Pour in 2-3 ounces vodka and 2 ounces lemongrass syrup. Add the mixture to a cocktail shaker with a ½ cup of ice and shake to chill.

6. Strain into a coup or small martini glass neat, or a cocktail glass over ice and serve garnished with a lime round or basil leaf.

Adapted from: https://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-thai-style-lemongrass-lime-mojito-recipes-from-the-kitchn-214658 by Michelle Peters-Jones

https://www.liquor.com/recipes/vodka-gimlet/