Time for Cocktails!

As this is summer, I am wondering what you all are enjoying in the evenings?  I like a glass of wine* or two, but every now and then, I like a cocktail too.

Summer Drinks

The other night, my husband and I enjoyed a Lemon Martini (on the left) and a Rob Roy (on the right).

Lemon Martinis

Some of you have asked how we make our Lemon Martinis?  (By we, I mean my husband.  Who are kidding?  I don’t make the drinks around here.  I just drink ’em.)  My husband pours equal parts freshly squeezed lemon, dry vermouth, and vodka into a shaker with ice.  Then he shakes it violently and pours it into my martini glass.

So of course, it isn’t a true martini, as it has no gin.

And what’s around that rim?  It’s sugar.  He does this by wetting the rim with the lemon wedge and then tipping the glass upside down onto a plate of sugar.  It’s worth the extra minute of two waiting.

Rob Roy

The second drink, my husband’s drink, is a Rob Roy.  This is two parts Scotch, one part dry vermouth, and two dashes of Angostura bitters.  Rob Roys can also be made with sweet vermouth or even with equal parts of both, but my husband prefers dry.

This is also poured into a shaker with ice and shaken.  Then it’s poured into a martini glass and enjoyed.

Helpful Tools

When making cocktails, it’s helpful to have a cocktail shaker and something to measure shots with.  A simple shot glass will do, or if you have a nifty tool like the one above, you’re good to go.  You’ll notice that on this tool, on the left, is a little measuring cup while on the right are other useful things – most notably the extended stick used as a juicer.  This juicer gets a lot of use in our house for drinks requiring lemons or limes.

What are you all drinking this summer?  Drop a line in the comment box!

*One of my favorite scripture verses involve wine.  The following one comes from Psalm 104:14-15.

“You cause the grass to grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth, and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread to strengthen man’s heart.”

Notice that?  Wine to gladden the hearts of men and bread to strengthen us.  Two of the best things ever.  God is good!