Once, Twice, Three Times a Lemon
Serves 1.
Note: This is a purist's spiked lemonade, lemony from top to bottom. If you like a bit of fizz, you could even top it with a little lemon LaCroix or lemon soda at the end. We used Newman's Own Old Fashioned Roadside Virgin Lemonade, but make your own lemonade if you like. Regardless, it's smart to keep some extra lemons on hand, for garnishing the drink and in case you decide you want to pump up the tartness a bit. (If you're buying rather than making your lemonade, you may not know exactly how sweet it will be, so it's good to have the ingredients to make adjustments.) This is also a recipe that can easily be batched into a pitcher drink, and you can also play with the recipe by making small tweaks at the end, adding other flavors such as fresh berries, a smidgen of triple sec or elderflower liqueur, or a sprig of fresh herbs, such as thyme or basil. From M. Carrie Allan.
• Ice
• 1 oz. (1/8 c.) citrus vodka
• 1 oz. (1/8 c.) limoncello
• 5 oz. (1/2 c. plus 1/8 c.) chilled lemonade
• Fresh lemon juice and sugar, as needed, optional
• Wheel slices of lemon, for garnish
Directions
Fill a Collins glass with ice.
Add the vodka, limoncello and lemonade and use a barspoon to stir the ingredients together. Taste the drink, and add a bit of lemon juice or sugar as needed. Garnish with a lemon wheel or two, twisting them over the glass as you drop them into the drink.
Nutrition information per serving:
Calories230
Fat0 g
Sodium25 mg
Carbohydrates27 g
Saturated fat0 g
Total sugars27 g
Protein0 g
Cholesterol0 mg
Dietary fiber0 g
Monks' Picnic
Serves 1.
Note: This refreshing summer cooler pulls from flavors of a classic cocktail called the Last Word. Any good London dry gin such as Tanqueray or Beefeater will do, but an overproof, juniper-forward gin such as Junipero or Sipsmith's V.J.O.P. really shines here. Look for a good, tart limeade that isn't artificially flavored, or make your own if you like. In testing, we used Simply Limeade. From M. Carrie Allan.
• Ice
• 1 oz. (1/8 c.) gin (see Note)
• 1 oz. (1/8 c.) green Chartreuse
• 5 oz. (1/2 c. plus 1/8 c.) limeade (see Note)
• Pinch of salt, optional
• Wheel slices of lime, for garnish
Directions
Fill a Collins glass three-quarters full with ice.
Add the gin, Chartreuse, limeade and pinch of salt, if desired. Use a barspoon to stir the drink, then add the lime wheel garnish, giving it a little twist above the drink right before you drop it into the glass.
Nutrition information per serving:
Calories250
Fat0 g
Sodium20 mg
Carbohydrates32 g
Saturated fat0 g
Total sugars32 g
Protein0 g
Cholesterol0 mg
Dietary fiber0 g
Summer in Padua
Serves 1.
Note: Named for the town in Italy where Aperol originated, this drink gets its brightness from both lemonade and fino sherry, which adds a rich back-note to the palate. Aperol brings in bittersweet orange notes. We used Newman's Own Old Fashioned Roadside Virgin Lemonade, but you can use homemade lemonade instead. This can easily be scaled up to fill a pitcher as well — just multiply the ingredients for the number of servings you want, and add the citrus wheels to the pitcher; they'll infuse a bit of flavor into the drink as it sits. From M. Carrie Allan.
• Ice
• 2 strawberries, cleaned, hulled and cut into slices from top to bottom
• Wheel slices of lemon, for garnish
• 4 oz. (1/2 c.) lemonade (see Note)
• 2 oz. (1/4 c.) fino sherry
• 1 1/2 oz. (3 tbsp.) Aperol
Directions
Add a few ice cubes, the slices of strawberry and a wheel of citrus to a large goblet or wine glass.
Fill a mixing glass with ice. Add the lemonade, sherry and Aperol; stir briefly to blend. Strain into the goblet or wine glass.
Nutrition information per serving:
Calories270
Fat0 g
Sodium20 mg
Carbohydrates32 g
Saturated fat0 g
Total sugars40 g
Protein0 g
Cholesterol0 mg
Dietary fiber0 g
