By michael vivar
Retro chic seems to come in 30 to 40-year cycles. For instance, the 1990s brought a craze for 1950s swing dancing and fashion. It was inevitable that in the 2020s, nostalgia would rubberband back to the 1990s.
The end of the 20th Century saw martinis strained in flared glasses with iterations like the Lemon Drop. It was first mixed by Norman Hobday in San Francisco during the 1970s but gained nationwide popularity in chic 1990s bars.
The simple concoction of vodka, triple sec and lemon juice is ripe for interpretation. Pull on your Chuck Taylor's and skinny jeans then mix up this original Lemon Drop along with three variations.
1 1/2 ounces vodka 1/2 ounce triple sec 3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice 1 teaspoon coarse sugar
Coat the rim of a martini glass with sugar. Combine vodka, triple sec and lemon juice in an ice-filled cocktail mixer. Shake vigorously. Strain into martini glass.
2 ounces vodka 1 ounce triple sec 1 ounce cranberry juice 1 ounce fresh lime juice
Combine vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice and lime juice in an ice-filled cocktail mixer. Shake vigorously. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with an orange or lime twist.
2 ounces citrus vodka 3/4 ounce triple sec 1 ounce yuzu syrup 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
Coat the rim of a martini glass with sugar. Combine vodka, triple sec and yuzu syrup in an ice-filled cocktail mixer. Shake vigorously. Strain into martini glass. Garnish with lemon twist.
2 ounces vodka 1 ounce fresh lemon juice 1 ounce lavender syrup 1/2 teaspoon candied violet petals (if available)
Combine vodka, lemon juice and lavender syrup in an ice-filled cocktail mixer. Shake vigorously. Strain into martini glass. Garnish with candied violet petals.