Less a Recipe, more a Reminder!
With three weeks until Christmas there's still time to put some flavours into booze to infuse away, then strain and bottle to give as presents.
I've had the sloe gin underway since autumn, have an apple schnapps brewing and am thinking of starting the annual 'Christmas Whiskey' soon - full of really seasonal flavours. If you need last-minute inspiration in a few weeks' time, vanilla vodkais probably best as it infuses so quickly and still looks good with the vanilla pod in the bottle.
Lemongrass vodka is as simple as it gets - three and a half weeks ago I put vodka into a clean jar along with four stalks of lemongrass, chopped. I put four because I had four, and would have put more if I'd had more - so just use what you have.
Some additions create really strong infusions but the lemongrass vodka has a lovely subtle aroma and flavour that I think will be perfect for all sorts of long drinks and cocktails.
It's now time to bottle and label ... or perhaps not! I've got time to make more after all and want to try making a very simple sort of martini.
For one: half fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add three measures (using the cap of the shaker) lemongrass vodka and one measure juice from a tin of lychees.
Shake well and strain into a martini glass. Squeeze in the juice from a small wedge of lemon and then rub the lemon around the rim of the glass.
Add a tiny twist of lemon peel and a lychee to garnish.
Oh, and talking of martinis just gives me an excuse to quote a warning from Dorothy Parker:
'I like to have a martini,
Two at the very most,
After three I'm under the table,
After four I'm under my host.'
Beware!
Tried this recipe? Let me know what you think.
