Lemonade and Lemon Drop Martini

Fresh Lemonade

Yields: 2 quarts

3 cups fresh squeezed lemon juice (about 20 lemons)

1 1/2 to 2 cups superfine sugar

4 cups water

Lemon slices

Option: Sliced strawberries

Pour the lemon juice through a sieve (to catch pulp and seeds) and into the pitcher. Add 1 1/2 cups sugar to start, stir until dissolved. Stir in 4 cups of water and some ice. Taste. Add the additional sugar if desired. Garnish with fresh lemon slices and/or strawberries.

Lemon Drop Martini

Yield: 1

1 1/2 oz vodka

1/2 oz orange liqueur

1 tsp superfine sugar or to taste

3/4 oz fresh-squeezed lemon juice

Ice cubes

Superfine sugar for dipping glass rim

Twisted peel of lemon

Mix the vodka, orange liqueur, sugar, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice; shake well (about 40 times to blend and dissolve sugar).

Pour strained drink into sugar-rimmed martini glass and garnish with a twisted peel of lemon.