summary

Lemon and ginger are wonderful compliments to each other, especially in a cocktail. This simple but powerful cocktail can be served two ways: as a martini or as a spritz over ice. Either way, take the time to rim the glass with sugar as it adds such a lovely and celebratory touch. Best-quality vodka will go a long way to elevate a cocktail with just a few ingredients.

ingredients

Ingredients
2 1/2 ounces vodka
3/4 ounce lemon juice, plus additional for rim
1/2 ounce ginger syrup
Sparkling water, for spritz
Sugar, for rim
Pineapple slices and frond, for garnish
Ginger slice, for garnish
Mint leaves, for garnish
Ginger Simple Syrup Ingredients:
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup fresh ginger root, peeled and sliced (crosswise into “coins”)

directions

To make the ginger simple syrup, place the sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stirring once or twice, cook until the sugar is dissolved and then add the ginger. Bring to a low boil, cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and allow it to sit for an hour. Strain the liquid, discarding the ginger, and transfer the simple syrup to a glass container until ready to use.
Rub the rim of the serving glass (martini or rocks glass) with lemon juice and then dip into sugar.
To make the lemon ginger martini, fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add the vodka, lemon juice and ginger simple syrup. Shake vigorously and then pour into a sugar-rimmed martini glass. Garnish with a mint leaf.
To make a lemon ginger spritz, fill the sugar-rimmed rocks glass with ice. Add the vodka, lemon juice and ginger simple syrup and then top with sparkling water. Stir to combine and garnish with a mint leaf.