Celebrate the end of winter — and the arrival of fresh spring produce — with this martini made with seasonal Meyer lemons and rosemary.
Spring is officially here! Mother Nature must have missed the memo, because we got 3 inches of snow on Friday, the Spring Equinox. DO NOT LIKE.
Don't misunderstand me, I sort of like winter. I love living in an area where we experience four distinct seasons. Though as far as I'm concerned, winter could last one month, and we could add those remaining two months on to spring and fall. Two or three weeks after New Year's, I'm DONE with winter.
Spring means fresh produce, farmers markets, and longer daylight hours. One of my favorite spring produce selections is Meyer lemons. The lemon-orange hybrids aren't the easiest to find in my East Coast area, as they require a warmer climate to grow. I've only ever seen them at Wegman's (thankfully, at my new apartment, I'm much closer to a Wegman's location).
The slightly sweeter, less acidic flavor really shines in this simple martini. The rosemary adds an earthy, almost savory quality to the martini. Muddle lightly for a subtle hint of rosemary; muddle harder for more a prominent flavor. Then sit outside on a not-so-cold evening and sip as you watch the sun go down. Welcome, Spring!
The recipe makes enough simple syrup for four martinis. If you don't use all of it for martinis, you can also use the syrup to brush on cake, add it to your tea, drizzle over fresh fruit, or use it a poultry or seafood marinade.
Meyer Lemon Rosemary Martini
Ingredients
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup water
- Peel of one Meyer lemon (removed with vegetable peeler or zest stripper, not a microplane grater)
- 1 sprig of fresh rosemary
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed Meyer lemon juice
- Ice
- slices Candied Meyer lemon or a sprig of rosemary, for garnish
Instructions
- Place the sugar, water and Meyer lemon peel in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring frequently until the sugar dissolves. Increase the heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat back to medium and allow the mixture to simmer for 2 to 3 minutes. Set aside to cool completely. Remove the lemon peel and discard. Store the syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Syrup can be made a day ahead.
- Place the rosemary sprig and 1 ounce of the simple syrup in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Muddle with the end of a wooden spoon a few times.
- Add the vodka, Meyer lemon juice and ice to the cocktail shaker. Shake for about 30 seconds.
- Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass. Float a candied lemon slice or a sprig of rosemary on top of the martini and serve.
Adapted from Livin' the Pie Life
To make candied Meyer lemon slices, cut one Meyer lemon into ⅛th-inch rounds. Discard any seeds. Combine 1 cup of sugar, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of orange juice, and ¾ cup of water in a skillet over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Add the lemon slices to the skillet, making sure none overlap, and simmer gently for about 15 minutes, turning the slices frequently, until the pulp is slightly translucent and the rinds are soft. Remove the skillet from the heat and use tongs to transfer the lemon slices to a wax-paper-lined baking sheet to cool completely. Slices can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Check out all of the #SundaySupper Spring Fling recipes!
Beverages
- Easter Egg Smoothie by Sew You Think You Can Cook
- Home-made Limoncello by Manu's Menu
- Meyer Lemon Rosemary Martini by The Redhead Baker
Appetizers
- Asparagus and Roasted Garlic Hummus by Palatable Pastime
- Baked Lemon and Goat Cheese Dip by The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
- Cauliflower Salad by Wallflour Girl
- Green Asparagus Soup with Seared Scallops by An Appealing Plan
- Panzanella Primavera by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
- Skillet Spinach Artichoke Dip by Life Tastes Good
Sides
- Asparagus Gribiche by The Wimpy Vegetarian
- Early Peas with Pearl Onions in Cream by Lifestyle Food Artistry
- Roasted Asparagus with Balsamic Mustard Vinaigrette by Food Done Light
- Sauteed Artichokes & Potatoes by Carrie's Experimental Kitchen
- Spring Green Rice by Magnolia Days
Entreés
- Artichoke Pesto Pasta by PancakeWarriors
- Crispy Honey Chicken Spring Salad by Rants From My Crazy Kitchen
- Early Spring Risotto by Cooking Chat
- Honey Lemon Shrimp by Cindy's Recipes and Writings
- Irish Lamb Stew by Food Lust People Love
- Perfect Scrambled Eggs with Asparagus, Goat Cheese and Chives by Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen
- Quiche Florentine by Curious Cuisiniere
- Roasted Lamb Chops, Fontina Cheese Polenta with Asparagus and Mushrooms by Crazy Foodie Stunts
- Spring Pea & Chèvre Souffle by FoodieTots
- Spring Vegetable Risotto by A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Salmon and Strawberry Spinach Salad with a Kentucky Maple Vinaigrette by Dandelion Greens
- Tilapia with Classic Pesto by Whole Food | Real Families
- Veal Stew with Spring Greens by The Texan New Yorker
Desserts
- Berry Shortcakes by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Blueberry Coconut Macaroons by Pies and Plots
- Blueberry Rhubarb Muffins by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
- Carrot Cake Cookies by Noshing With The Nolands
- Carrot Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Icing by Take A Bite Out of Boca
- Gluten Free Healthy Hummingbird Cake by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Lemon Cream Pie with Girl Scouts Lemonade Cookie Crust by Our Good Life
- Lemon Meringue Pie by Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch
- Palm Sunday Easter Bread by Love and Confections
- Pretzels, Peanut Butter, and Beer Cake Recipe by Recipe for Perfection
- Sticky Carrot Squares by What Smells So Good?
Renee says
Cheers to this great martini! So much better than a lemon drop.
Wendy, A Day in the Life on the Farm says
This sounds so refreshing with a little hint of Rosemary.
Liz says
What a fun spring martini! And your garnishes are perfect!!!
Sam @ PancakeWarriors says
I just bought Meyer lemons!! I absolutely love martinis with fresh herbs - rosemary, basil, mint. This sounds perfect!
DB, Foodie Stuntman | Crazy Foodie Stunts says
Sounds like a great cocktail for an after work get together. It looks refreshing!
Laura Dembowski says
I can't stand winter. I want to move so badly to a state where I never, ever see snow again. For now, I'll just have to drown my sorrows in one of these martinis!
Tara says
Perfect spring martini, love everything about it. Rosemary is so wonderful in cocktails!
Terri Steffes says
The rosemary adds the perfect touch and makes it different from all other lemon cocktails. My rosemary isn't up yet, but when it is, I'll be trying this!
Christie says
I was looking for a cocktail to make for ladies night. I've just found it. They are going to love this one.
Laura says
I finally am going to be visiting the US during meyer lemon season!!!! I am so excited! I have never tried one and all these amazing recipes i keep seeing that use them are making me jealous. Wonder if I would get into too much trouble sneaking them into the UK. Knowing my luck I would. 🙁
Valerie Cathell Clark says
Oh I love a lemon martini! This looks so wonderful with the rosemary added!
Jennifer says
Now that's my kinda drink!
susan // the wimpy vegetarian says
Hopefully Mother Nature gets the memo soon about Spring. You guys have had your fair share of snow, and then some. This martini is a great way to weather the storms though, so to speak 🙂
CarriesExpKtchn says
'm not a vodka drinker myself, but my husband would LOVE this! Thanks for sharing.
Serena | Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch says
Such a gorgeous cocktail and I love the addition of rosemary!
Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen says
Uuum no to the snow, and YES PLEASE to this yummy martini!!
Diana @DandelionGreensBlog says
What a lovely recipe! I love meyer lemons... and hope you get to Spring-like weather soon!
Julie @ Texan New Yorker says
We must live near each other, cuz I got the East Coast snow on Friday too. Unbelievable!!
This gorgeous cocktail would make it all better though. I am somewhat new to adding fresh herbs to cocktails, but I must say I adore it. And the Meyer lemons are a fantastic addition too. Cheers to warmer temps! 🙂
Shaina says
The combination of meyer lemon and rosemary is absolutely perfect. I've recently become a big fan of using rosemary in cocktails and you have definitely done the idea proud!
Cindys Recipes and Writings says
So pretty and inviting, Coleen!
Krayl @ An Appealing Plan says
I love Meyer lemon! what a perfect use for it here. I am sure it is perfect to sit and sip on the front porch!
Lauren @ Sew You Think You Can Cook says
Such a pretty cocktail. Happy Spring!
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