Recipes from Kathy Casey

Tuscan Rosemary Lemon Drop

Kathy Casey created this cocktail for her friends Michelle and Don’s wedding reception in Tuscany. To this day, she can picture everyone standing on the villa lawn enjoying their drinks—heels kicked off, ties loosened, and laughter fading into the Tuscan sunset.

Makes 1 drink

INGREDIENTS

•Rosemary Sugar
•1 sprig fresh rosemary
•1 1/2 ounces vodka
•1/2 ounce limoncello
•1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
•1/2 ounce Simple Syrup

For garnishing
•Fresh rosemary sprig

DIRECTIONS

Rim a large martini glass with rosemary sugar, and set aside.

Bend 1 rosemary sprig and drop into a cocktail shaker. Fill the shaker with ice. Measure in the vodka, limoncello, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Cap and shake vigorously. Strain into the sugar-rimmed glass. Float a rosemary sprig in the drink for garnish.

Rosemary Sugar

Makes 1 cup

•2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves, coarsely chopped
•1 cup superfine or baker’s sugar

Mix the rosemary and sugar together, and spread the mixture on a rimmed baking sheet. Set in a warm dry place for about 4 days, until the rosemary is completely dried. Process in a food processor or spice grinder until finely ground. Store in a tightly sealed container for up to one month at room temperature.

Simple Syrup

This is a bar staple and the most commonly used sweetener. Though you can purchase simple syrup, it is ordinarily sweeter than I prefer, so I highly recommend making your own. Proportions vary but it is easy.

Makes 3 cups

•2 cups water
•2 cups sugar

Mix the water and sugar together in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Let boil 1 minute then immediately remove from the heat. Let cool to room temperature before using. Store in a clean glass bottle or container, at room temperature, for up to 2 weeks or, refrigerated, for up to 3 months.

Tip: If you don’t have limoncello, then increase the lemon juice and simple syrup to 3/4 ounce each.

Recipe from Sips & Apps, © 2009 by Kathy Casey, Chronicle Books.