Bill Varney’s Lemon-Rose Martini
Bill Varney founded the Fredericksburg Herb Farm in 1985. He sold this legendary Hill Country destination in 2007 and created URBANHerbal, a wonderful herbal haven adjacent to the original herb farm property. Bill is always creating unique herbal- or flower-oriented things to eat and drink. This luscious martini is a great example.
Ingredients
For the martini
- 1/2 ounce(s) Texas-made vodka
- 1/2 ounce(s) Thatcher's Organic Artisan Liqueur
- 3 drops rose flower water
- 1/4 teaspoon(s) fresh-squeezed lemon juice
- 1 ounce(s) rose simple syrup
- 1 lemon peel strip, with no white pith
- Pink or red rose petal
For the simple syrup
- 1 cup(s) extra-fine granulated sugar
- 4 ounces organic red rose petals
- 1 cup(s) distilled water
- 1 juiced lemon(s)
Instructions
For the martini
- Combine first 5 ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously until icy cold.
- Run the lemon around the rim of a martini glass, then twist it over the glass and drop it in. Strain the martini into the glass and serve, garnished with a floating rose petal.
For the simple syrup
- In a food processor, grind the sugar and the rose petals until the mixture is finely ground with beautiful rose specks.
- In a small saucepan, bring the water and the rose sugar to a boil and immediately reduce to a simmer. Add the lemon juice and stir until dissolved.
- Allow to cool. Bottle and store in the refrigerator for up to a month.
Notes
The simple syrup recipe yields 1 1/2 cups.