Lavender and Grapefruit Martini- Koreatown to Eaglerock CA

KoreaTown 

I hadn’t seen N. in years.  This time we reconnected in another state, California. I was happy to see her. I couldn’t help but notice the blooming lavender in her backyard as the purple bushels stood to our shoulders. Standing on the porch, we eyed the landscaped backyard.  Two oversized rosemary bushes were placed at the front of the pebbled pathway.  Citrus trees lined the fence and  everywhere we looked, white roses.   Her worn in, long haired cat, Rex, was casually hanging around, eagerly awaiting our attention.  Rex was missing most of both ears; all that was left, two small stubs – causalities from what could only have been fights down dark alleys.  

Aside from the lavender, she also had a grapefruit tree that was ripe and giving; not the steroid-sized grapefruit you see in most grocery stores, but grapefruits about the size of a conventionally grown orange. 

The day relaxing with N. was drawing to a close.  She loaded up the car with grapefruits from her tree and the lavender, which she suggested I use to make martinis for my traveling companions C. and L.   

Eaglerock 

Back at the arts and craft house in Eaglerock were I was staying, we mixed two different style martinis.  C. added one full sprig of lavender to the mixer with grapefruit pulp and juice. A few strong shakes later; I found it to be the perfect martini: no sugar.  The bitter taste of the grapefruit made my mouth pucker, I stood rooted in place spending the next few moments in a refreshed stupor from the gin.  The lavender accented the drink with a floral note off setting the fruit, the taste reminiscent of mint.  L. and C. preferred the less fragrant scent and added only the small, narrow, thistle-like leaf from the lavender sprig with two parts gin, enjoying their drink with a hint of just-enough grapefruit, perhaps less then mine to properly enjoy the spirits. 

 

Lavender is strong herb and best to add to the drink as you go, tasting after each addition or it can be too much of a good thing.

 

Lavender and Grapefruit Martini

• 1 part fresh Grapefruit juice
• 2parts gin (Hendricks is my favorite)
• 1 small sprig of lavender
• a dusting of dried grapefruit zest for the rim of the glass

Take the zest from one grapefruit and layout on a lined oven sheet.   Place in the oven on low heat for approximately 5 minutes in a toaster oven is fine, about 350 Degrees.  The oils from the fruit come to the surface and are highly aromatic.   Zest should be just dried, not toasted, and then rubbed together into a fine powder.  

Prepare your glasses with the dried grapefruit zest.     

Fill your martini shakers with ice and pour two parts gin to one part grapefruit juice.  I prefer to not add sugar but if you do, a touch of agave would be nice. 

Add the lavender, perhaps just a few flower buds at first to the martini shaker, fresh pulp and one part grapefruit juice. 

Shake vigorously.  Enjoy with friends.  Walk home.

Cheers!