Key Lime martini keeps ‘em happy at Club 609

I wrote a food story last week about a local guy, Jason Lieberman, who makes a killer lime tart. His tart is great and easy to make. What’s that have to do with booze, you ask? Not a thing. But, the same day inked the tart story I decided to head over to Club 609 and try out one of their Key Lime martinis.

Cat Lockwood at Club 609 in Joplin says the bar's Key Lime martini is one of their most popular happy-hour drinks.

I see lots of them go across the bar, so they must be a hot seller. Cat Lockwood, a bartender at Club 609, whipped me up the cocktail and offered her take on a drink that’s great for dessert — or any other time — and is sure to pucker and please.

Lime martini: 2.5 ounces vanilla vodka, 1 ounce pineapple juice & ½ ounce Roses Lime Juice. In a cocktail shaker, mix the ingredients over ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled martini glass rimmed in finely crushed graham cracker crumbs. Garnish with a sliced lime and serve. I also found this recipe online for the same story. I bet it would be great on a warm fall day with a little vodka. Source.

Cranberry limeade:  1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice, ½ cup unsweetened cranberry juice (if you use sweetened cranberry juice, reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe a little bit), simple syrup made with 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water & Additional 1½ cups water. Heat 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water in a small saucepan; bring to a boil so that the sugar is completely dissolved, and remove from heat. Once the syrup has cooled, strain out the zest with a fine mesh strainer before using. While your simple syrup is cooling, juice the limes. Add lime juice, cranberry juice, 1½ cups of cold water, the simple syrup, and a few ice cubes to a serving pitcher. Makes about one quart.

Source: simplyrecipes.com