The Weekly Nightcap - Tartini

one of my all time favorite restaurants in baltimore is woodberry kitchen. it is the whole package - great atmosphere, excellent food, good ethics (they use seasonal, sustainable ingredients from local farmers), and great drinks.

my cousin, g and her husband b, had their rehearsal dinner at woodberry kitchen so the place always conjures up good memories. i also had a particularly fun evening there with my college roomies involving a long wait appeased by a free bottle of cava sparkling wine and a beautiful may night.

perhaps my favorite part of the woodberry kitchen experience is choosing a drink. their drink menu is always changing and intriguing. i usually want one of everything but my favorite is their tartini. if you happen to be lucky enough to find yourself at woodberry kitchen, you probably won't find the tartini on their menu - it is constantly changing. but, if you ask nicely, the bartender will almost always make it for you.

in a couple of minutes, you will find yourself sitting in front of a beautiful sugar-rimmed martini glass full of a pale yellow elixir sure to cure even your worst of ailments. this drink is perfection - the perfect balance of tart and sweet, strong yet smooth and downright delectable. the mere sip of the tartini conjures up warm summer nights, lightening bugs, and laughter.

one night with my belly full of goodness and my head brimming with tartinis, i was lucky enough to convince an agreeable bartender to write the recipe on a bar napkin for me. my family, friends, and i have been enjoying them ever since. if you are longing for spring weather as i am, i suggest you make these tartinis. if i can't feel spring, at least i can have a taste of summer . . .

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Tartini
serves 2 
courtesy of woodberry kitchen

2 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 oz simple syrup (i make mine with 1 part agave and 2 parts water)
2 oz vodka
4 oz raspberry vodka
additional lemon juice and raw sugar for rimming the glass, if desired


run the wedge of a lemon around the rim of 2 martini glasses. turn glasses upside down and press into a small plate of raw sugar, twirling the glass so that the sugar sticks to the rim.

in a cocktail shaker full of ice, add ingredients and shake well.

strain into 2 rimmed martini glasses, sit back, relax, sip, and enjoy!