It’s Leap Day! Even though Leap Year happens only once every four years, it has a cocktail named after it. The Leap Year Cocktail is made with gin, Grand Mariner, sweet vermouth and lemon juice.

An extra day on the calendar seems as good a reason as any to celebrate, so I made a cocktail inspired by the Leap Year Cocktail. I’m calling this the Leap Day Cocktail since I’ve strayed a bit from the recipe. Here I’ve used Cointreau in place of the Grand Mariner and dry vermouth instead of sweet. Since Meyer lemons are in season and have such great flavor and aroma I used Meyer lemon juice in place of standard lemon juice.

Leap Day Cocktail Recipe
2 ounces gin such as Hendrick’s
3/4 ounce clear orange liqueur such as Cointreau
1/2 ounce dry vermouth
1/2 ounce fresh Meyer lemon juice
Meyer lemon twist

Add gin, orange liqueur, vermouth and lemon juice to cocktail shaker. Add ice to cocktail shaker; cover and shake vigorously. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Makes 1 cocktail

Tip: If you don’t have Meyer lemon juice you can substitute standard lemon juice. Since standard lemon juice is more sour than Meyer lemon, use only 1/4 ounce standard lemon juice in the cocktail.

Recipe Link:
Citrus Blush Martini

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