Ten Forward

Lower Drunks

Lower Drunks

3/4 oz lemon juice
3/4 oz simple syrup
1 1/2 oz absinthe
Tonic water

Shake with ice. Strain into large martini glass (or rocks glass if necessary). Top with tonic water.

Notes:

Named in honor of Star Trek's excellent animated series Lower Decks, this recipe is designed to be easy and quick, and pack a punch.

The tonic water is a bit surprising here, but it actually works to cut the overwhelming anise flavor of the absinthe. If you're trying to impress someone, garnish with a curl of lemon peel. Otherwise, who needs a garnish?

For simple syrup, mix equal quantities (say, 1 cup each) of water and white granulated sugar; boil to dissolve and then cool to supersaturation. Keep extra in a sealed container in the stasis device (fridge) for another episode. Or if you're as lazy as I am, buy some prebottled from the liquor store.