Tablescapes, Candied Lemon Martinis

Life didn’t give me lemons, it gave me lemon martini towels!
These little black and white cuties reminded me that I had some black and white martini glasses
They were desperate to be part of a tablescape…
So, I whipped up some Candied Lemon Martinis
[I’ll show you how to make these candied slices in a minute]
The low calorie Lemon Sorbet vodka sits on a mountain of crushed ice and is topped with candied lemon slices~ a vodka popsicle if you will… feel free to add a little lemonade if you like~ to see a recipe for Lemonade [no calorie] click here
The towels came in a set of 2, one black and one ticking stripe
I just folded the edge under and used them sideways as place mats
I mixed and matched plates and cups
The centerpiece is just a quart jar of flowers surrounded by lemons and moss in a large black and white bowl
The evening was dark and stormy
we might need some umbrellas~
but things were bright and cheery inside
The icy martinis tasted wonderful on a hot muggy night
But there was a chance of showers…
Here’s the dealio on the candied lemons:
Slice lemon into thin rounds and put in a pan of boiling water for 1 minute. Immediately submerge in a icewater bath. Dissolve sugar in water in a large skillet. Add lemons in a single layer and simmer on low about 45 minutes until the sugar starts to brown. Remove to a sheet of parchment paper and let sit for several hours.

Candied Lemon and Candied Lemon Martinis
Equipment
- martini glasses
Ingredients
- CANDIED LEMONS
Candied Lemons
- 1 lemon
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- ice bath
Candied Lemon Martini
- 2 oz. Lemon flavored Vodka [I used Smirnoff Sorbet Light Lemon reduced calorie]
- crushed ice
- lemonade to taste
- 2-3 candied lemon slices
Instructions
Candied Lemons
- Slice lemon into thin rounds.
- Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil. Remove from heat and add lemon slices. Let sit 1 minute. Transfer slices to ice bath.
- Dissolve sugar in water in a large skillet over medium heat. When sugar has dissolved add lemon slices in a single layer. Turn heat to low and simmer lemon slices about 45 minutes until the sugar begins to brown.
- Remove lemon slices to a sheet of parchment or wax paper. Let slices set up for several hours. Use lemons to garnish drinks or desserts. Increase quantities if desired.
Candied Lemon Martini
- Put ice into a martini glass and pour vodka and lemonade over ice. Float candied lemon slices on top~
Enjoy!
I can’t wait to use these to garnish a dessert, they are so pretty! Oh, and they taste divine too!
sources:
martini towels/Christmas Tree Shoppe
napkins/World Market spring
all other pieces I’ve had for a while~
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I love a black and white setting and yours is gorgeous, Jenna! Thanks so much for the candied lemon how to. I think I will give them a try and the martini.
The black and yellow look great together! Sounds like a fun drink too:@)
Such a striking table, Jenna!
thanks Marigene~
Oh, my what a gorgeous tablescape!
I wasn’t sure if you would get my email, so I’m leaving the code to the Mystery Ingredient link up. You can click here http://goo.gl/w50QXt
and follow the instructions, so the thumbnails will appear in your post.
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Have a wonderful evening.
Thanks so much Michael Lee, I can’t wait to see all the entries!
Love your tablescape and your centerpiece is fabulous! Thanks for sharing how to make candied lemon.
Thank you Bonnie, I can’t wait to make some more, it is so pretty!
My favorite kind of Popsicle, vodka! Your martinis sounds so refreshing Jenna and I love the addition of the candied lemons! Such a fun table too, I love black and white, it’s so energizing and perfect anytime of year. I always enjoying your creativity at a work, turning your towels into placemats is genius 🙂
Beautiful! The drink sounds delish!
I love the black and white theme! The pop of yellow is perfect for a little jazz. Your centerpiece is amazing – and, wow, what a beautiful bowl! 🙂
Jenna, your black and white table is perfect! I love those Martini glasses, and that giant bowl is gorgeous. Very clever use of the towels, and your centerpiece is a simple idea, but it makes such a statement. Thank you for the recipe for the candied lemons. I’ll be trying these soon. laurie
Thanks so much Laurie!
Your tablescapes are always so much fun. I love the large black bowl with the bold white flowers holding lemons and yellow roses. Hopefully you enjoyed a martini, when this table was complete, because you sure put your heart into this.
Thank you Wanda! I definitely had a martini!
Your table is absolutely beautiful…and great idea using the lemons…
Thanks Tammy!
Oh I am loving this tablescape….the black and white theme is wonderful! I have some of those smaller square plates and am totally in love with them too! I used your picture for my rustic and refined Facebook page to advertise the link party…..hope you don’t mind! (I scheduled it to post at 9:35 am today)
Of course not, I am very flattered! Thanks Chrisine!
Those are the cutest little umbrellas! I’ve never seen them in patterns like that! I like fancy little touches like that, and I think guests get a real kick out of them, too.
You made the very best of a dark and stormy night! Lemon yellow will wake up a dreary, cloud-impaired room in a heartbeat!
The martini sounds like just what the doctor ordered (or forbade, in my case!) for a hot summer day! 🙂
Thanks Alycia, I don’t know where I got those umbrellas, I’ve had them for a while, they came in a pack with other more Halloween color ones~sometimes you just grab something, knowing you will use it someday some way!
Hi Jenna – This tablescape is my mantra…. when life hands you lemons… make a martini! and a tablescape! Love it! Hugs, Holly
I love the color contrast of black and yellow there is something about these two colors together that just shout WOW this is a dynamic table.Susie
Thanks so much Susie
What a fun post!! I love your table and its components. Everything looks great together! And the recipe looks yummy!! Thanks! Rosie @ The Magic Hutch
So creative and fun! Love the whimsical martini glasses….great table.
This is so pretty and I love the theme. Who knew there was a Light Vodka on the market? I’m looking forward to trying the candied lemons also. Beautiful job Jenna!
Thanks Sandra! >
This was done su cutely- love the black and white theme with the lemons. I’m a big on things made with lemons so this recipe sounds like a winner!