The Perfect Lemon Drop Martini

1/3 cup sugar

Zest of 1 giant lemon or 2 medium lemons

3/4 cup lemonade good quality lemonade (Simply Lemonade is excellent or use fresh lemons make your own)

2 shots citrus vodka or lemon vodka (I used Smirnoff Citrus Vodka)

1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice (preferably from Meyer lemons)

½ cup granulated sugar or ultra fine granulated baking sugar

2 cups water or club soda