Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and prepare a baking sheet with parchment.
In a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and 1 1/2 cups sugar until light and fluffy.
Add eggs, vanilla and water. Mix on low until combined.
Add flour, baking soda and salt. Mix until combined.
Place remaining 1/2 cup sugar in a small bowl.
Using a medium scooper, scoop out 4 dough balls and roll them in the sugar.
Place them in the freezer for 10 minutes.
From the freezer, evenly space the cookies on the prepared baking sheet. Place in the oven and set a timer for 8 minutes.
Once you place these in the oven, you can start working on the next four balls.
When the timer goes off, the cookies should be slightly puffed up in the center. Carefully reach in (with oven mitts) and raise the pan a few inches above the baking rack. Then drop the pan back down to the baking rack. Do this twice.
Set a timer for 2 minutes. Repeat this banging process again two or three times.
Place them back in the oven for 2 - 3 more minutes, or until the edges start to turn golden. Cookies will bake 11-13 minutes total.
Repeat with the second set of frozen cookies and repeat the process with the rest of the dough