You’ll look like a master bartender when you shake up an Elderflower Lemon Drop Martini for happy hour at home!

Easy Elderflower Martini Recipe

What do you get when you combine elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, and vodka? Your new go-to martini for happy hour that looks fancy, but is SO easy to make!

We took our rock-solid and super popular Lemon Drop Martini recipe and updated it with the addition of elderflower liqueur. The subtle difference takes this classic cocktail and makes it even better. Proof positive that you can improve a classic!

What is elderflower liqueur?

New to the elderflower scene? Let us catch you up! We have a whole post about elderflower liqueur to get you up to speed in no time flat! Click through the link to learn more about what it is, what it tastes like and ideas for other elderflower cocktail recipes. 

Once you try our favorite liqueur, you will be searching for all the elderflower drinks.

Martini ingredients

The ingredient list for this Elderflower Lemon Drop cocktail is short and sweet:

• Elderflower Liqueur
• Citrus Vodka
• Fresh Lemon Juice
• Simple Syrup
• Triple Sec
• Superfine Sugar

Best vodka for a martini

Cocktails are only going to be as good as the individual ingredients. That’s why we start with the best vodka.

And for this martini, make sure it’s a citrus flavor. The citrus vodka makes it so much smoother than plain, but plain can be used if you are in a pinch!

Citrus vodka is easy to find and there are many good options that won’t break the bank. I used Absolut Citron, but Belvedere, Grey Goose, and Stolichnaya also make citrus vodka.

Always use fresh citrus juice in cocktails

Does it really make a difference? YES! And for this martini, please only use fresh lemon juice. Juicing lemons is easy, especially when you have this reamer. It’s a workhorse in my kitchen.

It doesn’t take much time or effort to squeeze the lemon but the taste differential is huge.

Promise.

Make simple syrup at home

Simple syrup is a sweetener made from dissolving equal parts of sugar and water together. It’s a snap to make at home.

Follow these easy steps for perfect Simple Syrup every time:

1. Add equal parts sugar and water to a small saucepan
2. Heat over medium to medium-low heat until it boils.
3. Boil for 3 minutes or until the sugar dissolves.
4. Let syrup cool and store in an airtight container.

The best news?

Simple syrup keeps in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, which is great since it is used in so many different cocktails.

Pro tip: Don’t want to make simple syrup at home?

You can purchase simple syrup at the liquor store or in the aisle with all of the other drink mixers at the grocery store. I’ve used store-bought plenty of times, but once you find how easy it is to make, you might change your mind.

What is Triple Sec?

Triple sec is a clear, slightly sweet orange liqueur that is commonly used in cocktails. Other Orange Liqueurs are Cointreau and Grand Marnier.

You can easily find Triple Sec in the liqueur aisle where alcohol is sold.

Superfine sugar explained

Many cocktail recipes call for superfine sugar. Every well-stocked bar/kitchen should have some on hand because it does make a difference in your drinks.

Superfine sugar is simply granulated sugar that is a finer grain allowing it to dissolve faster. It sweetens without the grainy residue that regular sugar can leave behind.

Where can I find superfine sugar?

It’s also called Caster Sugar, Baker’s Sugar, white cane super quick dissolve sugar or just Superfine Sugar.

You can order superfine sugar online or find it in the baking aisle of any grocery store.

If you don’t have any on hand or can’t find it at the store, don’t worry. You can make your own superfine sugar at home in minutes:

1. Put a cup of granulated sugar in a food processor and pulse until almost smooth.
2. Store in an airtight container until needed.

Instructions

It’s easy to make great drinks at home! Just be sure to measure your ingredients instead of eyeballing it.

Trust us, it makes a HUGE difference in how your cocktail tastes and no one wants to dump all of that good alcohol down the drain because the proportions are off.

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add 1 ounce elderflower liqueur, 1 ounce Triple Sec, 1 ounce simple syrup and 2 ounces fresh lemon juice
3. Shake well and strain the liquid into a martini glass with a sugared rim
4. Garnish it with a lemon twist and serve immediately.

Pro Tip: Elderflower Lemon Drops are BEST served ICE cold! Be sure to shake it well over lots of ice!

Shake vs stir

Drinks that have citrus juice in them need to be shaken, not stirred and here’s why:

First of all, shaking a cocktail with citrus breaks down the juice and the result is a cocktail that is light and refreshing instead of acidic. 

Secondly, citrus juice and alcohol have different densities and won’t mix easily unless they are shaken together.

Best martini glass

Lemon drop cocktails are typically served in martini glasses with sugared rims. There are a variety of styles of martini glasses available. Some have stems, some are stemless. Use whatever version you prefer.

Unlike most garnishes that are just for show, the sugared rim is an important component of this drink. If you’re feeling particularly fancy, go ahead and add the lemon twist for even more flair.

How to rim a glass with sugar

It’s easy to do and absolutely essential for this elderflower lemon drop martini. The little touches like this sugared rim are what make fun cocktails even more special.

Follow these simple steps to rim the martini glass with sugar.

• Pour superfine sugar on to a small plate.
• Cut a lemon into wedges and run a wedge around the rim of the martini glass to moisten the edge.
• Invert the rim into the superfine sugar until evenly coated.
• Turn the glass over and set aside until ready to use.

It only takes 30 seconds it takes to rim the glass with a lemon wedge and dip it in the sugar, but it is the difference between a good cocktail and a great one.

Want to have an elderflower drink any night of the week? It’s easy when you make a lemon sour mix ahead of time. This mix keeps in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or you can freeze it into ice cubes to have lemon sour mix always on hand. 

Fresh Lemon Sour Mix Recipe

• 12 ounces fresh lemon juice
• 6 ounces simple syrup
• Place lemon juice and simple syrup in a mason jar.
• Shake well to combine.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze into ice cubes.

Cocktails are our jam! Check out our most popular cocktail recipes!

Check out all of our cocktail recipes!

• Lemon Drop Martini Recipe
• Elderflower Martini
• Chocolate Martini Recipe
• Grapefruit Martini
• Strawberry Vodka Cocktails
• Vodka Soda
• Elderflower Gin & Tonic

More of our Favorite Elderflower Drinks

• Elderflower French 75
• Bourbon Elderflower Cocktails
• Elderflower Gin Gimlet
• Elderflower Spanish Gin and Tonics

Continue to Content

Yield: Makes 1 Cocktail

Easy Elderflower Lemon Drop Martini Recipe

Print

Add a splash of elderflower liqueur to your classic lemon drop martini for a refreshing twist on an old favorite.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 ounces citrus vodka
• 1 ounce elderflower liqueur
• 1 ounce triple sec
• 1 ounce simple syrup
• 2 ounces fresh lemon juice
• Superfine sugar and lemon wedge for rim

Instructions

1. Place superfine sugar on a small plate.
2. Run a lemon wedge around the edge of the martini glasses and invert glasses in the superfine sugar to coat the rims.
3. Fill a shaker with ice and add Vodka, Elderflower Liqueur Triple Sec, simple syrup and lemon juice. Shake well.
4. Strain into glasses and serve immediately.

Notes

Hosting a crowd?

Use these measurements to make 8 Elderflower Lemon Drop Martinis:

• 16 ounces citrus vodka
• 8 ounces elderflower liqueur
• 8 ounces triple sec
• 8 ounces simple syrup
• 16 ounces fresh lemon juice

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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  OXO 1245380 Good Grips 4-Piece Mini Measuring Beaker Set,Clear
• 
  OXO 1064758 Good Grips Wooden Reamer,Beech

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

1

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 388Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 4mgCarbohydrates: 43gFiber: 3gSugar: 35gProtein: 1g

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Love a classic Lemon Drop Martini? A splash of elderflower liqueur gives a smooth, refreshing twist to an old favorite. One sip and you might start to make this Elderflower Lemon Drop Martini your new go-to cocktail for happy hour!