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    Home » Vodka » Lemon Drop Martini Recipe

    Published: Apr 22, 2019 · Modified: Mar 28, 2022 by Lisa · This post may contain affiliate links, which means we make a small commission off items you purchase at no additional cost to you.

    Lemon Drop Martini Recipe

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    Pinterest image of Lemon Drop martini recipe in a single glass with lemon wedges for garnish.
    Filled martini glass with shaker and lemon wedges.
    Lemon drop martini in glasses and shaker.
    Filled martini glass with sugared rim.

    Bright and refreshing, this Lemon Drop Martini recipe is the perfect balance of sweet and sour. This classic vodka cocktail is a welcome addition to any event and can be made with just 4 ingredients in less than 5 minutes. Add a sugared rim and a lemon twist and you are party ready!

    martini in a short martini glass a sugar rim and lemon twists for garnish. this recipe

    Have you ever had a fabulous cocktail out at a restaurant, tried to recreate it, and ended up disappointed with the results? Me too, so I was on a mission to make the best Lemon Drop Martini.

    After many trials and errors, we landed on the perfect proportions for the best recipe. You will love the results. These drinks are super easy to make and so delicious.

    Just be warned. Once you sip on this tasty cocktail, no other lemon drop martini will compare.

    This blog post is also available as a Web Story.

    Jump to:
    • Why you will love this lemon drop martini
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • FAQs
    • Expert tips for the best martinis
    • More Martini Recipes
    • Recipe

    Why you will love this lemon drop martini

    ▶︎ A secret ingredient sets this martini recipe apart from the rest: citrus vodka! This simple addition makes a super smooth and lemony martini.

    ▶︎ The ingredient list is short. You only need 4 ingredients for this easy drink.

    ▶︎It's smooth with a perfect balance of sweet and sour, and the sugared rim is a festive touch for bar quality drinks at home.

    ▶︎ It's fancy enough for a party but approachable enough to make just one for yourself.

    ▶︎ It's a fan favorite. This recipe has been saved, pinned, and viewed more than 500,000 times!

    Ingredients

    You only need 4 ingredients for this classic cocktail.

    Absolut citron vodka bottle, triple sec bottle, small jar filled with lemon juice, mason jar of simple syrup and superfine sugar.

    Ingredient Notes:

    Vodka: Use citrus vodka for the best tasting Lemon Drop Martini.

    Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice is the only way to go. It takes seconds to squeeze with a citrus juicer.

    Orange Liqueur: You can use Triple Sec or Cointreau for this drink. Both are orange liqueurs and can be used interchangeably in this recipe.

    Simple syrup can be found at any grocery store but is super easy to make your own simple syrup at home.

    Instructions

    This cocktail is so easy to make but the sugared rim makes it extra special!

    Martini glass being rimmed with a lemon wedge and dipped in sugar.

    Prep your glass. Rim the edge of a martini glass and invert glass onto a plate filled with superfine sugar.

    Vodka, lemon juice and triple sec being poured in a shaker filled with ice.

    Grab your cocktail shaker and fill it with ice. Measure and pour vodka, lemon juice, and orange liqueur.

    Pouring simple syrup into shaker, covered shaker and straining lemon drop martini into sugar rimmed glass.

    Last, add the simple syrup. Cover the shaker and shake contents for at least 30 seconds. COLD martinis are the best martinis. Finally, strain contents into the prepared glass and serve!

    Lemon drop martinis in glasses with lemon twists for garnish.

    FAQs

    What is the best vodka?

    Cocktails are only going to be as good as the individual ingredients. So a high-quality citrus vodka is a must. We used Absolut Citron for this drink but Belvedere, Grey Goose and Stoli also make citrus vodka.

    Does fresh citrus juice really make a difference?

    YES! And for this cocktail please only use fresh lemon juice. Leave the stuff in the bottle for another time. It takes minimal effort to squeeze the lemon but the taste difference is monumental.

    Do I need to rim the glass with superfine sugar?

    Please don't forget this step. Superfine sugar is simply granulated sugar that is a finer grain allowing it to dissolve faster. It sweetens the drink without the grainy residue that regular sugar can leave behind. It’s easy to do and absolutely essential for this recipe. The little touches like this sugared rim are what make fun cocktails even more special.

    Lemon drop martinis in glasses with lemon twists for garnish.

    Expert tips for the best martinis

    ✘ Use high quality ingredients. When you are making cocktails with a short ingredient list, you can definitely taste the difference. Fresh lemon juice is a must for this recipe.

    ✘ Use enough ice. The more ice you have in the shaker, the easier it is to get it chilled.

    ✘ Shake your martini well. Nobody likes a lukewarm martini. The longer you shake it, the colder (and better) it is. We recommend at least 30 seconds.

    ✘ Use a pretty glass. Everything tastes better when it looks good. It's easy to elevate your drink game using an elegant coupe glass.

    ✘ Garnish before serving. A simple lemon twist adds a perfect finishing touch and they are easy to make with a channel knife. It's the little things that level up your home bartending skills.

    More Martini Recipes

    We haven't met a martini we didn't like. Try one of our favorites!

    • Appletini
    • Grapefruit Martini
    • Godiva Chocolate Martini
    • Easy Pear Martini

    This Cranberry Martini is an updated version of a traditional Cosmo Recipe - compare them and see what your favorite is! And fresh orange juice is the secret to making this Orange Martini delicious!

    Love vodka? Don't miss the rest of our vodka cocktails!

    
    
    Did you make this recipe? We'd love to hear your thoughts! 
    
    Please rate the recipe and leave a comment below. Your feedback helps us and your fellow readers! 
    
    
    

    Recipe

    martini glasses on table with lemon peels.

    Lemon Drop Martini Recipe

    Garnish With Lemon
    Bright and refreshing, this Lemon Drop Martini recipe is the perfect balance of sweet and sour. This classic vodka cocktail is a welcome addition to any event and can be made with just 4 ingredients in less than 5 minutes. The sugared rim & lemon twist are the finishing touches that elevate your home bartending skills.
    4.63 from 106 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Total Time 5 mins
    Course Vodka
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 cocktail
    Calories 285 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Mini Measuring Beaker Set
    • Citrus Juicer
    • Cocktail Shaker

    Ingredients
      

    • Superfine sugar for glasses
    • lemon wedges
    • 2 ounces Citrus vodka
    • 1½ ounces Fresh lemon Juice
    • 1 ounce orange liqueur (Triple Sec or Cointreau)
    • ¾ ounce simple syrup

    Instructions
     

    • Place superfine sugar on a small plate.
      Superfine sugar for glasses
    • Run a lemon wedge around the edge of the martini glasses and invert in the superfine sugar to coat the rims. Set glasses aside.
      lemon wedges
    • Fill a shaker with ice and add vodka, lemon juice, orange liqueur, and simple syrup. Shake well for at least 30 seconds.
      2 ounces Citrus vodka, 1 ounce orange liqueur, ¾ ounce simple syrup, 1½ ounces Fresh lemon Juice
    • Strain into prepared glasses and serve immediately. Garnish with lemon twists, if desired.

    Notes

    • Vodka: Citrus vodka is the secret ingredient that makes this Lemon Drop taste so smooth.
    • Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice is best and takes seconds to squeeze with a citrus juicer.
    • Orange Liqueur: You can use Triple Sec or Cointreau for this drink. Both are orange liqueurs and can be used interchangeably in this recipe.
    • Simple syrup can be found at any grocery store but is super easy to make your own simple syrup at home.
    How to make a pitcher of 8 Lemon Drop Martinis: 
    • 16 ounces citrus vodka
    • 8 ounces triple sec
    • 6 ounces simple syrup
    • 12 ounces fresh lemon juice

    VIDEO

    Nutrition

    Serving: 5ouncesCalories: 285kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 16mgPotassium: 66mgFiber: 1gSugar: 26gVitamin A: 3IUVitamin C: 16mgCalcium: 6mgIron: 1mg

    Nutrition info not guaranteed to be accurate.

    Did you make this recipe?Tag us on Instagram or leave a comment!
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    About Lisa

    Hi, I’m Lisa! Looking for the party? It’s probably at my house. Nothing brings me more joy than sharing good food with friends and family. That and a seriously good cocktail.

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    Comments

    1. Ashe says

      October 19, 2022 at 6:53 am

      5 stars
      This recipe is so good. Thanks for the recipe.

      Reply
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