A Lemon Drop Martini is a classic cocktail that is both sweet and tart and sure to please any lemon lover. Our recipe gets a double dose of citrus flavor with citrus vodka and fresh lemon juice! The sugar rim adds a touch of sweetness to each sip and balances the tartness of the juice, making it a balanced, refreshing cocktail for everyone!
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Lemon Drop Martini 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, which is why I've been on a mission to make the best Lemon Drop Martini.
After many trials and errors, we landed on the perfect proportions for the best Lemon Drop recipe. You will love the results. These drinks are super easy to make and so delicious.
This recipe includes citrus vodka AND triple sec, which gives this drink serious citrus flavor. The simple syrup provides just the right amount of additional sweetness without overpowering the tanginess of the lemon juice.
Just be warned. Once you sip on this tasty cocktail, no other lemon drop cocktail will compare.
This blog post is also available as a Web Story.
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Why you'll love this recipe
▶︎ 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.
▶︎ Fancy enough for a party but approachable enough to make just one for yourself.
▶︎ A fan favorite. This recipe has been saved, pinned, and viewed more than 500,000 times!
Ingredients & Substitutions
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 Lemon Drop recipe.
Simple syrup: Easily found at any grocery store, but it is super easy to make your own simple syrup at home.
Instructions
This cocktail is so easy to make. The addition of a sugared rim makes it extra special!
Prep your glass. Rim the edge of a martini glass and invert it onto a plate filled with superfine sugar.
Grab your cocktail shaker and fill it with ice. Measure and pour vodka, lemon juice, and orange liqueur.
Last, add the simple syrup. Cover the shaker and shake the contents for at least 30 seconds. COLD martinis are the best martinis.
Finally, strain into the prepared glass and serve!
FAQs
Cocktails like this Lemon Drop Martini recipe 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.
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. Your Lemon Drop recipe will thank you for it.
Please don't forget this step. Superfine sugar is simply granulated sugar that has 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.
Cointreau is the best replacement for Triple Sec as it's also an orange liqueur. If you don't have that on hand, you could also use Grand Marnier or Orange Curaçao.
Expert tips for the best Lemon Drop cocktail
✘ 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 Lemon Drop martini 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 to a Lemon Drop cocktail, 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!
Now that you know how to make a Lemon Drop Martini, it's time to try one of our other cocktails.
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
Lemon Drop Martini
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
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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.
- 16 ounces citrus vodka
- 8 ounces triple sec
- 6 ounces simple syrup
- 12 ounces fresh lemon juice
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Nutrition
Nutrition info not guaranteed to be accurate.
Hi Deborah! I'm so happy you like these-they are one of my favorites! The batch recipe was moved to the notes of the recipe card to make it easier to find. With the fresh squeezed lemon juice I would keep them in the fridge for 2-3 days. Hope that helps! Thanks for your feedback and for being a Garnish with Lemon reader!
Deborah says
Made these recently for a girls night out and they were a hit!! These are the best lemon drops. Thank you so much. I thought I had read detailed directions on batch making these, but now I can't seem to find them. I see the amounts but no other details. Was wondering how long they would keep. They were fabulous.
Cindy says
Best Lemon Drop recipe ever! I've made them all summer!
Thank so much for the comment! So happy you love them!! cheers!
Dave D. says
Love the recipe!! My favorite for a Lemon Drop. I’m using Kettle One citrus vodka, Dekuyper Triple Sec and premade simple syrup. But always fresh Lemon juice!
So happy you like it! You can never go wrong with a really good Lemon Drop!
Ashley Wolfe says
I very much appreciated your breakdown of the ingredients. I did have to search up Triple Sec, but everything else was easy to read about here and locate in the store while shopping! I'll have to pass this on!
Hi Ashley, SO glad you found it helpful! Let us know how you like the lemon drop. It's one of my favorites!