Impress your friends with this easy recipe for a delicious lemon drop martini. Made with just a few ingredients, you’ll be sipping on the perfect balance of sweet and sour in no time!
Refreshing Lemon Drop Martini
Hubby and I like to have a cocktail or two on the weekends, and these martinis are always a welcome refreshment. These classic cocktails are full of flavor from fresh lemon juice and are always a hit with family and friends. Fresh lemons are abundant and juicy during the peak summer months, making this one of our favorite summer martinis.
We also enjoy making these with Meyer Lemons in the early Spring. They are a little sweeter than regular lemons, making for a refreshing cocktail. Meyer lemons are seasonal, so you may only be able to find them from December through May.
What is in a Lemon Drop Martini?
- Vodka – excellent quality like Skyy, Grey Goose, or Tito’s
- Triple Sec or Cointreau
- Simple syrup – will last about one month stored in an airtight container in the fridge
- Lemon juice – fresh, of course
- Fine sugar – for glass rim
- Lemon zest – for glass rim
How to Make a Lemon Drop Martini
This cocktail could not be easier. Run the rim of the glass with lemon juice and dip the edge in fine sugar. In a cocktail shaker, combine ice cubes, vodka, triple sec or Cointreau, lemon juice, and simple syrup (if desired). Give it a little shake and pour it through the strainer into your martini glass. It is just that simple to mix up! There is nothing to it!!
Recipe Tips
- If you can’t find fine sugar or want to save money, simply give a little granulated sugar a spin in your food processor. With just a few pulses, you’ll have your very own homemade superfine sugar.
- To prepare your simple syrup, heat equal amounts of water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir the mixture until the sugar dissolves, and let it fully cool. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a month.
- Use good quality vodka like Skyy, Grey Goose, or Tito’s. Try using a citron vodka.
- If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, don’t fret. You can use a clean jar, protein shaker, or even a sports bottle.
- Adjust the martini to taste. If more sweetness is desired, add another splash of simple syrup.
- Garnish with a lemon twist, lemon wedge, or slice of lemon.
What is Cointreau?
Cointreau is a brand of triple sec. It combines the fresh peels of sweet oranges with the dried peels of sweet and bitter oranges. With just three other simple ingredients: pure water, sugar, and neutral alcohol, the orange flavor really shines through.
More Fresh Lemon Recipes
Lemon Drop Martini Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka or citrus vodka
- 3/4 ounce triple sec or Cointreau
- 3/4 ounce simple syrup
- 3/4 ounce lemon juice
- Ice
- Fine sugar
- Lemon Zest
Instructions
- Combine a little fine sugar and lemon zest in a shallow bowl. Run the rim of a martini glass with lemon juice and dip it into the mixture.
- Fill the shaker with ice, vodka, triple sec, lemon juice (throw in the peels, too), and simple syrup to taste. Shake well.
- Pour in the rimmed martini glass and enjoy.
Notes
- If you can’t find fine sugar or want to save money, simply give a little granulated sugar a spin in your food processor. With just a few pulses, you’ll have your very own homemade superfine sugar.
- To prepare your simple syrup, heat equal amounts of water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir the mixture until the sugar dissolves, and let it fully cool. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a month.
- Use good quality vodka like Skyy, Grey Goose, or Tito’s. Try using a citron vodka.
- If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, don’t fret. You can use a clean jar, protein shaker, or even a sports bottle.
- Adjust the martini to taste. If more sweetness is desired, add another splash of simple syrup.
- Garnish with a lemon twist, lemon wedge, or slice of lemon.
Nutrition
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Wendy Polisi
You had me sold at martini. I LOVE lemon flavored things and martinis are a given.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Wendy! I love lemons as well!
artchee
I don’t drink martini’s that much but this looks like a good try for me. :0)
Amy Desrosiers
I am all about the citrus alcoholic drinks. Lemon is my favorite flavor so I know I woudl really enjoy this!
Porsha carr
This is great for a Friday night like oh say tonight 🙂
Summer Shores
This martini looks amazing! Definitely going to make this.
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much! You will love them!
kristin lesney
This looks great. Love a flavored martini, such a elegant yet versatile drink.
Beth Pierce
Yes indeed they are. Thanks so much!
Subhashish Roy
I actually love this Martini. Have tried this earlier & it tastes lovely.Thanks for refreshing my memories.
Melanie Walsh
I’m like your husband…I like all of the sweetness. I adore lemon drop martinis, but I’ve never made one myself. Can’t wait to try this for our next neighborhood get together!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Melanie! I hope you enjoy them! They are delicious!
jaye shields
I love lemon drops. Since I live in Cali and I have a lemon tree in my yard, I have to admit that this cocktail is my guilty pleasure go-to!
Funke Olotu
I love anything with lemon in it. I’ll be trying this out ‘
Stacie
That looks like one tasty martini. Martinis are always my go-to cocktail, and lemon drop is one of my all-time favorites.
Sandi
This cocktail is one of my favorites…I will be making this Friday evening 🙂
Beth Pierce
That sounds like a great plan Sandi!
Jennifer Farley
Being a lemon lover, I love this martini! So good!
Shadi
I love anything with lemon flavor! Bet my friends will enjoy this drink!
Beth Pierce
Awesome! I hope they enjoy it too!!
Dini
This was really easy, delicious and so refreshing! Thank you so much for sharing, the citrus really makes the flavors pop!
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine! Cheers!
Pansy
Hey “BETH PIERCE” I Like Lemon Drop Martini Its really fantastic to eat thank you man
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome!!