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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Adrianne
I love the simple combination of ingredients here and the idea of sitting on the deck on a Friday afternoon tasting one of these!! Can’t wait to give it a sip, haha!
Alison
What a refreshing summer martini! Adding this one to my favorites list!
Natalie
Lemon is the perfect, refreshing flavor! The perfect entertaining drink!
Rachael Yerkes
These are fantastic! give me all the lemon flavor
Tara
This is so perfect for a hot summer evening!
Krissy Allori
This is such a great drink. It’s one of my favorites for sure. Yummy!
katerina @ diethood.com
Yes, please! This lemon drop martini sounds amazing!
Stephanie
This looks so refreshing! Definitely a perfect drink for the summer!
Lisalia
Lemon is my favorite flavor for ANYTHING. What a fresh twist on a martini!
Suzy
Love the bright flavors in this!
Colleen
I always have fresh lemons in my fridge, so I can’t wait to make this for our next cocktail night. I think I would like mine your way, without added sugar. Thanks!
Caitlyn Erhardt
I am a huge lemon fan, so these drinks sound amazing!
Ana @ Muy Delish
I love everything citrusy! The only time I have used triple sec is in margaritas and I’m so happy to have found another way to use it. Thanks for the fabulous recipe!
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome Ana! I hope you enjoy it!
Adrianne
I love a good cocktail and this martini sounds great!! It is nice that you and your hubby have that between you, need to have a good drink every now and then!! Cheers
Emmanuel Damian
Lemon Drop Martini looks so nice to do for friends and family. I hope I can do this on weekends. Yum!
Tiffany La Forge-Grau
Now THIS is how you end a week. I can just taste one of these now…YUM!