The lemon drop martini is a popular cocktail that is known for its perfectly balanced sweet and sour flavor profile! Its signature taste comes from a blend of vodka, triple sec, simple syrup, and lemon juice shaken and chilled with a sugar rim to complete the drink. It will make you pucker, but in a good way, like your favorite lemon candy!
Best Lemon Drop Cocktail
This bright and citrusy cocktail is enjoyed worldwide, with its perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors. Vodka, triple sec, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and simple syrup are the key ingredients in this classic summertime drink.
A sugar-rimmed glass further enhances the candy-like experience! If you're on the hunt for a new fruity vodka cocktail, a lemon drop martini will not disappoint.
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🌎 Origin
The lemon drop martini is a modern classic cocktail that is believed to have originated in the 1970s in San Francisco, California. Often attributed to Norman Jay Hobday, the founder of the now-closed bar "Henry Africa's," the sweet and tangy lemon drop candy inspired the cocktail.
Known for its innovative cocktails and lively atmosphere, Henry Africa's introduced the Lemon Drop Martini as a vodka-based, sweet-and-sour drink that quickly gained popularity across the United States.
🍹 Lemon Drop Martini Ingredients
You really only need 4 ingredients to make a lemon drop martini: vodka, triple sec, simple syrup, and lemon juice. The sugar rim is optional, but it gives a lemon drop martini its signature touch!
- Sugar - sugar (for rimming the glass).
- Vodka - 2 ounces of vodka. Use high-quality vodka for a smoother and more enjoyable lemon drop martini.
- Triple Sec - ½ ounce of triple sec or Cointreau.
- Simple Syrup - 1 ounce of simple syrup. (*See note below on how to make your own simple syrup!)
- Lemon Juice - 1 ounce of lemon juice (freshly squeezed is best).
- Lemon Twist (optional) - 1 lemon twist for garnish.
*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*
🍸 How To Make A Lemon Drop Martini
You are just a shake away from a refreshing vodka cocktail! Grab your home bar kit, a cocktail shaker, and a martini glass to get started.
- Sugar rim. Rub a lemon wedge around the edge of a martini glass and roll it in granulated sugar to give the glass a sugar rim.
- Combine the ingredients. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and pour in 2 ounces of vodka, 1 ounce of simple syrup, 1 ounce of lemon juice, and ½ ounce of triple sec.
- Shake. Cover and shake for 15-20 seconds, or until thoroughly chilled, and strain into your prepared martini glass.
- Enjoy. Garnish with a lemon twist if desired, and enjoy!
A lemon drop martini is the perfect drink for brunch, dinner parties, or lounging by the pool! Make sure it's served cold for the most refreshing taste. Enjoy!
🥂 Cocktail Tips & Variations
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice is key to achieving the perfect balance of tart and sweet flavors. Avoid bottled lemon juice, as it tastes artificial and overly acidic.
- I recommend adding the sugar rim to your glass a few minutes before making your cocktail so the sugar has time to dry and harden. That will help keep it from falling into the drink and everywhere else!
- If you prefer a sweeter lemon drop martini, you can adjust the amount of simple syrup or sugar to your taste.
- For an extra punch of citrus, zest some lemon peel into the sugar you use to rim the glass!
- You can also try adding an egg white to the cocktail shaker before shaking it for a frothy, creamy texture. This creates a silky mouthfeel and a lovely foam on top of the drink. Be sure to shake the mixture without ice (a "dry shake") for about 10 seconds, then add ice and shake again until cold. This technique ensures that the egg white is fully incorporated and frothy. (*It is never 100% safe to consume raw eggs, but the risk of salmonella is greatly reduced if you wash your egg shells before cracking).
🍲 Foods To Serve With
- Crab Rangoons
- Sous Vide Chicken Breast
- Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta
- Broiled Lobster Tails
- Steamed Clams
- Parmesan Orzo
>>>>See all of my recipes here<<<<
❓ Recipe FAQs
The best vodka to use in a lemon drop martini is a high-quality, neutral-flavored vodka. Some popular options include Grey Goose, Ketel One, and Belvedere.
Because a lemon drop is a chilled drink, granulated sugar won't dissolve very well. Instead, try making your own simple syrup! Simply add ½ cup of water and ½ cup of granulated sugar to a saucepan. Place it on the stovetop over medium heat and stir until the sugar has dissolved. You can use this simple syrup in any cocktail recipe once it has cooled. Keep it stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 month.
The main difference between a lemon drop martini and a regular martini is the addition of lemon juice and simple syrup. Regular martinis are made with gin or vodka and dry vermouth, whereas lemon drop martinis are made with vodka, triple sec, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
😋 More Tasty Cocktails
- White Lady Cocktail - Indulge in the sophistication of this classic gin cocktail, balanced with the sweet and sour flavors of Cointreau and lemon juice.
- Sidecar Cocktail - A blend of cognac, orange liqueur, and lemon juice, the Sidecar is the epitome of elegance and bold flavor.
- Old Fashioned Cocktail - Savor the rich and smooth taste of this iconic whiskey cocktail.
- Whiskey Sour Cocktail - The perfect combination of sour and sweet flavors, made with whiskey, lemon juice, and a touch of simple syrup.
- Bay Breeze Cocktail - Transport yourself to a tropical paradise with the refreshing blend of cranberry juice, pineapple juice, and vodka.
- Fuzzy Navel - Enjoy the sweet and fruity flavors of this simple yet delicious cocktail, featuring peach schnapps and orange juice!
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📖 Recipe Card
Lemon Drop Martini
Ingredients
- sugar (for rimming the glass)
- ice
- 2 oz vodka
- 1 oz simple syrup
- 1 oz lemon juice (freshly squeezed is best)
- ½ oz triple sec (or Cointreau)
- 1 lemon twist (optional, for garnish)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- Rub a lemon wedge around the edge of a martini glass and roll it in granulated sugar to give the glass a sugar rim.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and pour in the vodka, simple syrup, lemon juice, and triple sec.
- Shake for 15-20 seconds, or until thoroughly chilled, and strain into your prepared martini glass.
- Garnish with a lemon twist if desired, and enjoy!
Notes
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice is key to achieving the perfect balance of tart and sweet flavors. Avoid bottled lemon juice, as it tastes artificial and overly acidic.
- I recommend adding the sugar rim to your glass a few minutes before making your cocktail so the sugar has time to dry and harden. That will help keep it from falling into the drink and everywhere else!
- If you prefer a sweeter lemon drop martini, you can adjust the amount of simple syrup or sugar to your taste.
- For an extra punch of citrus, zest some lemon peel into the sugar you use to rim the glass!
- You can also try adding an egg white to the cocktail shaker before shaking it for a frothy, creamy texture. This creates a silky mouthfeel and a lovely foam on top of the drink. Be sure to shake the mixture without ice (a "dry shake") for about 10 seconds, then add ice and shake again until cold. This technique ensures that the egg white is fully incorporated and frothy. (*It is never 100% safe to consume raw eggs, but the risk of salmonella is greatly reduced if you wash your egg shells before cracking).
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