If you’re in the mood for something sweet but tart, look no further than the Best Lemon Drop Martini. It’s easy to elevate your cocktail game with this recipe that’s sure to impress!
I’m super excited to let you in on a little secret of mine – the Lemon Drop Martini. And you’re like, isn’t that just a shooter? Sort of. The thing is that the Lemon Drop can wear a lot of hats!
I first met the Lemon Drop at a friends’ hang-out. Our host for the night was this wannabe bartender who decided to shake things up and serve Lemon Drop Martinis. Not the strong shooter I recalled from those crazy college nights! No, it was the grown-up, classy version. I took one sip and it was love at first taste. The flavors had me hooked!
Let’s take a minute to chat about one of my all time favorites, the ever-classy Dry Martini and how it ties into our lovely Lemon Drop story. The Dry Martini is like the sleek and timeless grandparent of cocktails, keeping things plain and simple with just gin (or vodka for some modern versions), a touch of dry vermouth, and a lemon peel or olive for garnish. It’s grown up, it’s elegant and it’s as clear as your intentions on a Friday night out. Now, the Lemon Drop is like the more outspoken, kicky progeny of this traditional mix, borrowing that refined Martini spirit and putting a zesty lemony spin on it.
Why You Will Love This Cocktail Recipe
- It is incredibly easy to make. Trust me, you won’t need a bartending degree.
- I like how it has a wide range of flavors, including the tart lemon and the sweet simple syrup and triple sec.
- It’s elegant, especially with the sugared rim and the lemon twist.
- You can dial up the sweet, crank up the sour, or go hard on the vodka!
Equipment
- A cocktail shaker
- Jigger (to measure liquids)
- A citrus juicer
- A martini glass
- A plate to rim the glass with sugar
- A fine strainer (to catch small ice bits)
- Optional: a toothpick to hold the garnish (lemon twist)
Ingredients
- 2 oz of vodka
- 1/2 oz of triple sec
- 1 oz of freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 oz of simple syrup
- Ice
- Lemon twist and sugar as garnishes
Instructions
- Use a lemon wedge to moisten the rim of the martini glass, then dip the rim into the sugar.
- In a shaker, mix together the vodka, triple sec, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and simple syrup.
- Fill the shaker with ice and vigorously shake for around 15-20 seconds until the mixture becomes cold and well-blended.
- Strain the concoction into the sugar-rimmed martini glass and adorn it with a lemon twist garnish.
Tips & Tricks
- I always pop my martini glass into the freezer while I am prepping. I love how it keeps my Lemon Drop cooler for longer and adds a fancy touch.
- I really recommend squeezing your lemon juice yourself instead of using a bottled one.
- Don’t just give it a gentle toss, really shake it! You need to melt melt a bit of the ice to help marry all the flavors together.
- Before serving, give your mix a taste and adjust the simple syrup or lemon juice a bit.
Variations
- Skinny Lemon Drop Martini: Swap simple syrup for a natural, low-carb sweetener like stevia or monk fruit sweetener.
- Lemon Drop Martini Mocktail: Swap the vodka and triple sec for sparkling water and a splash of orange juice.
- Raspberry Lemon Drop Martini: Muddle in a handful of fresh raspberries into the shaker before adding the rest of the ingredients.
- Lemon Drop Champagne Martini: Substitute half of the vodka with champagne for a fizzy spin.
FAQs
A classic Lemon Drop Martini can run you 200-225 calories. If you want to cut down, use a low-cal sweetener instead of syrup to bring that calorie count down.
Sip slowly and savor that sweet-tart-citrusy flavor. Don’t get too fancy with straws.
No problem! Lime juice is a fun twist, changing up the citrus tone of the classic Lemon Drop Martini.
All you have to do is scale up your recipe and whip it up in a pitcher. When it’s time to serve, shake up individual portions in a shaker, and voila!
I like having it with smoked salmon or a cheesy charcuterie board.
Making Ahead and Storing A Lemon Drop Martini
The Lemon Drop Martini is a perfect make-ahead cocktail for parties. Just blend all the ingredients together, hold the ice, and chill it in the fridge. Ready to party? Shake it well with ice, strain it into sugar-rimmed glasses, garnish, and, boom! You’re all set. If by some miracle there’s any left – almost never happens for me – just pop it back in the fridge. Remember to pump some shake into it before serving next time. It should still taste as fresh as a Daisy for about a week!
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