Lime Drop Martini

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

Enjoy a few elegant and tart tipples with the crisp and sweet Lime Drop Martini.

It was a drab weekend, so I felt like a little time travel. I knew where Mr. Peabody kept his Wayback Machine, too, so all I needed to do was “borrow” it again. I always bring it back, and the beauty of having access to a device that can bend time and space is that I’m always on time, too. In fact, I don’t think that smarty-pants pup has ever noticed that I’ll use it every once in a while. And if Sherman ever tells, I’m dropping him off in the Cretaceous period.

But today I stepped out into the late 1970s of San Francisco, wearing tight bellbottoms, a butterfly collar and feeling frisky. Plus, holding what was considered a modest amount of cash by today’s standards, I felt rich. I stepped into the first cocktail bar I saw, feeling both thirsty and frisky. Once I stepped into the low-lit, smoky tavern and heard Steely Dan on the jukebox, I knew I was in the right place.

Stepping up to the bar, and noticing there were ferns everywhere, I mentioned I was feeling kind of tart, and a little sweet. I wanted a little bit of candy in a glass, so hopefully the barkeep was digging what I was saying. I saw triple sec, lime juice, and some simple syrup go into a shaker… was I getting a Margarita? But then I saw the vodka, and everything was shaken until the bartender’s hands were almost frozen.

A citrusy-looking concoction was poured into a martini glass and slid my way. One sip from this Lime Drop Martini convinced me to stay a little longer than I had planned. I had a time machine, I was in no rush.

What Is The Best Alcohol To Use In A Lime Drop Martini?

For this recipe, you’re going to need some vodka and triple sec to make your Lime Drop Martini pucker some faces up. In a good way, of course. I usually suggest that you choose an unflavored, plain vodka when mixing the spirit up for most cocktails, and this one is no different. If you want a more pronounced citrus taste, you can opt for a citron-infused spirit. But I like to let the other ingredients do the work, while the vodka assimilates and accentuates what it’s being melded with.

FAQs & Tips

WHAT GLASSWARE AND GARNISH ARE USED?

Rub the rim of a martini glass with a lime and line it with sugar, so that each sip you take has a little sweetness to it. Before you do that, though, put the glass in the freezer for up to 30 minutes to make your cocktail extra cold and smooth. Garnish with a lime twist.

CAN YOU STORE THE LIME DROP MARTINI?

Yes, you can upscale the ingredients (no ice) if you’re making this drink for a large group, and store it in a large airtight container in your fridge, stirring gently. Shake individual servings over ice when you’re ready to pour.

IS THIS CONSIDERED AN “AUTHENTIC” MARTINI?

No. While many mixed drinks served in martini glasses are often called “martinis” due to their look, an official and authentic one is comprised of gin or vodka and a dry vermouth.

Other Martini-Inspired Cocktails Worth Trying

If you love the idea of a martini, but aren’t that crazy about them when you’re sipping on one, then some martini-inspired libations might be the thing for you. Oftentimes, these beverages don’t have any vermouth in them, and if vodka is present, there’s something sweet it’s working with. If you’re curious, check out some of these ‘Tini adjacent drinks this weekend.

• Bikini Martini – A blend of vodka, rum and tropical deliciousness.
• Key Lime Martini – Have a slice of pie in a glass with this creamy cocktail.
• Porn Star Martini – Passionfruit makes this Porn Star sing.
• Watermelon Martini – A perfect refreshing elixir on a hot summer’s day.