Lemon Drop Martini
/
logo

Make Me A Cocktail

Lemon Drop Martini
Cocktail recipe

Rating

4.7 / 5
The Lemon Drop Martini is a refreshingly tart and slightly sweet cocktail that has become a modern classic. This zesty concoction typically blends the citrus punch of fresh lemon juice ... more The Lemon Drop Martini is a refreshingly tart and slightly sweet cocktail that has become a modern classic. This zesty concoction typically blends the citrus punch of fresh lemon juice and lemon-flavored vodka with the sweet, orange notes of Triple Sec, creating a well-balanced mixture. Often served in a sugar-rimmed cocktail glass to complement the sour profile with a touch of sweetness, the Lemon Drop Martini delivers a bright and zingy taste that is perfect for sipping before dinner or as a lively treat at a social gathering. Its playful combination of flavors and elegant presentation have solidified its status as a favorite among citrus cocktail enthusiasts.
Check out all our FAQ's on this cocktail

Microbadges

IBA Official Drink
Cocktail Of The Day
Base ingredient
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lemon vodka
Garnish
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lemon
Alcohol content
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
30% | 1.8 units *

Cocktail glass

Ingredients

oz
ml
cl
Serves:
-
+

Cocktail Colin says:

5/5

The Lemon Drop Martini ingeniously combines the sharp zestiness of lemon—both from fresh juice and flavored vodka—with the sweet complexity of Triple Sec, striking a delightful balance between tart and sweet. The sugared rim not only adds visual charm but also enhances each sip with a gentle sweetness that elegantly tempers the cocktail's acidic edge, making it a sophisticated yet playful choice for those who appreciate a touch of citrus tang in their glass.

Method
How to make a Lemon Drop Martini

Serves 1 · Takes 3 minutes
Moisten the rim of a chilled cocktail glass and roll in sugar
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice
Shake well for 10-15 seconds or until the outside of the shaker becomes frosted
Strain into the rimmed glass
Garnish with a twist of lemon peel and serve

Learn more about some of the mixology terms used in this cocktail

·  Rim  ·  Shake  ·  Strain  ·  Garnish  ·  Twist  · 

Your private tasting notes

~ Register as a user to create tasting notes, save your bar and more ~

Can you make this?

Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.

Comments

No comments yet…

You need to be a user with a verified email to comment on cocktails. Login / register

Featured in

~ Not featured in any of your lists, or any public lists, register as a user to create a list and add this cocktail. We'll then show the lists here ~

FAQ's

PREPARATION_TECHNIQUES

What is the best way to serve a Lemon Drop Martini?

The best way to serve a Lemon Drop Martini is chilled in a cocktail glass. Optionally, you can rim the glass with sugar to add a sweet touch complementing the tartness of the lemon. The cocktail should be shaken with ice before straining into the glass to ensure it's cold.

CUSTOMIZATION_IDEAS

How can I adjust the sweetness of a Lemon Drop Martini?

To adjust the sweetness of a Lemon Drop Martini, you can vary the amount of sugar or Triple Sec in the recipe. If you prefer it sweeter, consider adding a little more sugar or a dash of simple syrup. For a less sweet variant, reduce the amount of Triple Sec slightly or increase the lemon juice to enhance the tartness.

INGREDIENT_SPECIFICS

What type of lemon vodka is best for a Lemon Drop Martini?

For a Lemon Drop Martini, it's best to use a high-quality lemon-flavored vodka to get the cleanest and most vibrant lemon flavor. Brands that specialize in flavored vodka or have a reputation for purity and smoothness are ideal. Avoid very cheap options as they can introduce undesirable flavors.

INGREDIENT_SUBSTITUTIONS

Can I make a Lemon Drop Martini without lemon vodka?

Yes, you can make a Lemon Drop Martini without lemon vodka by substituting plain vodka. To compensate for the absence of the lemon flavor from the vodka, increase the amount of fresh lemon juice or add a bit of lemon zest to the mixture before shaking it with ice. This will enhance the lemon character of the cocktail.

ORIGINS_HISTORY

What is the origin of the Lemon Drop Martini?

The Lemon Drop Martini is believed to have originated in the 1970s at Henry Africa's bar in San Francisco. It was created by the bartender, Norman Jay Hobday, as a variation of the vodka martini but with a sweeter, more palatable flavor profile. The drink quickly gained popularity for its delightful balance of sweet and sour tastes.

Upgrade your mixology

Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11.

  • Save your bar forever
  • Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
  • Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
  • Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
  • Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
  • A pesonalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
  • And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
Register now

Olympic Cocktails and More

Discover a host of cocktails inspired by the Paris 2024 Olympics, meet the bartenders behind the cocktails and win yourself some juicy Amazon vouchers.

Our Olympic Cocktail Hub

You might also like

Absoult Summer

Absolut Summer is a refreshing and citrusy cocktail perfect for warm weather. It gets its flavor profile from a combination...

Admiral White

Admiral White is a refreshing and fruity cocktail that is perfect for a hot summer day. This cocktail originated in...

Cyclone

The Cyclone cocktail is a refreshing blend that combines the citrus zing of orange liqueur and the tartness of grapefruit...

Watermelon Martini

The Watermelon Martini is a refreshing and fruity cocktail that combines the summer flavors of watermelon with the sharpness of...
* US units estimated based on the standard alcohol content of the ingredients used and the proportions in the recipe. Please drink responsibly.
build your bar

Create a cocktail

Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.

Register as a Premium Make Me A Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.

Start creating

Build your bar

Tell us what you have at home and we’ll find a delicious cocktail for you to make right now.

Register as a Make Me A Cocktail community member and we’ll save your ingredients list so you can come back to it at any time.

Create My Bar
build your bar