This lemon drop martini provides the perfect balance of tart and sweet. It’s a classic cocktail that’s simple to make and the flavor is something everyone will love.
Classic Lemon Drop Martini
Bust out some lemons because I’m going to teach you how to make a lemon drop martini. Over the years I’ve shared dozens of cocktail recipes here on Inspired by Charm. Recently, I’ve been trying to mix up some of the classic recipes for you. (There is a post dedicated to those HERE if you’re interested.) I think it’s helpful to have an idea of how to make the classics, as then you can let your creativity flow and turn them into something truly unique.
I am a big fan of the lemon drop martini and often order it when I’m out for dinner or drinks. Why?
- I find the flavor to be light and refreshing.
- It’s an easy drinking martini.
- It is smooth but still bright and fresh.
How bad can that be?
Even better, it’s an easy cocktail to make at home. You only need a few ingredients and you can shake a couple of these up in no time.
Also, if your hosting a party and don’t want to be stuck making these all night, just whip up a big batch of the mix and allow your guests to shake one up whenever their glass is empty.
looking for more classic cocktail recipes? Try these:
- Classic Cosmopolitan
- Bees Knees Cocktail
- Pear Martini
- Black-Eyed Susan Cocktail
- Classic Margarita Recipe
- Sangria Tinto (Red)
Want to give this lemon drop martini recipe a try? Here’s what you’ll need!
Ingredients:
You’ll need just a few really good ingredients for this recipe. I always recommend that when you’re making a recipe with only a few ingredients, you should use the highest quality you can find for optimum results.
- Vodka: Grey Goose or Tito’s is my go-to, but use what you love.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Please skip the little bottle of store-bought lemon juice. (You’ll thank me.) Fresh makes all the difference.
- Cointreau: Grand Marnier works here too. It adds great depth of flavor with an additional citrus element.
- Simple Syrup: A little sweetness softens the tartness of the fresh lemon.
- Superfine Sugar: Mixed with fresh lemon zest, this is the perfect tart meets sweet garnish for this libation.
- Lemon Zest and Twist: Since you’re juicing fresh lemons you might as well use the whole fruit. Before you juice, zest some of the lemon and use the rest to make lemon twists to garnish.
Put into a nutshell, you simply need vodka, Cointreau, sugar, and lemons. That’s only four ingredients. Pretty easy, right?
Oh and if you love these martini glasses (I do too!) you can find them HERE.
How to Make a Lemon Drop Martini:
I’ll walk you through the steps here. I’ve also provided a detailed ingredients list and instructions in the printable recipe card below.
- Mix together the sugar and lemon zest until well combined.
- Rim a martini glass with the sugar and lemon zest mixture. Set aside.
- Add the vodka, Cointreau, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake vigorously.
- Strain into a prepared martini glass.
- Garnish with a lemon twist.
Serve, sip, and enjoy!
That’s it, my friend! It’s really that simple to whip up a lemon drop martini. I know you’re going to love the results.
Cheers!
And that’s another classic cocktail to add to my collection. I know you’re going to love this one. It makes a brilliant signature martini recipe you can serve any time of the year. Make it your own with a different garnish, unique martini glasses, and/or some other fun element.
Enjoy!
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Lemon Drop Martini
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka
- .5 ounce Cointreau
- 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
- .5 ounce simple syrup
- superfine sugar + zest from a lemon
- lemon twist
Instructions
- On a small plate, mix together the sugar and lemon zest until well combined.
- Run a lemon wedge along the edge of a martini glass to moisten. Dip into the sugar and lemon zest mixture and evenly coat the edge of the glass. Set aside.
- Add the vodka, Cointreau, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously.
- Strain into a prepared martini glass.
- Garnish with lemon twist.
Nutrition Facts
