This Lemon Drop Martini is a simple, refreshing, sweet, and sour lemony drink
This recipe, with just 3 main ingredients, is a quick and easy way to make and is like sunshine in a glass
This time of year lemon trees are packed full of lush delicious Meyer lemons. These juicy lemons make the ultimate cocktail. We love to serve them up as an aperitif for family and friends.
Lemon Drop Martini Ingredients
- Large Meyer Lemons – see below for more about Meyer lemons
- Vodka – pick a good one because it’s the star of the show
- Simple Syrup – easy recipe below or read our full step-by-step post
- Sugar – to garnish the rim
- Ice
How to make a Lemon Drop Martini
Instructions for making Lemon Drop Martinis:
- Prepare simple syrup, set aside, and let it cool. (See directions for preparing below)
- Coat a small plate with 1/4 cup of sugar and set aside
- With a lemon juice squeezer, squeeze 1/2 of a large lemon into a martini shaker filled with ice. Set aside the squeezed lemon for later
- Add 2.5 ounces of vodka
- Add a large splash of simple syrup
- Shake until the shaker is so cold it’s hard to hold
- Used the saved squeezed lemon and wet the rim of the glass by running it around the rim.
- Dip the wet martini glass rim in the plate of sugar and coat the entire rim
- Pour the shaken mixture with the lemon drop mixture into the sugared martini glass
- Top the martini with a slice of lemon
- Serve and enjoy!
Equipment needed to make these Martinis
How do you make Simple Syrup?
Simple syrup is easy to make with equal parts of sugar and water. Here is an easy overview but if you need more directions just out our simple syrup post.
- Heat water in a saucepan over medium heat until hot. (This recipe calls for 1/2 cup water)
- Stir in sugar and cook until it is fully dissolved. (This recipe calls for 1/2 cup sugar)
- Cool to room temperature before using
- Can be stored for up to 3 months in the refrigerator.
What is in a Lemon Drop Martini?
These delicious drinks are made with just 3 main ingredients. Juice from a fresh lemon, vodka, and simple syrup. We like to make these cocktails with Meyer lemons. If Meyer lemons are not available you can use any other variety which is easily available.
A Meyer lemon is actually a cross of citron and mandarin orange which makes them sweeter than other types of lemons. They are a favorite and we use them in all types of recipes.
The great thing about our recipe is you can control the sweet/tart level in your cocktail. Add more simple syrup for more sweetness or additional lemon juice for more tartness.
The calorie count for our Lemon Drop martini recipe is just 125 calories per cocktail making it a great Happy Hour cocktail choice!
What makes a Martini a Martini?
The true definition of a Martini is simply a cocktail made with gin or vodka and dry vermouth. But, over the years the modern-day martini has transformed into a mixologist dream cocktail by allowing for individual creativity.
Additional Martinis to shake up!
- French Martini
- Pumpkin Spice Martini
- Orange Creamsicle Martini
- White Chocolate Snowflake Martinis
- Chocolate Martini
- Red Velvet Martinis
Lemon Drop Martini
Equipment
- Martini/Cocktail shaker
- Martini glass
- Lemon juice squeezer
Ingredients
- ½ large lemon
- 2 ½ ounces vodka
- 1 large splash simple syrup (see recipe below)
- 1 cup ice for the shaker
- ¼ cup sugar for the glass rim
Simple Syrup:
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup sugar
Garnish:
- ½ lemon cut into slices
Instructions
- Prepare simple syrup and let it cool. (See directions for preparing below)
- Coat a small plate with 1/4 cup of sugar, set aside
- With a lemon juice squeezer, squeeze 1/2 of a large lemon into a martini shaker filled with ice. Set aside the squeezed lemon for later
- Add 2.5 ounces of vodka
- Add a large splash of cooled simple syrup
- Shake until the shaker is so cold its hard to hold
- Used the saved squeezed lemon and wet the rim of the glass by running it around the rim.
- Dip glass rim in plate of sugar to coat the rim
- Pour the shaken drink into the prepared martini glass
- Top martini with a slice of lemon
Simple Syrup:
- Bring the sugar and water to a simmer and stir until all the sugar is dissolved. Set aside to cool. Reserve remaining simple syrup in a jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
Notes
- Simple syrup can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator
Teresa
I usually order this cocktail at restaurants but I am often disappointed because they’re either too sweet or too sour. This recipe is perfect and easy to follow. I didn’t have Meyers lemons and the recipe still turned out great but Meyer lemons are definitely preferred. If you’re making them for more than one or two persons squeeze the lemon juice ahead of time.
I bought a large bag of lemons from Costco so I’m squeezing and freezing the juice, so I have lemon juice at the ready.
Cyndy
So glad to hear that you loved it – it’s one of our favorite too!
Alison
I love a good cocktail, but usually only order them when out on date night. Making them at home always seems too complicated. But his recipe is simple, and I don’t need any fancy ingredients! It’s super tasty and refreshing!
Brianna
One of my favorite sips!
Jo
This cocktail is amazing! incredibly delicious!!
Lauren Vavala
I love this recipe! I have my fiance make these for me when I get the craving (more often that I’d like to admit haha!)
Heather Johnson 42 http://www.thefoodhussy.com
yum – love a lemon drop but didn’t know how to make them!