This time of year my lemon tree is packed full of lush delicious Meyer lemons. These juicy lemons make the ultimate Lemon Drop Martini. I love to serve them up as an aperitif for family and friends.
So when life gives you lemons “make a martini”!
What is in a Lemon Drop Martini?
These delicious drinks are made with just 4 primary ingredients. Juice from a fresh lemon, vodka, sugar, and water. I like to make these cocktails with Meyer lemons. If Meyer lemons are not available you can use another variety.
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.
Lemon Tree 
Lemon Drop Ingredients
How to make a Lemon Drop Martini
This recipe is a quick and easy way to make our Lemon Drop Martinis.
Here is the list of ingredients:
- One large Meyer lemon
- Vodka
- Simple syrup (easy recipe below)
- Ice
- Sugar to garnish the rim
Instructions for making Lemon Drop Martinis:
- Coat a small plate with 1/4 cup of sugar and set aside
- Squeeze 1/2 of a large lemon into a martini shaker filled with ice. Save squeezed lemon and set aside
- 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
- Take the squeezed lemon and wet the rim of the glass
- Dip glass rim in the plate of sugar and coat the rim
- Pour the shaker with the lemon drop mixture into the sugared martini glass
- Top the martini with a slice of lemon
- Serve and enjoy!
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.
Meyer Lemons 
Lemon Drop
How to make easy Simple Syrup from scratch?
Simple syrup is easy to make with equal parts of sugar and water. Here is an easy recipe:
- 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 makes a Martini a Martini?
The true definition of a Martini is simply a cocktail made with gin or vodka and dry vermouth. Over the years the modern day Martini has transformed into a mixologist dream cocktail for individual creativity.
Lemon Drop Martini
Additional cocktails to try:
- Blueberry Vodka Cocktails
- Cucumber Mint Cocktails
- Orange Creamsicle Martini
- White Chocolate Snowflake Martinis
- Red Velvet Martinis
Lemon Drop Martini Recipe
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker, lemon juicer
Ingredients
- ½ large Meyer lemon
- 2.5 ounces vodka
- 1 large splash simple syrup (see recipe below)
- 1 cup ice for shaker
- ¼ cup sugar for glass rim
Simple Syrup:
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup sugar
Instructions
- Coat small plate with 1/4 cup of sugar, set aside
- Squeeze 1/2 large lemon into the shaker filled with ice. Save lemon and set aside
- Add the 2.5 ounces of vodka
- Add large splash of simple syrup
- Shake, shake until the shaker is so cold its hard to hold
- Take the squeezed lemon and wet the rim of the glass
- Dip glass rim in plate of sugar to coat the rim
- Pour the shaker with the lemon drop mixture into a martini glass
- Top martini with a slice of Lemon
- Serve and enjoy!
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.
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!