Lemon Drop Martini | Lemon Blossoms (2024)

This Lemon Drop Martini has the perfect balance of sweet, tangy and lemony goodness. If you prefer a smooth vodka co*cktail that won’t hit you in the face with a strong alcohol taste, this lemon drop co*cktail recipe is perfect for you. Made with simple ingredients, this not so classic martini is sure to put a smile on your face.

The Best Lemon Drop Recipe

The fresh taste of lemon, good quality vodka, the subtle taste of orange liqueur, the sweet crust of sugar on the rim of the glass plus the perfect lemon twist it’s what makes the lemon martini such a classic!

The lemon drop martini is possibly my favorite co*cktail ever. Although similar to a lemon drop candy, this famous co*cktail is not overly sweet. It has the perfect amount of sour notes and zing from fresh lemon juice and a touch of sweetnesses from superfine sugar and that deliciously crunchy sugar rim.

What’s a Lemon Drop Martini?

The Lemon Drop co*cktail is a vodka-based co*cktail that was created in San Francisco in the 1970’s by Norman Jay Hobday at the Fern bar. It is also known as Lemon Drop Martini although unlike most martinis, this drink is made with vodka instead of Gin or vermouth.

What’s in a Lemon Drop?

The best lemon drops are made with a few simple ingredients and although the sugar on the rim is optional, I highly recommend it. It truly compliments this tart co*cktail.

• Good Quality Vodka
• Fresh Lemon Juice
• Triple Sec
• Superfine Sugar
• Ice
• Lemon slice or lemon twist as garnish

How to Make a Lemon Drop co*cktail

One of the reason this lemon drop recipe is so easy to make is because you don’t need to make and cool simple syrup before mixing this lemon drink. Instead, superfine sugar is mixed in with the vodka, triple sec and fresh lemon juice. Super easy right?

1. In a co*cktail shaker half-filled with ice, add the vodka, triple sec, sugar and lemon juice. Shake well.
2. Take a lemon wedge and rub the top edge area of a chilled martini glass. Dip the edge into the superfine sugar.
3. Pour the drink into a sugar-rimmed martini glass. Garnish with a lemon curl.

What Does a Lemon Drop Drink Taste Like?

A Lemon Drop tastes like refreshing lemonade with a vodka kick! It’s tart and sweet and it goes down smoothly but you can certainly taste the vodka.

Should You Use Simple Syrup In Your Lemon Drop Martini Recipe?

Some co*cktail recipes like this martini uses simple syrup while others use superfine sugar as sweetener. Both work very well for mixed drinks and do the same job. When I want to make a drink quickly and I haven’t planned ahead, superfine sugar is my secret weapon.

Simple syrup combines equal parts of sugar and water that are boiled, then cooled and then used to sweeten drinks. Although you can purchase a bottle of simple syrup, making it at home is very easy.

Why Is It Called Lemon Drop?

This sweet and sour martini is the adult version of a lemon drop candy. The sugar on the rim and the tart co*cktail when properly made, should remind you of the popular English confection. The lemon drop martini was created as a way to attract single female customers who were new to the bar scene.

Can I Use Something Other Than Triple Sec?

Yes, instead of making this martini with triple sec, you can use Cointreau which like triple sec is in the same family of dry orange liqueur. Your next best options are Grand Marnier and orange Curaçao.

Serving a Lemon Drop Martini

Lemon drop is the perfect co*cktail for girl’s night, movie night and spring and summer dinner parties however, it’s so delicious that I love having one any time.

How to Rim a Glass with Sugar

To rim a martini glass (or any other glass) with sugar, simply put the sugar in a small plate. Run the cut side of a lemon wedge around the rim of the glass. Dip the rim of the glass into the bowl of sugar and set aside.

How to Make a Lemon Twist for Garnish

To make a lemon twist, lemon spiral or lemon curl to garnish your favorite co*cktail, without any special bartenders’ tools (such as a channel knife), I will share 2 simple methods. Both are easy but one requires about 2 + hours of inactive prep time. The lemon curls from that method will look more like the ones you get at a bar.

Quick and Easy:

• Cut a slice of lemon (about 1/8 inch thick).
• With a paring knife, make a cut slicing through the peel only.
• With your fingers, pull the peel off the lemon leaving the fruit and pith behind.
• Trim most of the pith away.
• Roll the lemon peel on your pinky finger or on a drinking straw. Then release the lemon curl. It should hold its shape although it won’t be as tight and perfect.

Fancy with Resting Period:

• Cut both ends of a lemon (or orange).
• With a paring knife, slice down the length of the lemon ONLY cutting through the peel, not through the fruit.
• Pull a corner of the peel to separate the peel from the fruit. Peel off the lemon. You should have the peel of the whole lemon in one single piece.
• Next, roll the peel lengthwise tightly (as if making a cylinder shape). Secure the roll with a couple of toothpicks on each end.
• Place the tight roll in cool water and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.
• Remove the roll from the water and remove the toothpicks. Slice into 1/8 inch slices. Uncoil and place on your drink!

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This Lemon Drop Martini recipe is adapted from What’s Cooking America– Best Lemon Drop

This post was first published in 2018 and has been updated to provide the reader with new photography and additional information. The recipe remains the same.