This Lemon Drop Martini recipe is a perfectly balanced cocktail of sweet and tart. A simple libation to whip up, as few ingredients are needed.

I hope you enjoy these lemon-flavored vodka martinis as much as I do. They are perfect for summertime or any time! Also, try our gorgeous Fresh Raspberry Mojitos or Vodka Cucumber Cocktail.

Helpful Items For This Recipe

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4-Piece Afina Cocktail Glasses Set, Martini Glasses- 8-Ounces

Cocktail Shaker Set

Cocktail Picks Stick, 20Pcs, Stainless Steel

What is in a Lemon Drop Martini

Looking at the garnish (lemon and a flower) in a martini glass.

This Lemon Drop Martini is simple to make and a perfect combination of sweet and sour. The key here is to use good quality vodka and fresh lemon juice, as that is basically what the drink consists of.

Ingredients

Cocktail
3 oz. vodka
2 oz. fresh-squeezed lemon juice
2 oz. simple syrup
3 tsp. superfine sugar (for the glasses)
Simple syrup
1 cup of sugar
1 cup of water

How To Make a Lemon Drop Martini

Simple syrup is a mainstay in so many cocktails. It lasts a long time in the refrigerator, so make up a batch and have it ready for all your cocktail making. Its name says it all as it is so simple to make.

In a saucepan combine sugar and water and bring to a boil. Stir until all the sugar is dissolved. Let cool, pour into a container, and refrigerate until cold.

This will keep in the refrigerator for 3 months so you can make this again and again. Or use it with other cocktails.

Chill two martini glasses in the freezer for at least 5 min. In a shaker, pour in the vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, and 1/2 cup of ice.

Coat the rim of the glasses with lemon juice and dip in the fine sugar. Shake the cocktail rigorously and then pour it into each glass evenly.

Garnish with a lemon twist or lemon wedge.

How to Change it up / Variations

Shot of two martinis with squeezed lemons and flowers.

With this cocktail, you can really make your own with a few simple changes. Have fun making it!

If you like it stronger, increase the amount of Vodka. Or you can also add in an orange liqueur such as Triple Sec or Cointreau.

If you like it sweeter, add more simple syrup.

Switch it up by adding some limoncello for an even stronger lemon taste or a citron vodka.

You can also add other syrups than simple syrup. How about some elderflower, lavender, or orange to enhance the taste of the Cointreau?

Make it a frozen Lemon Drop Martini by adding all ingredients and more ice into your blender and blending until the desired consistency has been reached.

And for a rim trim variation, add some lemon zest to the granulated sugar that you use for the sugar rim.

Can I make this ahead?

For the best taste, these should be made right before serving.

Can I make more?

Totally, just increase the amount for each ingredient, but keep the ratio like stated in the recipe.

Pin it HERE!!

Pin it HERE!!

A friend of mine, Andrea, and a fellow blogger originally made this cocktail. She has a very nice site filled with fantastic recipes. I also love the name of her site, Quest For Delish. Isn’t that the quest we all should be on!!! Here is her “delish” cocktail.

We recently redid this post but here is the Original Picture.

2 glasses of lemon drop cocktail on a patterned table cloth with lemon slice as garnish

Lemon Drop Martini

Tara Noland

This Lemon Drop Martini is a combination of simple syrup, lemon juice, and premium quality vodka, all made up with the perfect proportions.

4.58 from 7 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 2

Cook Time 15

Additional Time 5

Total Time 22

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Servings Servings

Calories 565 kcal

Ingredients

Cocktail

3 oz. vodka
2 oz. fresh-squeezed lemon juice
2 oz. simple syrup
3 tsp. fine white sugar for the glasses

Simple syrup

1 cup of sugar
1 cup of water

Instructions

In a saucepan, combine sugar and water and bring to a boil.
Stir until all the sugar is dissolved.
Let cool, pour into a container, and refrigerate until cold.
This will keep in the refrigerator for 3 months so you can make this again and again. Or use it with other cocktails.
Chill two martini glasses in the freezer for at least 5 min.
In a shaker, pour in the vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, and 1/2 cup of ice.
Rim the glasses with lemon juice and dip in the fine sugar.
Shake the cocktail rigorously and then pour it into each glass evenly.
Garnish with a lemon twist or lemon wedge.

Equipment

Cocktail Picks Stick, 20Pcs Cocktail Toothpicks, Stainless Steel Martini Olive Picks for Bar Barbecue Fruit, Bloody Mary Drink Sticks

Cocktail Shaker Set by Cresimo – Stainless Steel Bartending Kit with 24 Ounce Cocktail Shaker with Built in Drink Strainer, Measuring Jigger, Mixing Spoon & Drink Recipe Guide – Professional Bar Tools