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    Home » Cocktail » Lemon Drop Martini

    Lemon Drop Martini

    Last updated on February 21, 2022. Originally posted on January 20, 2022 By Elaine 22 Comments

    6.0K shares
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    The lemon drop martini is a classic for a reason. This refreshing cocktail is made simply with vodka, Cointreau, lemon juice, and simple syrup for the perfect balance of sour and sweet.

    The classic glass in front of the curved martini glass with lemons floating in the cocktail and on the table

    It is well known that I prefer my cocktails to have a higher ratio of sour to sweet; usually I’ll mix a 2:1 ratio. But for the lemon martini, I mix the lemon juice and simple syrup in almost equal measure.  That’s because the lemon, on its own, is so tart and astringent. The simple syrup and the Cointreau soften the lemon’s tartness and strong flavor.

    With a ¾ to 1 ratio, the lemon in this lemon drop classic martini doesn’t overpower the other ingredients. In fact, the drink is well balanced and tart enough to be refreshing without making your lips pucker.

    In my opinion, this is the best lemon drop martini recipe out there.

    Helpful tips

    • Since lemon is a sour fruit, some people prefer an equal amount of simple syrup to lemon juice. I prefer a ratio that is slightly more sour than sweet – so a .75 to 1 ratio of sweet to sour. Try these proportions first and taste the result before you add more simple syrup if you ultimately want a sweeter taste.
    • The way to pick a great lemon at the market is to first heft it in your hand. The heavier lemons have more juice than the lighter ones.
    • When picking a lemon, smell it too. The more lemon fragrance, the fresher the lemon.
    • Try to gauge the thickness of the rind. The thinner the rind, the more juice it will yield.
    • Before juicing the lemon, roll it between your palm and a hard surface like a counter. Doing this will help release the juice.
    • I like having lemon wheels as garnish, but you can use a lemon twist, add some lemon zest or lemon wedges instead.
    • Some people like to rim the glasses with granulated sugar. I find that too sweet but try it both ways to see what you prefer.

    This post may contain affiliate links, which means I get a small commission, at no additional cost to you, if you click the link and buy something. You can read my disclosure here.

    How to make a lemon drop martini

    Pre-step

    Get 2 martini glasses and a measuring glass. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes and pour the ingredients in the cocktail shaker once they are measured out.

    Also, cut a few lemon slices. I like to use thin lemon wheels because they float nicely in the cocktail.

    Step one

    Gather the ingredients – vodka, Cointreau or orange liqueur like triple sec, lemon and simple syrup.

    Lemon, vodka, Cointreau and simple syrup and the glassware and shaker in the background

    Step two

    Measure 4 ounces of vodka.  (I use Grey Goose.) (A)

    Step three

    Measure 1.5 ounces of Cointreau. (B)

    Vodka and Cointreau measured out with the bottles in the background

    Fresh Lemon Juice

    Step four

    Squeeze enough lemons to yield 2 ounces of lemon juice. (Read tips above – I only had to use one lemon.) (C)

    Step five

    Measure 1.5 ounces of simple syrup and slice two thin lemon wheels from a fresh lemon. (D)

    Lemon juice and simple syrup with lemon and the bottle in the background

    Step six

    Cap shaker, shake for at least 20 seconds, then strain and divide the contents into each cocktail glass. Float a lemon wheel in each glass.

    A classic martini glass filled with the lemon drink with the curved martini glass and lemons in the background

    And a closer view of the lemon drop martini.

    Lemon wheels floating in two martini glasses filled with the lemon cocktail

    Let’s look at the vertical view.

    Vertical view of the lemon martini with the smaller glass in front

    But let’s bring the fun glass in front.

    Curved martini glass in vertical view with the cocktail in it with lemons on the table

    I hope you enjoyed this lemon drop martini recipe!

    Other popular lemon recipes

    • Lemon curd margarita
    • Sage limoncello martini
    • Aviation cocktail
    • Naked lady

    And as always, may all your dishes/drinks be delish!

    If you’ve tried this or any other recipe on the blog, I’d love the hear what you thought about it in the comments below.  I love hearing from you!  You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST  to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!

    The classic martini filled with the lemon martini with lemon wheels floating in it and lemons on the table

    Lemon Drop Martini Cocktail

    The lemon drop martini is a classic for a reason. This refreshing cocktail is made simply with vodka, Cointreau, lemon juice, and simple syrup for the perfect balance of sour and sweet.
    4.91 from 11 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Cocktails
    Cuisine: Cocktails
    Keyword: lemon cocktail, lemon drop, lemon drop cocktail, lemon drop martini
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 2 Cocktails
    Calories: 259kcal
    Author: Elaine Benoit

    Ingredients

    • 4 ounces vodka (I used Grey Goose)
    • 1.5 ounce Cointreau (or triple sec)
    • 2 ounces lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
    • 1.5 ounces simple syrup

    Garnish

    • 2 lemon wheels

    Instructions

    • Fill cocktail shaker ½ way with ice
    • Add vodka, Cointreau, lemon juice and simple syrup
      4 ounces vodka, 1.5 ounce Cointreau, 2 ounces lemon juice, 1.5 ounces simple syrup
    • Cap shaker and shake for 20 seconds and strain the liquid equally between the martini glasses
    • Float lemon wheels in the cocktail
      2 lemon wheels
    • Sip
    • Smile
    • Enjoy

    Equipment

    cocktail shaker
    measuring glass
    citrus juicer
    martini glasses
    See all my favorite tools and gift ideas at my Amazon Store page!Check out Elaine’s Amazon Store!

    Notes

    Tips for making this martini:

    • Since lemon is a sour fruit, some people prefer an equal amount of simple syrup to lemon juice. I prefer a ratio that is slightly more sour than sweet – so a .75 to 1 ratio of sweet to sour. Try these proportions first and taste the result before you add more simple syrup if you ultimately want a sweeter taste.
    • The way to pick a great lemon at the market is to first heft it in your hand. The heavier lemons have more juice than the lighter ones.
    • When picking a lemon, smell it too. The more lemon fragrance, the fresher the lemon.
    • Try to gauge the thickness of the rind. The thinner the rind, the more juice it will yield.
    • Before juicing the lemon, roll it between your palm and a hard surface like a counter. Doing this will help release the juice.
    • I like having lemon wheels as garnish, but you can use a lemon twist, add some lemon zest or lemon wedges instead.
    • Some people like to rim the glasses with granulated sugar. I find that too sweet but try it both ways to see what you prefer.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cocktail | Calories: 259kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Sodium: 14mg | Potassium: 29mg | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin C: 11mg | Iron: 0.8mg
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    This post may contain affiliate links, which means I get a small commission, at no additional cost to you,  if you click the link and buy. You can read my disclosure here.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Maria @ kitchenathoskins

      February 25, 2017 at 1:47 pm

      Oh my gosh, that is one stunning cocktail!!! I love all your pictures:)

      Reply
      • Elaine

        February 25, 2017 at 4:40 pm

        Maria! Thanks you are so sweet! I love your photos! I just told my husband that I’m on a mission to make your Kale and egg naan!

        Reply
    2. Christopher

      August 26, 2017 at 1:53 pm

      Mmm. This looks fabulous!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        January 21, 2019 at 12:49 pm

        Thanks Christopher! It’s quite delicious!

        Reply
    3. Joyce

      January 21, 2019 at 1:11 pm

      This is one of my favorite cocktails! Awesome recipe!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        January 21, 2019 at 1:13 pm

        Thanks Joyce. I enjoy this cocktail as well!

        Reply
    4. Haley D Williams

      January 31, 2019 at 12:48 pm

      This looks great! I will be celebrating the weekend with one or two!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        January 31, 2019 at 2:01 pm

        Hehe 🙂 thanks Haley!

        Reply
    5. SHANIKA

      January 31, 2019 at 12:50 pm

      This Martini looks great! I love the lemon flavor added!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        January 31, 2019 at 2:01 pm

        Thanks Shanika!

        Reply
    6. Jill

      January 31, 2019 at 1:35 pm

      We’d be good drinking buddies because I prefer my cocktails on the tart side as well! 🙂

      Reply
      • Elaine

        January 31, 2019 at 2:00 pm

        Woohoo! Wouldn’t that be fun!? Thanks Jill!

        Reply
    7. Lisa Huff

      January 31, 2019 at 2:07 pm

      Is 2:00 too early for a cocktail? I want it! Loving the beautiful color too!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        February 01, 2019 at 10:13 am

        Hehe. Thanks Lisa! 🙂

        Reply
    8. Caitlyn Erhardt

      January 31, 2019 at 2:44 pm

      Looks like a great cocktail! I bet the lemon is so refreshing!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        February 01, 2019 at 10:14 am

        It really is Caitlyn. Thank you.

        Reply
    9. Patty

      February 02, 2019 at 10:36 am

      Looks so deliciously refreshing, going to mix some for the family right now, thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        February 04, 2019 at 11:56 am

        Thanks Patty! I hope you enjoy the recipe!

        Reply
    10. Nicole

      April 18, 2020 at 6:31 pm

      I love all the cocktails you do! This Lemon Drop Martini has my interest, I can’t wait to try it.

      Reply
      • Elaine

        April 19, 2020 at 11:21 am

        If you like lemon, Nicole, you are going to love this! Cheers my friend!

        Reply
    11. Euro Yank

      May 23, 2021 at 2:06 pm

      I like to run the lemon slice on the rim of the martini glass & dip it into fine white sugar to make it taste even more like those lemon drop candies that I loved in childhood.

      Reply
      • Elaine

        May 24, 2021 at 8:43 am

        I love that idea Euro! My niece loves it sweeter than I do, so I’ll try that for when I make her next lemon drop! Thanks for taking the time to comment.

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Elaine! I'm so glad you stopped by. Here you will find lots of tasty cocktails, comforting food and inspiration for your next meal. I LOVE chocolate, almost all foods, blogging, photography and spending time with my hubby!

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