The perfect lemon drop martini should be refreshingly tart, not cloyingly sweet. Lucky for you, I’m sharing my recipe for the most refreshing lemon drop martini! I can almost guarantee happy tears at your first sip. Give it a try soon.
I’ll admit, I’m quite particular about lemon drop martinis. If one isn’t served icy cold or is overly sweet, chances are I won’t return to that bar, or at the very least, won’t order another mixed drink. It may sound strict, but I’d rather stick to making cocktails at home or opt for wine and beer when out if the cocktails lack attention to detail.
In previous posts about cocktails, I’ve emphasized the importance of small details in crafting the perfect drink at home. This rings particularly especially true for my mojito and ridiculously popular cosmo recipe. There are nuances in these drinks a busy bartender might overlook or not have access to in their establishment. However, I have encountered a lemon drop martini at a restaurant that truly impressed me, so they do exist. It was the epitome of cocktail perfection.
In the realm of a good cocktail, quality ingredients are crucial, but so is a bartender’s attentiveness. That’s why the same drink can vary so greatly depending on the skill of the maker. When it comes to mixing cocktails, I have found it’s always important to pay attention to the finer points, and I do just that with this lemon drop martini.
Why I Love This Recipe
- I am not a fan of an unbalanced cocktail, and I made sure I created a the perfect balance of sweat and sour with this recipe.
- By paying attention to small details, I was able to elevate this delicious drink.
One of my favorite ingredients for lemon drop martinis is this ultrafine pure cane sugar.
I find this sugar in the baking aisle of the supermarket, resembling a milk carton. It’s important to note that this sugar isn’t the same as pourable superfine sugar; it needs to be ultrafine. When I use ultrafine sugar, it coats the rim of the glass impeccably, leaving a delicate layer of sweetness. I always make sure the sugared edge isn’t thick and gritty. A thinly, rimmed martini glass is also a must!
Ingredients
- Fresh lemon juice: It goes without saying that I recommend fresh lemon juice for it’s brightness! Plus you need it for garnish.
- Top shelf vodka: Tito’s is great for this drink. I prefer top shelf liquor for how it’s made, with less impurities. You might not be able to taste the difference, but it does make a difference in how you feel after consuming them.
- Ultrafine sugar: I can’t stress enough how much ultrafine sugar makes a difference in melting into the drink.
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I use a small sieve to sprinkle the ultrafine sugar onto my glass rims that have been dipped in lemon juice.
Ultrafine fine sugar is key in this recipe! Do not use regular sugar on the rim or in the drink, it’s just too gritty. It’s a small detail that matters.
Fresh lemons are also a key ingredient in this drink (obviously) and one thing I cannot live without in my kitchen is my citrus press.
This lemon press squeezes my lemons and limes almost completely dry. It’s impossible to extract as much juice by hand. Even the driest lemon or lime produces plenty of juice with this press. Plus, it lasts for years and years. Trust me, you need to have one. I always make sure to have a backup too.
This is where a high performance blender comes in and the reason they are pricey. You can crush ice to snow cone consistency in 10 seconds. I then add it to a freezer bag and keep it in my freezer to scoop out when making cocktails. It will stick together but it breaks up easily. So worth it and it undoubtedly makes a difference in this drink. A chilled glass doesn’t hurt either.
Lemon Drop Martini Recipe
Find the complete recipe with measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- I begin by dipping the edges of a martini glass in fresh lemon juice and then dipping those same edges in ultrafine sugar.
- Using a citrus press, I squeeze the juice out of a 5-6 oz. lemon into a cocktail shaker. (The lemon will be pretty dry once I’ve done this.)
- I add the vodka and 1 tablespoon of ultrafine sugar into cocktail shaker and fill it halfway with large ice cubes.
- I will vigorously shake it for at least 40 shakes to dissolve sugar all of the sugar.
- I strain the cocktail into a martini glass and scoop in finely crushed ice to float on the top.
- I will add a thinly sliced lemon round to float on the top.
Recipe Tips
- I love adding thinly sliced lemons to float on the top of the lemon drop cocktail to give it an elegant look.
- Remembering that the little things count when it comes to cocktail making, especially the presentation when served will always elevate your bartending.
- For me, a floating slice of lemon and a cold glass, with a sugared rim, are absolute eye candy.
- Sometimes I’ll use a lemon wedge on the glass rim instead of floating on the drink itself.
- I love serving this martini for any occasion that requires a good cocktail and always use top shelf vodka. Lower quality vodka also gives cocktails a sharp, dull, taste.
More Cocktail Recipes
- Blue Hawaiian Cocktail
- Spicy Watermelon Margarita
- Wine Slushies
- Dirty Shirley
- Agave Margarita
- Cherry Sangria
- Negroni
The Most Refreshing Lemon Drop MartiniThe perfect lemon drop martini should be refreshingly tart, not cloyingly sweet. Lucky for you this is The Most Refreshing Lemon Drop Martini! Give it a try soon.
Servings: 1 cocktail
Calories: 240kcal
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
Lemon: *I never measure my lemon juice exactly. With a juice press I know I will get enough juice out of the whole lemon. If you are hand squeezing you might have to use more than one lemon as your yield of juice will be low.
NutritionNutrition Facts
The Most Refreshing Lemon Drop Martini
Amount Per Serving (1 cocktail)
Calories 240
Calories from Fat 2
% Daily Value*
Fat 0.2g0% Sodium 0.8mg0% Potassium 94.1mg3% Carbohydrates 18.3g6% Fiber 0.3g1% Sugar 14.3g16% Protein 0.3g1%
Vitamin A 5IU0% Vitamin C 48.7mg59% Calcium 6mg1% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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Debbie says
Yum! I have a tree laden with Meyer lemons- this looks like a great use for them. 🙂
Cathy says
That will be fabulous.
Cindy says
This drink sounds delish! I too have a Meyer Lemon tree. Just a quick question and I hope it doesn’t sound stupid, but when you say a 5-6 oz lemon you are referring to the weight of the lemon? Not how much lemon juice you will squeeze out, right?
Thanks, Cindy
Cathy says
The weight of the lemon.
Liz says
I tried these last summer and they immediately became our favorite Friday afternoon cocktail. Think the weather is saying it’s time to start making them again!
Cathy says
Agreed!
Beth says
Hubby and I just love these! Lip smacking goodness!
Cathy says
Yes!
julie says
This drink sounds so refreshing! Can’t wait to make it at my next get-together.
Cathy says
Enjoy it!
Becky Hardin says
Seriously is it 5 oclock yet? I need one or two of these in my life.
Cathy says
yes you do.
Sommer says
Made these this weekend and wow! The best martini I’ve ever had.
Cathy says
So happy to hear that!
Lori says
How much sugar do you add to the lemon and vodka before shaking? And, do you use the ultra fine for that or just regular?
Cathy says
I tablespoon of ultrafine sugar. You will also sugar the rim of the glass with ultrafine sugar.
april says
Do you think it is about an ounce of lemon juice?
Cathy says
I really don’t measure it. I use a large lemon, but I use my squeezer (linked) and it gets so much more juice out of a lemon than hand squeezing ever could. Likely it’s more than an ounce.
Ann says
Have you tried this with gin? I like gin rather than vodka. But either way, it sounds so refreshing. Can’t wait to try it.
Cathy says
I have not.
Michele Glemser says
I too, am not fond of Vodka …
Gin works beautiful.🍸
Cheers
Tonya says
A for awesome!
Jackie Tuler says
This is the BEST lemon drop Martini ever!!! I am so hooked
Cathy says
Yes it is!
Kim says
I love this recipe! So refreshing!
I’ve been making a lot of these during our covid 19 lockdown! Thx for sharing this is a keeper!
Mary Elek says
should I use citrus flavored vodka or plain?
Cathy says
The recipe calls for plain.
Curt says
I was craving a late night Lemon Drop Martini and this simple recipe did the trick! Didn’t have any ultra fine bakers sugar, so I just put regular sugar in our Ninja blender for about 10 seconds, followed the other suggestions for chilling the glass and coating the rim with lemon and sugar and I can say that, even this way, it was the best Lemon Drop Martini I’ve ever had! I’ll try it next time with the ultra fine sugar when I get a chance to get to the store. Thank you for sharing!
Cathy says
Yes!
Martin says
Quite possibly the best lemon drop I’ve ever made. Thanks for all the suggestions. Love that squeezer, can’t beat it.
Cathy says
I’ll have to agree with you sir.
Lisa says
Making these for Friday night, best lemon drop martini recipe out in the wild!
Cathy says
Great!
Justine says
By miles, our fave lemon drop recipe.
Cathy says
Great news.
Nancy T says
So many lemon drops are too sweet, this one was perfectly balanced, sweet and sour. The best for sure.
Cathy says
Happy you loved it.
Chester says
Can never get enough of this one. Very good.
Cathy says
Thanks.
Kate says
You’ve given every bar a run for their money with this recipe! Best lemon drop ever.
Cathy says
Sure have!
Farah says
THIS lemon DROP martini was insanely good!!! Great balanced recipe.
Cathy says
I have to agree!
Ross says
You’re right about the small details when it comes to making cocktails, this lemon drop martini turned out so good.
Cathy says
Happy you enjoyed the lemon drop.
Talia says
By far my favorite lemon drop martini. Thanks for the recipe.
Cathy says
Cheers!
Shirley says
Three cheers for this lemon drop martini, it was delish.
Jack says
I loved this lemon drop martini, it was the best.
Jenny says
I am a big fan of this lemon drop martini recipe.
Nicole says
Hi- I want to try this so bad but do no have ultrafine sugar! Could I sub out with a tablespoon of regular sugar for now?? or even with simple syrup because I literally want to try this right now lol
Cathy says
If you use regular sugar you need to shake the cocktail vigorously for much longer than you normally would so the sugar melts and at that point it still might not completely melt into the drink or you might be left with gritty sugar. Ultimately the drink could be more sour. You can try simple syrup but I find it’s not as good made that way. Go ahead and use what you have, knowing that you are probably not experiencing the same drink I’m posting about.
Barb says
Cheers to this lemon drop martini it so so balanced and good to drink. Love the tips.
ken says
What a delicious lemon drop martini, going to make again this weekend.
Linsey says
Absolutely loved this lemon drop martini, it was so refreshing and extra ice was perfection.
Jackie says
I’ve been making this Lemon Drop martini I for the last 3
years now. It is amazing!!! My mother is german and she married a Greek. She sent me the most amazing citrus press they use in Greece.
I can’t get enough of these!!!
Frenie says
This lemon drop martini is the best I’ve had!!
Lauren says
My absolute favorite lemon drop martini, always the best!
JMW says
Where’s the old recipe with the citron vodka and Cointreau ? This used to be my go to recipe but you changed you’re blog post a few wks ago. Can you post the old one too?
Cathy Pollak says
That’s my cosmopolitan recipe. This is a completely recipe.