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.
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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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