The Cookin Chicks

  • Home
  • About Kristin
  • Recipe Index
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • About Kristin
  • Recipe Index
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • About Kristin
    • Recipe Index
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Drinks

    Tasty Lemon Drop Martini

    Modified: Mar 28, 2023 · Published: Jul 2, 2020 by Kristin · This post may contain affiliate links. · 2 Comments

    FacebookTweetPinEmail
    Jump to Recipe

    This easy Lemon Drop Martini is a vodka-based cocktail that is the perfect balance of sweet and tart. A classic cocktail that can be made with just a few simple ingredients. With only 4 simple ingredients needed, this is one cocktail that can be easily added to your rotation!

    this tasty lemon drop martini comes together with only a few simple ingredients and is perfectly sweet

    Want to save this recipe?

    Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!

    Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
    Loading

    Jump to:
    • The BEST Lemon Drop Martini Recipe
    • Cointreau versus Triple Sec
    • What’s in a Lemon Drop Martini?
    • What does a Lemon Drop Martini taste like?
    • How to Make a Lemon Drop Martini (3 simple steps)
    • How to make Simple Syrup
    • Lemon Drop Martini Cocktail Tips
    • Lemon Drop Martini- Alternative Ingredients
    • More Martini Recipes to try
    • Easy Lemon Drop Martini Cocktail

    The BEST Lemon Drop Martini Recipe

    Lemon lovers, get ready—this lemon drop martini is a cool glass of sweet-tart perfection! The lemon drop beverage was actually created by a man named Norman Jay Hobday at his bar, Henry Africa’s, sometime during the 1970’s. Norman originally served the drink in a cocktail glass. The drink got its name from lemon drop candies that have a similar sweet and sour flavor. It is a classic cocktail that you can make at home using just a few simple ingredients. Skip going out – stay in for drinks!

    Cointreau versus Triple Sec

    Either work great in this, it really comes down to preference.

    Cointreau has a more balanced, well rounded flavor than Triple Sec, which tends to simply taste strongly of sweet oranges. Cointreau has a smoother finish and is a bit higher in alcohol. It is also more expensive.

    What’s in a Lemon Drop Martini?

    A Lemon Drop Martini is a sweet and sour version of a vodka martini. The key to the best lemon drop martini is balancing sour and sweet together!

    • Citron Vodka- you can also use a standard vodka
    • Triple Sec- Cointreau also works
    • Lemon Juice- fresh is best
    • Simple Syrup- you can make this at home or purchase it from the store. I have heard of people using Maple Syrup in place of simple syrup as another option.

    What does a Lemon Drop Martini taste like?

    A Lemon Drop tastes like refreshing lemonade but with a vodka kick! It’s sweet, tart, and it goes down smoothly. It actually tastes very much like the candy for which it was named.

    How to Make a Lemon Drop Martini (3 simple steps)

    Full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post

    1. Rim the Glass- combine the sugar and lemon zest and place in a shallow bowl (or on a plate). Wet the rim of a martini glass lightly with water and dip into the sugar mixture to coat rim thoroughly.
    2. Shake- fill cocktail shaker with ice. Add the vodka, triple sec, lemon juice, and simple syrup into the cocktail shaker. Shake to combine.
    3. Strain and Serve- strain mixture into prepared martini glass. Serve with a lemon or lime wedge (optional)

    How to make Simple Syrup

    The ratio of a basic syrup is equal parts of water to sugar.

    1. In a small saucepan, heat water over medium heat.
    2. Add in the sugar and stir  to combine. Once sugar has dissolved, remove from heat.
    3. Allow simple syrup to fully cool and store in a glass jar or container for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator. You can also store at room temperature for up to 1 week.

    Lemon Drop Martini Cocktail Tips

    • Fresh lemon juice is best, don’t use the bottled juice. For a great juicer, check THIS one out (affiliate)
    • Use a quality vodka. Since this is the base of the drink, try to opt for a smooth, quality vodka.
    • Serve this martini cold. It is so much more refreshing and flavorful when served cold. Shake shake shake that cocktail shaker!!
    • Don’t skimp on the rim. That adds even more sweetness and flavor to this classic cocktail.
    • For an extra twist, add a sprig of mint to the cocktail shaker before shaking up the drink.
    • Want to make this stronger? Add more vodka!

    Lemon Drop Martini- Alternative Ingredients

    This lemon drop is not technically a martini. A classic martini is a savory drink of gin, vermouth, and olive brine. Not a sweet sipper of vodka, orange liqueur, and lemon juice. The only similarity between a martini and a lemon drop is the serving vessel. However, they are a favorite of many, so we can go ahead and keep calling it a martini.

    • Rather than using Lemon Juice, you can use Limoncello
    • Add a splash of lime juice with the lemon juice to give it an added flavor boost.
    • Try Gin in place of Vodka.

     

    a tasty and refreshing lemon drop martini

    More Martini Recipes to try

    Salted Caramel Martini– an absolutely delicious and satisfying dessert martini. The name says it all, a salted caramel celebration in a glass.

    Key Lime Martini– tastes a lot like a Key Lime Pie. It features vanilla vodka, Coco Lopez, Pineapple juice, cream and graham cracker crumbs on the rim of the glass.

    Tiramisu Martini– all the coffee and cream flavors of the classic Italian tiramisu dessert in a delicious cocktail.

    Snickers Martini– If you love Snickers candy bars, you’ll flip for this Salted Caramel Chocolate Martini! Featuring caramel vodka, chocolate liqueur and Irish cream

    Peanut Butter Cup Martini– a decadent cocktail made with chocolate liqueur, creme de cocoa, peanut butter whiskey and heavy cream. Tastes likes a spiked peanut butter cup!

    Bailey’s Peppermint Martini– It’s a delicious and easy cocktail for entertaining.

    Want to save this recipe?

    Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!

    Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
    Loading

    Easy Lemon Drop Martini Cocktail

    Recipe by: Kristin
    This Tasty Lemon Drop Martini is a vodka based cocktail that has a lemony, sweet and sour flavor! The perfect cocktail to enjoy any night of the week!
    4.44 from 16 votes
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Course Drinks
    Servings 1
    Calories 282 kcal

    Equipment

    • Cocktail Shaker
    • Martini Glasses
    • Zester

    Ingredients
      

    Lemon Sugar

    • ½ cup sugar
    • zest of lemon

    Lemon Drop Martini

    • 2 oz vodka *citron vodka
    • 1 oz triple sec
    • 1 oz lemon juice *fresh is best
    • ¾ oz simple syrup

    Instructions
     

    • Combine the sugar and lemon zest and place in a shallow bowl (or on a plate)
    • Wet the rim of a martini glass lightly with water and dip into the sugar mixture to coat rim thoroughly.
    • Fill cocktail shaker with ice.
    • Add the vodka, triple sec, lemon juice, and simple syrup into the cocktail shaker.
    • Shake to combine.
    • Strain mixture into prepared martini glass.
    • Serve with a lemon or lime wedge (optional)

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1glassCalories: 282kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 15mgSugar: 25gVitamin C: 11mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @TheCookinChicks or tag #TheCookinChicks!

    More Drinks

    • a creamy Frozen Mudslide Recipe in a glass.
      Frozen Mudslide Recipe
    • a glass pitcher of Berry Lemonade ready to serve.
      Berry Lemonade
    • Hummingbirds love this homemade nectar
      Hummingbird Nectar
    • a minty ice cream drink served in a glass with whipped cream and a red cherry.
      Shamrock Shake Recipe
    FacebookTweetPinEmail

    Comments

    1. Kathie says

      November 26, 2021 at 7:44 pm

      Limoncello would be great with vodka. It has Meyers lemon and sugar in it already. It’s an Italian liquor.

      Reply
      • Kristin says

        November 29, 2021 at 12:38 pm

        Great idea! I actually have that in my cabinet, so I will need to try!

        Reply
    4.44 from 16 votes (16 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Welcome to The Cookin' Chicks…I am so glad you've stopped by! I am Kristin, a busy mom of 3, a wife, and a family chef! There are three things that motivate me each day - Family, Faith, and FOOD! I, along with the occasional help of friends and family, want to share my food creations with you! So, I invite you to join me around my dinner table through the recipes that I will share with you here. I hope you will enjoy the journey as much as I do!

    More about me →

    Summertime recipes

    • Best Ever Juicy Burgers
    • Cilantro Lime Grilled Chicken
    • Ultimate Potato Salad
    • a tropical Island themed dessert with simple ingredients.
      Hawaiian Cheesecake Salad
    • cold pasta salad served in a glass bowl
      Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
    • a refreshing BBQ side dish with vibrant colors and flavors.
      Mexican Street Corn Coleslaw

    Popular Recipes

    • Ultimate Chicken Casserole
    • French Onion Rice
    • Strawberry Pretzel Salad
    • an up close view of biscuits and gravy breakfast casserole
      Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast Casserole

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Legal

    • Privacy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • About Me

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 The Cookin Chicks

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.