Lemon Drop Martini Recipe: How to Make a Lemon Drop

A Lemon Drop Martini is a citrusy twist on a Vodka Martini. Originating in San Francisco at the well-known bar Henry’s Africa, this classic cocktail consists of vodka, fresh lemon juice, triple sec (or any orange liqueur), and simple syrup. It then gets shaken with ice and poured into a sugar-rimmed glass.

If Margaritas are one of your favorite cocktails, you’ll likely enjoy the mouth-puckering tartness of a Lemon Drop Martini. Here are some tips for making it taste singularly refreshing and flavorful:

1. 1. Use good-quality vodka. Vodka cocktail recipes generally let their star ingredients shine since the vodka itself has little flavor. Still, with so few ingredients in this cocktail, a good, clean-tasting vodka will ensure a smooth, mellow flavor—rather than the harsh bite of lower-quality alcohol.
2. 2. Keep it fresh. Using fresh lemon juice is key to bright acidity and refreshing tartness. If you only have bottled lemon juice on hand, it’s probably better to wait to make the cocktail until you have fresh fruit. Learn how to juice a lemon properly.
3. 3. Make it cold. The best Lemon Drop Martinis get served ice cold. Keep this cocktail frosty by shaking it with lots of ice and serving it immediately. You can also put your cocktail shaker and cocktail glass in the freezer to keep their temperatures low.
4. 4. Choose your nibbles. A Lemon Drop cocktail is an easy recipe that comes together in a snap—giving you more time to select some cocktail hour finger foods to go with your drink. Offset the sour and sweet flavor of your Lemon Drop with a salty nut mix tossed with rosemary and lemon zest. You could also try briny mixed olives or hors d’oeuvres that combine sweetness and savoriness, like cheese and onion jam on crackers.
5. 5. Amp up the citrus. Incorporate more citrus action into the cocktail by adding in an ounce of Limoncello for extra sweetness—or swap in or combine any citrus juice you have on hand. Using citrus vodka will also add an extra layer of lemony flavor.