Classic Lemon Drop Martini: The Perfect Sweet and Tart Cocktail
Make the best Lemon Drop Martini with this simple recipe. Achieve the perfect balance of sweet and tart citrus flavor and master the essential sugared rim for your next happy hour.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 5 min
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Category: Cocktail
- Method: Shaking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 oz Vodka
- 1 oz Fresh lemon juice
- 0.75 oz Triple Sec (or Cointreau)
- 0.5 oz Simple syrup (adjust to taste)
- Lemon peel, for garnish
- Granulated sugar, for rim
Instructions
- Prepare the glass: Pour a thin layer of granulated sugar onto a small plate. Rub the rim of a chilled martini glass with a lemon wedge. Gently invert the glass and press the rim into the sugar to coat evenly. Set the glass aside.
- Combine ingredients: Add the vodka, fresh lemon juice, triple sec, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake well: Close the shaker tightly and shake hard until the outside of the shaker is very cold, about 15 to 20 seconds. This chills and slightly dilutes the drink for the best texture.
- Strain: Double strain the mixture into the prepared, sugar-rimmed martini glass.
- Garnish: Express the oils from the lemon peel over the drink by twisting it, then place the peel on the rim or drop it into the drink. Serve immediately.
Notes
- To make simple syrup, combine equal parts water and sugar in a saucepan. Heat and stir until the sugar dissolves completely. Cool before using.
- For a less tart drink, start with 0.25 oz of simple syrup and increase as needed.
- If you prefer a Lemon Drop Shot, use the same ingredients but reduce the volume by half and serve in a shot glass without the sugared rim, or use lemon-flavored vodka.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cocktail
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 2
- Fat: 0
- Saturated Fat: 0
- Unsaturated Fat: 0
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 14
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 0
- Cholesterol: 0