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The Ultimate Classic Lemon Drop Martini Recipe

Close-up of a chilled lemon drop cocktail in a martini glass with a sugared rim and lemon twist garnish.

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Make the perfect sweet and tart Lemon Drop Martini at home. This easy vodka cocktail uses simple ingredients and features a classic sugared rim for a bright, refreshing sip.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 oz Vodka
  • 1 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 0.75 oz Triple Sec (or Cointreau)
  • 0.75 oz Simple Syrup
  • Lemon peel, for garnish
  • Granulated sugar, for rim

Instructions

  1. Prepare the rim: Pour granulated sugar onto a small plate. Rub the rim of a chilled martini glass with a lemon wedge, then gently dip the rim into the sugar to coat evenly. Set the glass aside.
  2. Combine ingredients: In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add the vodka, fresh lemon juice, triple sec, and simple syrup.
  3. 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.
  4. Strain: Double strain the mixture into your prepared, sugar-rimmed martini glass.
  5. Garnish: Express the oils from a lemon peel over the drink by twisting it, then place the peel on the rim or drop it into the glass. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • For the best sweet and tart balance, taste your lemon juice first; if it is very tart, slightly reduce the amount of lemon juice or increase the simple syrup by 0.25 oz.
  • To make simple syrup, combine equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan and heat until the sugar dissolves. Cool completely before using.
  • Chill your martini glass in the freezer for at least 10 minutes before mixing the drink for a colder cocktail.

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