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Classic Lemon Drop Martini Recipe

A bright yellow lemon drop cocktail served in a coupe glass with a sugared rim and a lemon twist garnish.

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Make the perfect, refreshing Lemon Drop Martini. This recipe balances tart fresh lemon juice with smooth vodka and a sweet, sugared rim for a bright, easy cocktail ready in minutes.

Ingredients

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

Instructions

  1. Prepare the glass: Run a lemon wedge around the rim of a chilled martini glass. Roll the outer rim of the glass in granulated sugar. Set the glass aside.
  2. Measure the ingredients: Add the vodka, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and triple sec into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
  3. Shake well: Close the shaker 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 proper balance.
  4. Strain and serve: Double strain the mixture into the prepared, sugar-rimmed martini glass.
  5. Garnish: Express the oils from a lemon peel over the drink and place the peel on the rim or inside the glass.

Notes

  • For the best flavor, use fresh lemon juice; bottled juice changes the tartness.
  • Adjust the simple syrup amount based on your preference for sweet versus tart.
  • To make simple syrup, combine equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan and heat until the sugar dissolves. Cool before using.
  • For a Lemon Drop Shot, reduce the liquid volume proportionally and serve in a shot glass.

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