How to make the best lemon drop martini cocktail with a homemade lemon sugar rim. This is easily one of our favorite cocktails to make at home!
We’ve been making these lemon drop martinis for years. Our friends know them well, and if you read through the comments, our readers do, too. This is my favorite cocktail if I am in the mood for citrus.
The key to the best lemon drop is balancing sour and sweet. Our recipe calls for fresh lemon juice and we use the zest to make a delicious lemon sugar rim. If you love this recipe you will love our cosmopolitan cocktail! Or, if your in the mood for bubbles and bitter, we highly recommend trying our Aperol spritz!
Key Ingredients
- Vodka: The base of a lemon drop is vodka, so use one you enjoy. A few of our favorite mid-priced vodka brands are Kettle One, Stolichnaya (Stoli), and Tito’s.
- Cointreau or Triple Sec: Both are orange-flavored liqueurs. I especially love Cointreau, but it is more expensive than Triple Sec, so use whichever you prefer.
- Lemon: Fresh lemon juice is best. I use the juice from half a large lemon to make one cocktail. I also love using lemon zest for the sugar rim!
- Simple syrup: Use store-bought or make your own. Here’s how to make simple syrup.
Find the full recipe with measurements below.
How to Make the Best Lemon Drop Martini
Tip 1: Lemon sugar rim. I highly recommend adding lemon sugar to the rim of your martini glass. It takes this cocktail up a notch. Use a microplane to zest a lemon into sugar. Using your finger, rub the lemon zest into the sugar until it smells like lemon and looks pale yellow. Then, spread the lemon sugar out on a plate. Chill your martini glass, rub a lemon wedge around the rim, and dunk the glass into the lemon sugar.
Tip 2: Use a cocktail shaker. I use a cocktail shaker filled with ice when making lemon drop martinis. Not only does a cocktail shaker quickly chill all of the ingredients but small ice pieces chip off that slightly dilute the drink. This is intentional to help balance all of the flavors. Add vodka, Cointreau (or Triple Sec), fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup, close the lid, and shake until very cold. Strain the martini into your prepared glass and enjoy!
Tip 3: Make a head to serve a crowd. I love making lemon drop martinis when I have a group of friends coming over! Instead of making each martini individually, you’ll make a large batch in a pitcher and then chill it in the fridge. You can also make the lemon sugar in advance! To make a pitcher that serves 4, you will need 1 cup (8oz) vodka, 6 tablespoons (3oz) Cointreau, 1/2 cup (4oz) lemon juice, and 6 tablespoons (3oz) simple syrup. To serve them, moisten the rim of each glass, dip it in the lemon sugar, and then pour in the premade martini.
More Cocktail Recipes
Perfect Lemon Drop Martini
- PREP
- TOTAL
For the best lemon drop martinis, use good-quality vodka and freshly squeezed lemon juice, and keep everything cold. If you plan to make lemon sugar, remove the zest from the lemon before juicing.
Watch Us Make the Recipe
You Will Need
Lemon Drop Martini2 ounces (¼ cup) quality vodka, try a citron vodka
¾ ounce (1 ½ tablespoons) Cointreau or triple sec
1 ounce (2 tablespoons) fresh squeezed lemon juice (juice from ½ large lemon)
¾ ounce (1 ½ tablespoons) simple syrup
Lemon Sugar½ cup granulated sugar
Zest from 1 lemon
Directions
- Make Lemon Sugar
1Add sugar to a plate, then rub the zest into the sugar with your fingers until it is tinted yellow and fragrant.
- Make Martini
1Moisten the rim of a chilled martini glass with the juiced lemon, turn the glass upside down, twist into the lemon sugar, and set aside.
2Add vodka, Cointreau (or triple sec), lemon juice, simple syrup, and a handful of ice to a cocktail shaker. Shake for 30 seconds or until very cold. Strain into the prepared martini glass and serve immediately.
Adam and Joanne's Tips
- Simple syrup: Use store-bought or make homemade simple syrup.
- The nutrition facts provided below are estimates.
I want to make this by the gallon has anyone made that much with fresh lemons or will the real lemon juice be fine. Thank you
My absolute favorite lemon drop recipe! Making a pitcher for the first time, will it keep in the fridge til next day?
Amazing! Yes, this cocktail is great for making ahead 🙂
Wow! This is wonderful!
The lemon Drop martini taste real good . It is easy to make.
I make this a lot. Yum!
Glad you enjoy it, Monna!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!!!
Loved this recipe, it will now be my go to when making lemon drops. Adding the lemon zest to the sugared rim took it to the next level! I use superfine sugar for rimming rather than granulated.
Delicious. I used Liber & Co. strawberry syrup instead of simple syrup to make a strawberry lemon drop and it turned out great. Definitely use REYKA Vodka … super smooth.
Omg…yes! Not many people know about Reyka vodka! The best! This recipe is fabulous!!
The recipe I always come back to! It comes out perfect every time. I have made it per glass as well as bulk and it’s a hit. I use triple sec and Tito’s to keep it budget friendly.
I sub Lemoncillo for the simple syrup…yummmy!! ;P
Absolutely love this recipe! The Lemon Drop Martini strikes that perfect balance between tart and sweet, and this version really nails it. The use of fresh lemon juice makes all the difference, and that sugar rim adds just the right touch of elegance. It’s refreshing, vibrant, and perfect for both casual evenings and special occasions.
Delicious! Made this for a function and everyone loved it. Used 1.5 oz. vodka to make it slightly sweeter. Will definitely keep this one in the repertoire.
I make this for all my parties in the one gallon mason jars and place it in the freezer. I use meyer lemons and Cointreau. I also make my simple syrup. I have used a variety of vodkas, but my favorite is probably New Amsterdam.
Delightful! I added an little extra simple syrup (1/2 ounce) because I like mine slightly sweeter! So good
Best lemon drop martini I’ve ever had! ❤️
Thank you so much! This is the best lemon drop recipe hands down.
That lemon drop recipe was perfect and I am hooked!! Thank you!
Perfect! As good as billed! My husband loved it too. I appreciate your clear instructions. Thanks!
I didn’t have any triple sec or Cointreau so I used some bartender’s ketchup (St-Germain elderflower liqueur) and it was delicious! Highly recommended. Also have used Bombay Sapphire gin instead of vodka – just as good (a Collins, I think). Cheers!
Thank you!! i was actually wondering if i could sub in St. Germain for the triple sec! Did you happen to use the same amount as the orange liqueur? i was concerned about it being overpowering…
The BEST lemon drop recipe and my go-to!! Thanks for sharing! I follow exactly, and often triple it to make enough for two, large martinis for my husband and I. 😁
Thankyou for this gorgeous recipe! I was searching online for a cocktail with lemon juice& came across your recipe for this Lemon Drop. It’s really lovely! Refreshing& not too sweet, although l didn’t add the simple syrup, l find triple sec sweet enough. Thankyou again, l can’t wait to try more of your recipes!
So good that I’m making a double batch for a neighborhood cocktail get-together!
Love it! 🙂
Simply outstanding! Thank you!
So easy and so delicious – it’s perfect! Love that it tastes sweeter as it warms up. This is my new “go to” cocktail – thank you!
I use Smirnoff whipped cream vodka in mine. Smooth as silk!
This is the perfect recipe for a classic lemon drop martini! I have also made the same recipe but using fresh lime juice. I almost think I like it better!
I made the simple syrup with Monkfruit sweetener and with mint and lemon peel delicious!
Best lemon drop and lower calories!
This is a nice, easy to accomplish recipe.
This is the best homemade recipe I’ve found for a lemon drop! Easy to make. Made the simple syrup in the micowave.
So glad that you found us! We are so happy that you enjoyed your cocktail 🙂
Incredible!
Absolutely delicious!!!
Hands down best lemon drop martini! You MUST use Cointreau. I know its expensive but I think that is what makes a difference.
Tried this recipe today, it was so refreshing for the pool!!! Definitely going to be my go to lemon martini.
Delicious!! Can’t wait to make at my next dinner gathering.
Thank you for this recipe! It’s so simple and delicious. It’s always our go to! Such a refreshing treat after a long day of work here in South Carolina
Switch the plain vodka or Cointreau/ Triple Sec to Limoncello liqueur for true lemon flavor! Much better
That’s what I always do and it’s awesome! Doesn’t fail! Limoncello in lieu of the simple syrup and liquor.
Thanks for the recipe. Can’t wait to try it over Easter. Can I make a jug of this by multiplying measurements, or is it best to make in small batches? Thank you.
Definitely, just be careful when people pour their drinks, these are potent.