Introduction

The Lemon Drop Martini is a refreshing, tangy cocktail perfect for brightening any occasion. Combining zesty lemon flavors with a touch of sweetness, this drink is both crisp and delightfully smooth. It’s easy to make and sure to impress your guests.

Three clear martini glasses filled with a pale yellow lemon drink, each glass rimmed with coarse salt and garnished with a twist of lemon peel on the edge. The drinks are set on a dark wooden surface with a whole lemon and a halved lemon nearby, along with a small sprig of green leaves. The background is simple and blurred to keep focus on the drinks. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1/3 cup sugar (for rimming glasses)
Zest of 1 giant lemon or 2 medium lemons (for rimming glasses)
3/4 cup good quality lemonade (Simply Lemonade or homemade)
2 oz lemon or citrus vodka (about 2 shots, 360 Sorrento Lemon Vodka recommended)

To Make Your Own Fresh Squeezed Lemonade

1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
½ cup granulated sugar or ultra fine granulated baking sugar
2 cups water or club soda

Instructions

Step 1: Place martini glasses in the freezer to chill while you prepare the drinks.
Step 2: Make the sugar for rimming the glasses by combining 1/3 cup sugar and lemon zest in a small dish. Use your fingers to mix until well combined.
Step 3: Rub a small slice of lemon around the rim of each chilled glass. Dip the damp rim into the sugar and zest mixture to coat. Set the glasses aside to dry.
Step 4: Prepare your lemonade by stirring together fresh lemon juice, granulated sugar, and water until the sugar dissolves, or use a high-quality store-bought lemonade.
Step 5: Combine 3/4 cup lemonade with 2 oz lemon or citrus vodka in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
Step 6: Shake well until chilled, then strain the mixture into the prepared, sugar-rimmed martini glasses.
Step 7: Serve immediately and enjoy! Repeat if desired.

Tips & Variations

For a sparkling twist, substitute club soda for water in your homemade lemonade.
Adjust sweetness by varying the amount of sugar in your lemonade to your taste.
Use fresh lemon juice for the best bright and natural flavor.
To make a larger batch, mix 3 cups lemonade with 1 cup lemon vodka to serve eight, or 12 cups lemonade with 4 cups lemon vodka for 32 drinks. Keep refrigerated until serving.

Storage

Store any leftover homemade lemonade in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Pre-mixed cocktail batches (lemons, lemonade, and vodka combined) can be kept chilled in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Shake or stir before serving. Avoid storing cocktails with ice to prevent dilution.

How to Serve

Three martini glasses filled with a pale yellow translucent drink are shown on a white marbled surface. Each glass has a thick sugar rim and is garnished with a curled lemon peel resting on the edge. Two whole lemons are placed nearby, one lemon sliced in half showing its bright yellow flesh, with a small green leaf next to it. The clear glass stemware reflects light gently, and the overall scene is bright and fresh. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular vodka instead of lemon vodka?

Yes, regular vodka works fine, but using lemon or citrus vodka enhances the bright lemon flavor in the cocktail.

How do I make the sugar rim stick to the glass?

Rub a lemon slice around the glass rim to moisten it, then dip it into the lemon-zest sugar mixture. The moisture helps the sugar adhere evenly.