Lemon Drop Martini (3-Ingredient Recipe with Limoncello)

Lemon Drop Martinis with Limoncello are too good. Ask me how I know 😉.

This is an easy lemonade cocktail made with limoncello, an Italian liqueur, aka nectar of the gods.

No squeezing of lemons required--just slicing one lemon for garnish, but that's totally optional.

There are a ton of ways to make lemon drops.

My version just involves pouring and shaking and gets a boost of lemony goodness from limoncello.

I used Pallini Limoncello because that's available locally. But there are several other brands.

Lemon Drop Martinis are a perfect after work drink or for a gathering of friends.

But lemonade alcohol drinks are also festive enough for holidays or a New Year's Day brunch.

Do you love martinis as much as I do? You've got to try this strawberry martini, which features a simple syrup made with fresh strawberries. Yum!

If you like citrus drinks, you'll also like Grapefruit Vodka Martini (3-Ingredient Drink or Grapefruit Rosemary Martinis.

Have you ever had a manmosa? Cindy has a great recipe to try for a manmosa.

Jump to:

• Ingredients for a Lemon Drop
• Instructions
• Substitutions
• Variations
• Equipment
• Storage
• Top tip
• Lemon Drop Martini History
• Lemon Drop Martini (3-Ingredient Recipe)
•  
•  

Ingredients for a Lemon Drop

• citrus vodka
• limoncello
• lemonade
• ice
• lemons (optional for garnish)
• granulated sugar or superfine sugar (optional for garnish)

Instructions

You'll gather your ingredients: lemonade, vodka and ice.

Slice a lemon into rounds for garnish and to use if you're going to make a fancy sugared rim on the edges of the martini glasses.

Gather a cocktail shaker or mason jar and two martini glasses.

If you're going to do the sugared rims, also grab a small plate or saucer to hold the sugar.

Combine two ounces each of lemon vodka and limoncello with two to four ounces of lemonade in a cocktail shaker or mason jar, which has been packed full of ice cubes.

Shake until the shaker or jar and liquid is freezing cold, at least 15 seconds.

Pour a few tablespoons of white sugar on a small plate.

Run a lemon wedge along the rim of a martini glass.

Roll the rim of the glass in the sugar.

Pour lemon drops into a martini glass and serve.

Hint: Be sure to shake the cocktail shaker for at least 15 seconds or until the shaker turns frosty.

You want the ice to hit all the sides of the shaker while moving it up and down.

Substitutions

• Citrus Vodka - substitute plain vodka or gin.

Variations

• Lemonade - use a different type of juice such as raspberry lemonade or limeade or use a sparkling Italian lemonade.
• Float-a flower ice cube on top to be extra fancy.
• Fizz - top with seltzer water or club soda if you like fizz.

Lemon Liquor Recommendations

If you're living in Europe or an urban part of the U.S. maybe you have access to multiple brands of limoncello.

I have just two limoncello brands on my local liquor shelves: Caravella and Pallini.

Pallini is a brand I really like it and it happens to the brand that my favorite bartender uses.

I've tried making my own limoncello and didn't love how it turned out.

I used vodka, which I think might have been the issue. I've done some research which says a high alcohol content like Everclear is the best base for lemon liquor.

I've been using prepared lemonade for the lemon vodka mixed cocktails but lemon drop martinis would be even better with homemade lemonade.

Garnish Idea

Make Easy Dried Citrus SlicesEasy Dried Orange Slices

Equipment

This is one of the best cocktail shakers you can buy and it's under $12.

I like it because it's smaller and I have small hands. But the Koriko has a bunch of five-star reviews.

People like it because it doesn't leak, it's easy to shake and it's not too heavy.

If you're on a budget and don't have a cocktail shaker, use a mason jar with a tight-fitting lid.

But, the right shaker can make a difference in your drinks by improving the aeration.

I use a small cocktail shaker because I'm usually just mixing martinis for myself and one other person--okay--well the cat. (kidding, please don't report me to the SPCA).

Storage

These alcoholic lemon drinks are best prepared fresh.

You could make a pitcher of these a few hours in advance and store in the fridge but they don't take much time.

I recommend just having all of your ingredients in one area and your tools gathered together to speed preparation.

Top tip

Take the extra step to rim the edges of your martini glasses with a bit of lemon and then dip the edge into superfine sugar or regular granulated sugar.

A sugared rim on a lemon drop martini looks fancy and it adds a bit of sweetness to the drink.

Lemon Drop Martini History

The lemondrop martini is a popular drink.

History says it was invented by a San Francisco bar owner in the 1970's.

There are lots of different recipes. Some call for lemon juice, others lime juice and triple sec. I really love limoncello and lemonade so that's what I use.:

If you're out of vodka, pour an ounce of limoncello in a tall glass full of ice and top with seltzer water.

Do you need a lemon inspired dessert to accompany your cocktails?

Might I suggest Lemon Shortbread Hearts?

How Many Calories Are in Vodka?

Your turn: what's your favorite cocktail recipe?