Lemon Drop Martinis Recipe

My favorite lemon drop martinis are made with just three ingredients:  lemon vodka, limoncello and lemonade.

You’ll love it too, the drink is fresh and tart but with a hit of sweet. 

Whenever the husband and I have a date night, which is happening more now that we have a teenager, we usually go to our favorite sushi restaurant. The owner makes a perfect lemon drop martini.

I like to make cocktails at home because it’s so much more economical than going out.

These days in coastal Maine, a lemon drop martini at a restaurant or bar is at least $10. If you’re in a city, they probably cost more. I can make a lot of martinis at home for the price of four martinis at a bar.

After much experimenting and drinking of limoncello martinis, I think I’ve nailed the sushi restaurant owner’s version.

How to Make the Best Lemon Drop Martini

• 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 one minute.
• 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 liquid into a martini glass and serve.

Lemon Vodka Cocktail Notes

This is a great drink to enjoy after long day at work or after an afternoon of weeding and planting in the garden.

Serve with a little bowl of nuts or olives.

Of course, cheese and crackers or biscuits would go well too.

Lemon liquor aka Limoncello Brand 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 Japanese 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.

Variations for Lemon Vodka Cocktails

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.

Yield: 1

3-Ingredient Lemon Drop Martini Recipe

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Three ingredients are all you need to make tangy but sweet lemon drop martinis.

Prep Time: 3 minutes

Cook Time: 1 minute

Total Time: 4 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 ounces citrus vodka
• 2 ounces limoncello
• 2 to 4 ounces lemonade (homemade or your favorite brand
• Ice
• Sugar for rim of glass
• Lemon for garnish
• jigger to measure liquor
• Cocktail shaker or mason jar with tight-fitting lid
• martini glasses

Instructions

1. Rub a slice of lemon around edge of glass.
2. Dip rim of glass in white sugar and set aside.
3. Pour lemonade, vodka and limoncello in a shaker or mason jar and shake well.
4. Pour into a glass over ice.
5. Garnish with a wedge of lemon, if you like.
6. Serves one.

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Related: How to Make The Perfect Martini (Gin Instead of Vodka)

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

Might I suggest Lemon Shortbread Hearts?

Or Arnold Palmer Cookies? 

Further Reading:
History of Limoncello

Don’t go without looking at my favorite white wine recommendation. (It’s delish, foreign and cheap!) Plus it comes usually in a really pretty wine bottle.

How many calories are in vodka? 

Your turn: what’s your favorite cocktail recipe?

Lemon Drop Martini Recipe (Just three ingredients)