Lemon Drop Martini

Lemon lovers, get ready: this lemon drop martini is a cool glass of sweet-tart perfection! Born in the 1970s, this classic cocktail is perfect for any happy hour.  You can easily double or triple this martini recipe for a small crowd. Fans of lemon desserts will love this simple drink—it's like lemon icebox pie with a kick. 

What's in a lemon drop martini?

No fancy ingredients here—just good old-fashioned mixology. The only spirits needed for this recipe are vodka and triple sec, which is an orange-flavored liqueur. For a splurge, look for Cointreau, which is a high-quality French triple sec. Other than that, all that's needed are lemon juice (fresh squeezed is best) and simple syrup. While it's available at the store, there's no need to buy simple syrup when you can make it yourself in minutes by heating equal parts sugar and water until the sugar dissolves.

What do you use on the rim of martini glasses?

A simple sugar rim does the trick here. Run a lemon wedge around the rim of the glass, then dip the rim in sugar so it sticks. It's as easy as that!

Can you use bottled lemon juice or lemonade in a lemon drop?

While bottled lemon juice will work in a pinch, fresh lemon juice is the best choice when it comes to making the perfect Lemon Drop martini. There's a floral, zippy tartness in fresh lemon juice that no bottled product can compare to. Store-bought lemonade is not a good substitute in this recipe, but if there are non-drinkers coming to the party, whip up a batch of Ree Drummond's homemade lemonade so everyone has something delicious to drink.

What's the best garnish for a martini?

It depends on the type of martini you're making! For a classic or dirty martini, it's all about the olives. But for this fruity, citrus-forward sipper, a twist of lemon is just what you need. It not only looks pretty, it adds another layer of lemony freshness to the drink.