The Ultimate Lemon Drop Martini - Easy!

https://www.notquitenigella.com/2026/07/12/lemon-drop-martini/

Lemon Drop Martini Recipe

An Original Recipe by Lorraine Elliott

Recipe Overview

Preparation time: 4 minutes

Cooking time: 0 minutes

Serves: 1

Ingredients Needed

For sugar rim (enough for 4-6 martinis)

  • 1 tablespoon white sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest, finely grated

For cocktail

  • 50ml/1.7 floz lemon vodka
  • 25ml/0.8floz limoncello or triple sec
  • 25ml/0.8floz lemon juice
  • 25ml/0.8floz simple syrup

Step-By-Step Instructions

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Step 1 RIM - Mix the sugar and lemon zest in a small rimmed plate. Rub some of the cut lemon on the edge of the glass and then press rim into the sugar. Set aside.

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Step 2 COCKTAIL - Add the lemon vodka, limoncello, lemon juice and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker along with a handful of ice. Shake for 15 seconds and then pour in the prepared glass.

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Step 3 GARNISH - Garnish with a lemon wheel or a lemon twist. To make a lemon twist, peel a small length of zest (around 10cm/4inches) and twist around a chopstick. Hold for 10 seconds and then add to the cocktail.

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Personal Note

I think this Lemon Drop is now Mr NQN's favourite cocktail. A part of it is the taste but another part is the fact that we made the limoncello together. I love making this cocktail because it's the easiest cocktail to make and just requires some fresh lemons.

We were given some beautiful lemons from our neighbour Nicky. Her father lives across the back fence from her and his tree has the very best Meyer lemons ever. They're nothing like the versions that we are used to getting at the supermarket. The skin is supple with a thin pith and they are incredibly juicy. They look so perfect that they almost look like fake lemons.

I've been saving these lemons to use for a special recipe (I wanted to make a lemon tart but that's a long story and it didn't happen) and they were such a hit with Mr NQN that I ended up using most of them on this!

So tell me Dear Reader, do you have a source for good homegrown lemons? Have you ever tried a lemon drop cocktail?


Did you make this?

© Lorraine Elliott