Lemon Drop Cocktail

Vodka
Author: Yash Lakhan
Lemon drop martini

The Lemon Drop cocktail is an extremely popular sweet-tart drink known for its bright, zesty flavour. This well-balanced combination produces a simple, dessert-like beverage which is traditionally served chilled in a sugar-rimmed martini cocktail or coupe glass - providing a unique contrast between the tart liquid and sweet rim. The drink remains a favourite due to its approachable yet elegant flavour, it is ideal for celebratory events or as a palate-neutralising beverage between small plates of food.

What you’ll need

Ingredients

Serves:
1
  • Smirnoff vodka (or any other vodka of choice)
    20ml
  • Orange-flavoured liqueur
    15ml
  • Fresh lemon juice
    15ml
  • Sugar syrup
    10ml
  • Lemon wheel
    For garnish
  • Sugar rim
    For garnish
  • Ice cubes

Method

  1. Step 1

    Prepare a stemmed cocktail glass by moistening the rim with lemon juice and dipping it into sugar.

  2. Step 2

    In a cocktail shaker, combine the vodka, orange liqueur, lemon juice and sugar syrup followed by adding some ice cubes.

  3. Step 3

    Shake the mixture well until it becomes thoroughly chilled and pour the contents into the prepared cocktail glass using a fine strainer.

  4. Step 4

    Place a lemon wheel on the rim of the glass as garnish before serving.

Tips & Suggestions

  • For layered complexity, combine two orange liqueurs - a drier triple sec for balance and a richer, sweeter orange liqueur for depth.

  • Before sugar-rimming, carefully express oils from a lemon peel onto the glass rim; this infuses the sugar with a vivid citrus fragrance, adding an extra layer of aroma.

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FAQs

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