The recipe
for your table
Rub the outside rim of the glass with a lemon wedge and dip it in the sugar. Place the glass in the freezer.
Add the vodka, triple sec, lemon juice, and sugar syrup to the shaker with plenty of ice.
Shake vigorously for 15 seconds until the shaker is frosted.
Double strain into the chilled glass and garnish with a lemon zest.
The story
The Lemon Drop originated in San Francisco in the 1970s, at a time when vodka was rapidly gaining ground in America and bartenders were looking for ways to use it that went beyond mixing it with juice. The cocktail is built like a classic sour—spirit, liqueur, citrus, sugar—but the sugar rim is what sets it apart: it makes the first sip a completely different experience from the last. In the 1990s, it became one of the country’s most popular “martinis,” alongside the Cosmopolitan and the Appletini—none of the three a true martini, but all served in the same glass.
The right glass
A martini glass holding 20 to 26 cl is standard here, and the wide rim serves a purpose: it’s where the sugar rim goes. The wider the rim, the more sugar stays in place and the more pronounced the sweet-and-sour effect. The cocktail is served without ice, so always chill the glass beforehand and hold it by the stem. Choose clear glass—the light, cloudy lemon yellow is exactly the color you want to see, while tinted glass makes it look dull.
Arcoroc Brio Cocktail Glass 20 Cl (6 pieces)
Bormioli Rocco Novecento Nick & Nora 15.5 Cl (4 pieces)
€54.90 together, so shipping is free.
Variations & twists
Replace the vodka with limoncello for an Italian version, or use gin for a more herbal result. A basil or thyme leaf in the shaker gives the cocktail depth without requiring you to adjust the balance. Add a splash of prosecco on top for a light, festive version. In the mood for the same structure with cranberry? See the Cosmopolitan. Find more inspiration in all cocktail recipes.
Serving tip
Sugar only the outer rim. If you flatten the glass through the sugar, half of it will fall into your cocktail, making it too sweet within two sips. Use fine granulated sugar — coarse sugar does not stick well, and powdered sugar clumps. Fresh lemon juice is non-negotiable; bottled juice makes this cocktail flat and bitter at the same time.
Frequently asked questions
Which glass do you use for a Lemon Drop Martini?
A 20 to 26 cl martini glass with a wide rim for the sugar. View our martini glasses.
How do you make the sugared rim?
Rub the outer rim with a lemon wedge, then roll the glass on its side through fine granulated sugar. Only coat the outside, otherwise the sugar will fall into your drink.
Is this a real martini?
No. It contains no gin or vermouth; it’s a sour served in a martini glass. That applies to virtually all cocktails with “-tini” in the name.
Can you make it alcohol-free?
Yes: use 0.0 vodka and orange syrup instead of triple sec. Keep the fresh lemon juice and sugared rim — that’s where this cocktail gets its character.
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