Last updated on April 28th, 2023
I DON’T MEAN TO SHOCK YOU, but I’m having a sordid summer fling with a Lemon Drop Martini. Do you know this refreshing cocktail! It’s cold…tart…sweet. It’s served in a sugar-rimmed glass. And it’s really easy to make:
Note: A Lemon Drop Martini isn’t a real martini, for it contains neither gin nor vermouth. The name simply refers to the kind of glass in which the drink is poured.
Lemon Drop Martini
Ingredients for one cocktail
5 ice cubes
1 1/2 ounces (or one ” jigger”) good-quality vodka
3/4 ounce (or one half-jigger) Cointreau
Juice of one half lemon
1 teaspoon super-fine (instant-dissolving) sugar, plus more for coating the rim of the glass
Garnish – a thin strip of lemon peel
Special equipment – a cocktail shaker; a 5-ounce martini glass; a salad plate for holding the sugar
First, drop 5 ice cubes into the jar of your cocktail shaker.
Then add one jigger of vodka.
And by the way, I always use the cap of my cocktail shaker to measure spirits and liqueurs. The cap holds exactly 1 1/2 ounces, or one “jigger” of liquid.
Now measure one half jigger of Cointreau…
And pour it into the jar.
Also add 1 teaspoon of super-fine sugar. Super-fine sugar dissolves instantly in liquid.
Now hold on a minute. I’ve just received an email from reader Delores.
Dear Kevin, I don’t have super-fine sugar. Can I use regular granulated sugar instead? Have a nice day. Delores.
My response:
Dear Delores, I’m afraid that only super-fine sugar will do. Granulated sugar will give your drink a gritty taste. Have a nice day. Kevin.
You can find super-fine sugar in the baking aisle of any supermarket. Even my lousy, low-end supermarket sells the stuff.
Now take half a lemon…
And squeeze its juice into the shaker. Don’t worry about seeds landing in the jar — they’ll be strained out later.
Oh. Use only fresh lemon for this cocktail. Bottled lemon juice has an unnatural taste.
By “unnatural,” I mean “ghastly.”
Replace the strainer and cap on your cocktail shaker…
And shake it, baby!
Shake it up…
Shake it down…
As you move…
Your hips around.
I believe e.e. cummings wrote that little ditty.
Now pour some super-fine sugar onto a blue and gold plate…
And then snap your fingers, and produce a traditional martini glass. The traditional size holds about 2/3 cup of liquid.
Rub the rim of the glass with the (previously-squeezed) lemon-half.
Turn the glass upside down on the plate of sugar…
And then pause to admire your beautiful creation.
Finally, pour the ice-cold cocktail into your martini glass…
And add a strip of lemon peel.
Bottoms up!
Here’s the printable:
Lemon Drop Martini
Equipment
- A cocktail shaker
- A 5-ounce cocktail ("martini") glass
Ingredients
- 5 ice cubes
- 1 1/2 ounces (one "jigger") good-quality vodka
- 3/4 ounce (half jigger) Cointreau or Grand Marnier
- 1 lemon, halved
- 1 teaspoon Caster sugar (super-fine sugar) plus more if desired to coat rim of glass
Instructions
- Put the ice cubes, vodka, Cointreau, the juice from half of the lemon and the teaspoon of caster sugar into a cocktail shaker. Shake for 5 seconds. Set aside.
- Pour a small amount of caster sugar onto a plate. Run a piece of the remaining lemon half over the rim of the cocktail glass to moisten it. Tip the cocktail glass upside side, and dip it into the sugar.
- Strain the cocktail into the glass, and garnish with a piece of lemon peel. Enjoy!
I hope you’ll try this unusual cocktail some day. I think it’s an utterly-delightful drink for a hot, muggy afternoon.
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Cynthia says
“I generally avoid temptation unless I can’t resist it” … Mae West
Really must start bring in a flask to work, think they may get suspicious with the martini glasses in the frezzer. It looks so good, hurry up quiting time!
Slainte
Leticia says
That looks refreshing and delish!
Lisa F says
Looks wonderful and refreshing and I will definitely try this on a hot summer day, of which there are many to come. Thanks for clarifying, however, that it is NOT a real martini. See you soon at our low-end, lousy supermarket!
erin brady says
Man oh man, could I use one of those right about now….looks soooooo refreshing!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Cynthia – One of Mae’s best lines!
Leticia, Lisa F and Erin – If you make this Lemon Drop Martini, let me know how it turns out for you. I think it’s one of the best cocktails…ever.
badger gardener says
In my younger days my friends and I did lemon drop shots using sugar and lemon the way you do shots of tequila w/ the lime and salt. This seems like a more grown up version.
We have a garden planting event scheduled at our school campus on Sat. in the sweltering heat. It’s going to be a wonderful, colorful, scent-filled garden designed outside our new high school rooms for kids w/ significant disabilities. I’m worried people are going to stay away because of the high temps. I think I’ll try to entice a few more volunteers w/ an invite to my house after we’re done for these summery cocktails. I’d serve them during the planting event itself, but I think there are rules against alcohol on public school grounds. Cheers!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
badger gardener – Well, if you promised me a Lemon Drop martini after a planting session in the hot sun, I’d show up for that planting session! Have fun with your project. Miserably hot here, too.
Laura says
I’m convinced–I can’t live any longer without a cocktail shaker. The photos are so enticing, and the instructions are so clear–Lemon Drop martini, here I come!
Elisabeth says
This is also yummy with blueberry vodka!
=)
Jo-Anne says
Kevin….you certainly take time to reflect…that’s what’s missing in my life….thank you for bringing it back…AND you have also brought back pi…..zzaaaaaaaaazzzzzzzzzzzzzz!
Jo-Anne
Vancouver Island
British Columbia
Donna Allenbaugh says
Too many capitals for an e.e. cummings ditty, but I like it anyway. Oh, and also the martini.
Marija Benson says
Kevin,
Just sharing, when I need superfine and have none on hand, I just give some granulated sugar a quick zuzz in my coffee/spice grinder. Voila, superfine sugar! Love your newsletters. Marija
of
got flourz (soon to be blog)
gold price says
Answers.com > Wiki Answers > Categories > Food & Cooking > Baking > What is super fine sugar?
Tami says
Delicious with ginger syrup added too and I love to say it my tonic to keep colds and flus away.
mrs.rabbit says
I’m in the midst of brewing a batch of curaçao (ready in a month) Any spring cocktail suggestions for it?
BjTreants says
Hot Damn—now you are talking Kev (Keven Lee)-in the South we say the full name-if Mamma gave you two fine names we just feel we do not want to offend Mamma by not using both) but I digress — You may be above the Mason/Dixon line my friend but this outstanding libation is a Summer drink just made for our Southern Summer Sizzle !!! This one will be made and enjoyed by one and all-and “Bless Your Heart Ya’ll”
Brenda Joyce Treants
ellie says
Still tasty after all these years. Made these refreshing delights for friends this weekend. They begged me for the recipe.