When making lemon drop martinis, use good-quality vodka and freshly squeezed lemon juice, and keep everything cold. A few of our favorite mid-priced vodka brands are Kettle One, Stolichnaya (Stoli), and Tito’s.
If you plan to make lemon sugar, removing the zest from the lemon before juicing them for the martini is best. When you need to moisten the edge of the glass, use the leftover lemon halves after juicing.
2 ounces (1/4 cup) quality vodka, try a citron vodka
3/4 ounce (1 ½ tablespoons) Cointreau or triple sec
1 ounce (2 tablespoons) fresh squeezed lemon juice (Juice from 1/2 large lemon)
3/4 ounce (1 ½ tablespoons) simple syrup, see our recipe for simple syrup
Ice
Lemon sugar, for glass rim
1/2 cup granulated sugar
Zest from 1 lemon
Add sugar to a plate, then rub the zest into the sugar with your fingers until it is tinted yellow and fragrant.
Moisten the rim of a chilled martini glass with the juiced lemon, turn the glass upside down, twist into the lemon sugar, and set aside.
Add vodka, Cointreau (or triple sec), lemon juice, simple syrup, and a handful of ice to a cocktail shaker. Shake for 30 seconds or until very cold. Strain into the prepared martini glass and serve immediately.