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lemon drop martini
The Culinary Chase

Lemon Drop Martini

A bright, refreshing Lemon Drop Martini made with vodka, fresh lemon juice and Cointreau, finished with a fragrant lemon sugar rim and a splash of elderflower liqueur.
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Servings: 1 person
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 oz vodka
  • 1 oz lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 1 oz Cointreau or your favourite orange liqueur
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup

Equipment

  • 1 cocktail shaker can also use a large jar with a lid

Method
 

  1. Pour about 1/4 cup of white sugar into a small bowl. Before juicing your lemon, finely grate some of the zest over the sugar. Using clean fingers, rub the zest into the sugar. This releases the fragrant lemon oils and turns an ordinary sugared rim into something much more delicious.
  2. Once you’ve juiced the lemon, keep one half. Run it around the rim of a martini or coupe glass, then dip the glass into the lemon sugar.
  3. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add the vodka, fresh lemon juice, Cointreau and simple syrup. Shake firmly until the outside of the shaker is wonderfully cold, then strain into your prepared glass.

Notes

Here’s my little secret: add a splash of St Germain elderflower liqueur before shaking. Its delicate floral flavour slips quietly into the background and softens the sharpness of the lemon without taking away what makes a Lemon Drop so refreshing. It’s a small addition, but a lovely one. Enjoy!