Add some zing to your summer nights with a Strawberry Lemon Drop Cocktail. This jewel-toned, sweet dessert martini bursts with berry flavor and a punch of citrus. You’ll definitely want to celebrate summer with this sun-kissed, instant mood-lifter of a drink.
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About this Strawberry Lemon Drop recipe
Strawberry season is back with a (happy) vengeance. Every week, I’ve been waiting for the farmers market signs alerting me to “fresh strawberries here!” to lure me in, and it finally happened.
With strawberry season comes strawberry drink, not surprisingly my favorite part. These juicy berries star in everything from strawberry lemonade to sparkling strawberry mimosas.
Strawberries are so versatile, so it’s fun to mix them up into other favorite cocktails, like the classic lemon drop martini. This classic, sweet martini drink is made with fresh lemon juice, vodka, simple syrup, orange liqueur and a lemon twist, but strawberries really take it to the next level.
Sweet martinis like the lemon drop aren’t really based on the classic martini, which is more of a savory drink. They’re a distant cousin — dessert martinis usually refer to drinks made with vodka yet served in a martini glass *. Whatever you call it, you’re going to love this Strawberry Lemon Drop cocktail!
More lemon cocktails: Lemon Mojito • Frozen Lemon Daiquiri • Honey Lemon Whiskey Sour
Why you’ll love this recipe
Whether you’ve never tried a lemon drop drink or it’s one of your go-to drink orders, you’re definitely going to love this strawberry take on it!
- It’s refreshing berry bliss mixed with a tart lemon kick — the perfect balance of sweetness.
- Served in a sugar-rimmed martini glass * with a lemon twist, this elegant cocktail is sophisticated yet simple to make.
- Lemon lovers will love this cocktail with a vibrant berry burst.
Tools & glassware
If you want to mix up a strawberry lemon drop martini at home, you will need a basic bar tool set that includes these items:
- jigger for measuring ingredients
- cocktail shaker * for combining ingredients
- hawthorne strainer * for pouring
- sharp knife for making a lemon twist
- a small plate for rimming the glass
If you want to make your own lemon sugar for the rim, you will also need a baking sheet *, some parchment paper * and a microplane zester *.
Lemon drop martinis are usually served in martini glasses * (or their stemless counterpart), but you can explore serving them in other types of glassware such as coupe glasses *.
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Ingredients
So what is in a strawberry lemon drop martini? Here’s what you’ll need:
👇 For full measurements and step-by-step instructions, scroll down to the printable recipe card. It’s all there waiting for you!
- fresh lemon juice: Freshly-squeezed juice has a less sour lemon taste than the store-bought concentrate, so use it if you can or be prepared to adjust the sweetness slightly. Make sure you grab some extra lemons for the garnish.
- vodka: Vodka provides a nice blank slate in this cocktail that lets the citrus and sweetness shine. You can also substitute a flavored vodka or use gin if you prefer.
- triple sec: This clear orange liqueur adds a hint of extra citrus flavor and a little more sweetness. You can use triple sec or a top-shelf brand like Cointreau — just make sure it’s clear or it will affect the color of the cocktail.
- strawberry syrup: This is a sugary sweetener made with equal parts strawberry juice and sugar. Store extra in a mason jar in the refrigerator and use within one month.
Garnishes
The traditional lemon drop martini has two main garnishes: the lemon twist and a sugar rim, but you can always adapt it. (I didn’t do a sugar rim this time!) Here’s what you’ll need:
- lemon wedge: You’ll need a lemon wedge to moisten the rim of the martini glass so the sugar rim will stick to it. You can also dip the rim of the glass in simple syrup or lemon juice, but be careful to shake off any excess so you don’t have sticky drips on the outside of the glass.
- rim of sugar: You may certainly use plain sugar on the rim, but lemon sugar adds an extra bite of citrus zest. You can make it with regular granulated sugar and lemon zest. Strawberry sugar is made with crushed dehydrated strawberries, and it would also be delicious.
- lemon twist: This classy garnish is easy to make with a slice of fresh lemon, twisted around your finger. Here’s my guide to making the ultimate lemon twist garnish with complete instructions.
- strawberries: Since this is a strawberry lemon drop, a strawberry garnish is apt! Halve one and pierce it with a cocktail pick, let a slice float on top or slit the bottom and perch it on the rim.
Best vodka for Lemon Drops
As with any cocktail that has a short ingredient list, quality always matters. Use the best alcohol you can afford! My go-to vodka brands right now are Tito’s, Deep Eddy, Reyka and Absolut.
A bottom-shelf vodka can taste cheap and stand out in your drink — and not in a great way — so stick to the $15-20 range if you can!
Don’t miss Vodka 101 where you can learn more about which bottles to buy.
Substitutions & variations
The Lemon Drop is a great cocktail to experiment with and change up the flavors by swapping out ingredients. Here is some inspiration:
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No strawberry syrup? You can use plain simple syrup and a strawberry vodka, if you prefer!
Classic Lemon Drop: Nothing wrong with a classic! Use plain simple syrup instead of strawberry for a delightfully zesty cocktail.
Strawberry Lemon Drop Mocktail: Instead of vodka, use a zero-proof spirit like Seedlip Grove 42 *. For the triple sec, use a zero-proof orange liqueur like Lyre’s Orange Sec or orange juice.
Blueberry Lemon Drop Martini: Use blueberry simple syrup instead of plain for a delicious berry flavor.
Strawberry Lemon Drop Shots: Divide the cocktail into a few shot glasses * for a fun party treat.
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Instructions
Making a homemade strawberry lemon drop is quick and simple — let’s get started! First we have to make strawberry syrup.
Wash the fruit. Hull strawberries to remove stems, then quarter them. In a medium saucepan, bring water and strawberries to a boil. Lower the heat and bring to a simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat.
Pour through a fine mesh strainer * to strain the hot liquid into a bowl or jar. Discard the solids (or save them to add to your morning smoothie or yogurt).
While still warm, add sugar to the strawberry mixture and stir until sugar dissolves. Let cool to room temperature. You can make your strawberry syrup ahead of time, and store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
In a cocktail shaker * filled with ice, add vodka, triple sec, strawberry syrup and lemon juice. Shake well. Strain into a cocktail glass.
Garnish with half a strawberry and a thin piece of lemon zest, twisted.
Extra strawberry syrup? Use it to make a strawberry martini or a strawberry margarita on the rocks. Or stir it into iced tea!
Tips & tricks
Here are some tips and tricks for making this recipe:
- Chill martini glasses * in the freezer for an hour beforehand for an extra refreshing experience.
- Shake the cocktail vigorously with ice to properly chill and dilute the drink.
- Rim the glass with sugar — or use lemon sugar for a sweet and tangy addition.
- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor.
Food pairings
Lemon drops are a great bar drink, so enjoy them with your favorite bar snacks, like chicken wings or mozzarella sticks.
You could also enjoy them with anything citrusy, like lemon drop cookies (with a vodka glaze!) or a platter of lemon bars.
FAQ
Triple sec is an orange liqueur, so you can substitute another orange liqueur. Cointreau is clear like triple sec, so it’s the best substitute, but you could also use another orange liqueur like Grand Marnier, but it will affect the light lemony color.
Definitely! Instead of vodka, use a zero-proof spirit like Seedlip Grove 42. For the triple sec, use a zero-proof orange liqueur like Lyre’s Orange Sec or orange juice. You can also omit the alcohol altogether.
Yes! This is an easy recipe to make ahead of time. Double or triple the strawberry syrup (or buy it) and then scale the recipe as you need to. Use the +/- buttons at the top of the recipe card below to adjust the amounts for the number of servings you need.
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Strawberry Lemon Drop
ingredients
Strawberry Syrup
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup strawberries
- ½ cup sugar
Strawberry Lemon Drop
- 1½ ounces vodka
- ½ ounce triple sec
- 1 ounce strawberry syrup
- 1 ounce lemon juice
- 1 strawberry halved, for garnish
- 1 lemon twist for garnish
instructions
Strawberry Syrup
- Wash the fruit. Hull strawberries to remove stems, then quarter them. (See Notes section below for tips on using frozen strawberries.)
- In a medium saucepan, bring water and strawberries to a boil. Lower the heat and bring to a simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Pour through a fine mesh strainer * to strain the hot liquid into a bowl or jar. Discard solids.
- While still warm, add sugar to the strawberry mixture and stir until sugar dissolves.
- Let cool to room temperature. Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
Strawberry Lemon Drop
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add vodka, triple sec, strawberry syrup and lemon juice. Shake well.
- Strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with half a strawberry and a piece of lemon zest, twisted.
notes
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