Lemon juice, vodka, and orange liqueur make the most refreshing lemon drop martini.

(More on that below.)

Serve with refreshing appetizers like hummus or bruschetta for an easy and low-list party.

Southern Living Lemon Drop Martini in glasses to serve

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Learn how to make a lemon drop martini.

This may soon be your signature cocktail.

Store, tightly covered, in the refrigerator for a day, or in the freezer for a week.

Southern Living Lemon Drop Martini ingredients

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Our Favorite Martini Recipes

Happy hour is the right time to try out even more great cocktails.

(1 1/2 oz.

(1 1/2 oz.

Southern Living Lemon Drop Martini rimming the glass

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

)freshly squeezed lemon juice(from 1 large)

2Tbsp.

)orange liqueur(such as Cointreau)

2Tbsp.

Run lemon wedge around rim of glass, then dip in sugar.

Southern Living Lemon Drop Martini glass prepared and ready to chill

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Place glass in freezer to chill while preparing the drink.

Combine ingredients:

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.

Add vodka, lemon juice, orange liqueur, and simple syrup to the shaker.

Southern Living Lemon Drop Martini adding the cocktail ingredients to the shaker

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Shake cocktail:

Close shaker and shake vigorously 30 seconds or until very chilled.

Strain cocktail:

Strain cocktail into prepared glass, garnish with a lemon wheel, if using.

Southern Living Lemon Drop Martini shaking the cocktail

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Lemon Drop Martini straining into the prepared glass

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox