Limoncello Martini (Lemon Drop Martini)

Name: Limoncello Martini (Lemon Drop Martini)
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1 cup ice; 1 tsp sugar or simple syrup ((plus more for the rim)); 2 tsp lemon juice; 2 ounces vodka; 2 ounces limoncello; 1 dehydrated orange slice ((or lemon peel)); 2 mint leaves ((garnish, optional))

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The next time you entertain your friends, serve them a smooth Limoncello Martini. Similar to a Lemon Drop Martini, it's lemony, goes down smooth, and sure to impress! Whether you use my homemade Limoncello or store-bought, be sure to use a good quality vodka or my Infused-Gin. Garnish with Dehydrated Orange Slices for a beautiful presentation!

a glass of limoncello martini with alcohol bottles in the background

What Goes Into This Recipe

Why This Recipe Works

You might be more familiar with a Lemon Drop Martini, but a Limoncello Martini is even more delicious! Both drinks use vodka, simple syrup, and lemon juice, but a Limoncello Martini goes one step further, it has Limoncello! It's a beautiful and elegant drink that will definitely wow your friends!

I like to add fresh lemon juice which makes the lemon flavors pop, along with a teaspoon of sugar to balance out the flavor. But if you have Simple Syrup on hand, even better!

To mix the cocktail, use a cocktail shaker (I like this one). The cocktail shaker does a wonderful job of blending all the ingredients, as well as chilling the cocktail. Some say you should stir a martini, not shake it. But as you know James Bond preferred his martinis shaken, not stirred, so how can you argue with that?

How to Make This Recipe

Step 1

Add ice to a cocktail shaker, followed by sugar, lemon juice, vodka, and Limoncello. Cover with the lid and shake vigorously.

Step 2

Pour into a martini glass, add lemon peel or a dehydrated citrus slice and a few mint leaves as garnish. Cheers, my friends!

Recipe FAQs and Expert Tips

What is the best way to drink limoncello?

Limoncello is usually enjoyed ice cold in a shot glass, as an after dinner digestive. However, Limoncello can also be enjoyed in various mixed drinks, including this Limoncello Martini recipe.

Should limoncello be refrigerated?

Limoncello is best when stored in the freezer. Because of the alcohol content, store-bought Limoncello does not freeze.

To serve limoncello, remove from the freezer, pour into a shot glass and serve.

If you don't have dehydrated orange slices, peel a strip of lemon zest and add that to the martini glass as a garnish.
Green mint leaves look beautiful in this Limoncello Martini so consider using a few to garnish each glass.
A fun way to serve Limoncello Martini is in a martini glass rimmed with sugar. To do this, moisten the rim of a martini glass with a sliced lemon. Next, dip the rim into a saucer covered in a layer of sugar, while slowly turning the glass to cover the entire rim with sugar.

martini glass rimmed with sugar with a dehydrated orange slice in the center

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