Limoncello Martini (Ice-Cold Lemon Drop Martini)

A Limoncello Martini should taste like lemon first and sugar second. This limoncello lemon drop martini uses equal parts limoncello and vodka, so it’s punchy and bright instead of syrupy, with fresh lemon juice keeping every sip sharp. Shake it until the shaker is too cold to hold, strain it, and top it with a lemon twist. It takes five minutes, and it’s what I pour for girls night in.

Limoncello is the backbone of this drink, so I make my own. Lemon peel steeps in vodka for two to four weeks before I stir in homemade simple syrup, and a few more weeks of rest makes it even smoother. Because the bottle lives in my freezer, it goes into the shaker already cold, and the martini stays icy to the last sip. Hosting girls night? Start with my Limoncello Spritz for something lighter, then keep a Dry Dirty Martini or Creamy Espresso Martini in your back pocket for the guests who want something else.

Ingredients

Taste your limoncello before you pour anything else. Sweetness varies a lot from bottle to bottle, and mine isn’t very sweet, so I always add a little simple syrup to round things out. If yours runs sweeter, start with a splash of syrup or skip it. Squeeze the lemon juice fresh, since it’s what keeps this martini sharp. Skip the sugar rim and use a lemon twist, which adds aroma without making a punchy drink sweeter.

Testing Notes

Equal parts limoncello and vodka is my ratio, and it’s what makes this drink punchy. My homemade limoncello isn’t very sweet, so a little simple syrup always goes in, and tasting your limoncello first tells you how much yours needs. I shake until the shaker is too cold to hold instead of counting seconds, and I keep the limoncello in the freezer so the drink starts cold. When I have room in my freezer, I chill the martini glass too.

How to Make a Limoncello Martini