Strawberry Lemon Drop

A strawberry lemon drop is my ideal Sunday afternoon cocktail. A traditional lemon drop is already a refreshing choice, but muddled ripe strawberries give the classic cocktail a perfectly pleasing pink hue and a sweetness that says summer—no matter what the weather report says.

For me, this drink is the ultimate front-porch-with-a-friend sipper, but you could easily whip up a big batch and invite the whole neighborhood. I also love that I can tweak this recipe enough to please even my high-maintenance pals who want it “a little sweeter” or “not that sweet”—I can always shake up this strawberry lemon drop martini just right.

Ingredients

• Strawberries: Fresh, ripe strawberries are best for muddling with the lemon juice to release their juices and natural sweetness.
• Lemon juice: Lemon juice provides the signature tartness that defines any lemon drop cocktail. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is always best because it keeps the drink bright and lively. You can juice a lemon without making a mess by poking a hole into the fruit with a skewer and squeezing!
• Vodka: Vodka is the clean, neutral backbone of this martini. A great brand of vodka lets the strawberry and lemon flavors shine without competing with them.
• Triple sec: Triple sec adds a subtle layer of orange flavor and a little extra sweetness. Cointreau is a favorite, but generic triple sec is a bit more budget-friendly. Only a small amount is used, so it complements the strawberry and lemon instead of overpowering them.
• Sugar: A sugared rim is a signature part of any lemon drop cocktail. You can rub a lemon wedge along the rim and dip it in sugar, or brush lemon juice along the side of the glass and dip just that section for a modern presentation.
• Lemon wheel or strawberry slices for garnish: A slice of strawberry or a twist of lemon adds a fresh colorful cocktail garnish to the finished drink. The aroma hits just as you lift the glass for a sip, hinting at the bright flavors waiting inside.

Directions

Step 1: Muddle the strawberries

Slice the fresh strawberries. Add the lemon juice and the strawberries to a glass and muddle until the berries are smashed.

Editor’s Tip: Muddling means releasing the juice from the fruit with a long, flat-ended bar tool called a muddler, which is an essential addition to your at-home bar setup. Know that the riper the berry, the juicier the crush!

Step 2: Strain the juice

Strain the lemon and strawberry juice into a separate container, making sure no seeds get through. Discard the strawberry solids.

Editor’s Tip: You may need a fine mesh strainer (called a julep strainer) instead of a Hawthorne strainer (the one with the metal coil). You can also press the muddled strawberries through a julep with the muddler for a little extra liquid.

Step 3: Combine the ingredients

Fill a shaker with ice, about 3/4 of the way full. Add the juice mixture, vodka and triple sec.

Step 4: Shake the cocktail

Give the cocktail a firm shake for 15-20 seconds, until the shaker is cold and icy on the outside.

Step 5: Sugar the rim

Swipe a lemon wedge across the rim of a martini glass or coupe, then dip the outside of the glass in white sugar.

Editor’s Tip: You can also use lemon juice in a shallow bowl and a plate of sugar if you are prepping multiple glasses. Shop for a ceramic margarita rimmer if you are really committed. You can also pop the glass into the freezer for a short bit before rimming it to guarantee the drink stays cold for longer.

Step 6: Pour and serve

Strain the cocktail into the prepared glass. Garnish with a lemon wheel or a slice of strawberry (or both!). Serve immediately.

Strawberry Lemon Drop Variations

• Sweeten it: Add 1/4 ounce to 1/2 ounce of simple syrup to take the sweetness to the next level. A traditional lemon drop usually calls for simple syrup, but with the sweetness of the strawberries here, the lemony, sour flavor is softened and the drink is often sweet enough. Adding another 1/4 ounce of triple sec could do the trick as well.
• Switch up the spirit: Try gin or tequila for more layered complexity. If you like living on the edge, sub in mezcal for the vodka for a smoky sweetness.
• Make it a slush: Use frozen strawberries and blend them with the lemon juice, vodka and triple sec, skipping the muddle and the shake. An immersion blender works great here.
• Serve it on the rocks: For a more diluted vibe, strain your cocktail over fresh ice. Or, get crazy and serve it over frozen strawberries for a sip with a snack. A Collins cocktail glass would be ideal for this.
• Trade out the juice: Create your own juice combo with fruit juices like mango, peach and pineapple in addition to lemon juice. Using juice means no muddling—just make sure your juice mixture totals about 2 ounces of liquid.
• Head to the garden: Mint or basil can be muddled with the strawberries and lemon juice for a fresh herbal note.

How to Store Strawberry Lemon Drop

Strawberry lemon drop martinis are best enjoyed freshly shaken, but you can turn them into a semi-batched cocktail if you are making drinks for a party by preparing the base one day in advance.

Simply combine the muddled strawberry lemon juice, vodka and triple sec, and store the mixture in a sealed container in the refrigerator until ready to serve. When it is time for cocktails, shake individual servings with ice and strain into your sugared glasses.

How long does strawberry lemon drop last?

A batched strawberry lemon drop mixture will keep in the refrigerator for about 24 hours. Because the drink contains fresh fruit juice, it’s best enjoyed the same day for the brightest flavor.

Strawberry Lemon Drop Tips

What type of glass should you use for a strawberry lemon drop?

A strawberry lemon drop martini is traditionally served in a martini glass or coupe glass. Both shapes help showcase the cocktail’s bright color and provide enough room for the sugared rim and garnish. If you are serving this cocktail over ice, a rocks glass or a tall Collins glass will do just fine.

Do you need to hull the strawberries for a lemon drop?

You should hull the strawberries before muddling them for the cocktail. Removing the green tops (don’t slice off the tips of the strawberries, they’re the sweetest part!) keeps the flavor clean and prevents bitter notes from getting into the drink. Hulled strawberries also break down more easily when muddled, which helps release more juice.