Vodka and Cointreau shaken with fresh lemon juice, then strained into a sugar-rimmed cocktail glass, make the Lemon Drop, also known as the Lemon Drop Martini. The sugar rim turns each sip toward candy while the tart lemon interior keeps it balanced, a contrast that helped make the drink one of the signatures of the 1990s cocktail revival. At roughly 30 percent ABV, it is brisk and citrus-driven, recognized by the IBA among its New Era cocktails. Its enduring popularity owes much to that simple sweet-and-sour interplay and the playful theater of the sugared rim.
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Lemon Drop
Lemon Drop Martini
材料
手順
Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass rimmed with sugar.
レモンドロップはウォッカ、コアントロー、フレッシュレモンジュースを砂糖でリミングしたカクテルグラスに入れた活気のあるカクテルで、甘さと柑橘のバランスが1990年代のカクテルブームを定義する一杯の一つとなりました。砂糖リムは各口をキャンディのような体験に変え、酸っぱいレモンの内部と対比します。継続的なグローバルな魅力を持つIBAニューエラドリンクです。
History & Origins
The Lemon Drop was created by Norman Jay Hobday, founder of Henry Africa's bar in San Francisco, in the 1970s as one of the first sweet, candy-inspired cocktails. It gained explosive popularity in American bars throughout the 1990s as part of the cosmopolitan-style fruit martini trend and was eventually formalized by the IBA as a New Era cocktail. It remains a staple of cocktail menus worldwide.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: Bright fresh lemon citrus and orange peel from the Cointreau, with a clean vodka spirit note. Palate: Vibrant and sweet-tart — fresh lemon's acidity plays against Cointreau's orange sweetness and vodka's neutral warmth, with the sugared rim adding a candy sweetness to each sip. Finish: Crisp and citrusy, with Cointreau's orange and a clean vodka warmth lingering.
Pro Tip
Use freshly squeezed lemon juice and refrigerate the glass before rimming with superfine sugar — a wet rim will cause the sugar to dissolve too quickly.
使用テクニック
Frequently Asked Questions
What ingredients are in a Lemon Drop cocktail?
A Lemon Drop martini is made with vodka, freshly squeezed lemon juice, triple sec or Cointreau, and simple syrup, shaken with ice. The rim of the glass is typically coated with sugar to complement the tart citrus flavors. Fresh lemon juice is essential to achieving the bright, clean flavor the drink is known for.
What glass is a Lemon Drop served in?
The Lemon Drop is served in a chilled martini or coupe glass with a sugared rim. It is shaken vigorously with ice and strained into the glass to achieve a cold, frothy texture without ice chips. A twist of lemon peel is the classic garnish.
What is the origin of the Lemon Drop cocktail?
The Lemon Drop is believed to have been created in the 1970s at Henry Africa's bar in San Francisco. It became widely popular in the 1990s during the vodka martini trend, appearing on cocktail menus across the United States. Its sweet-tart profile made it a gateway cocktail for many new drinkers.
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