A lemon drop martini is an alcoholic beverage usually made primarily from vodka, triple sec, lemon juice, and sugar. This beverage is very sweet yet slightly sour, and generally does not have a strong taste of liquor. The recipe originated in California during the 1970s, and is still a very popular drink in the western part of the United States.

This cocktail was first served at a single's bar called Henry Africa's. During the 1970s, the establishment was located in San Francisco. This bar was famous, in its day, for serving very sweet alcoholic beverages in order to attract female customers. Although the club is no longer open, patrons who sampled this martini during the club's heyday helped to tell others about the concoction, causing it to remain a popular drink in the region, even after the tavern's demise.

A basic lemon drop martini recipe typically uses 1 and 1/2 cups (.35 l) of vodka, along with 1/2 cup (.12 l) of triple sec. Most bartenders recommend using a good-quality vodka rather than a generic or unknown brand. Any type of orange liquor may be substituted for the triple sec, so this ingredient is mainly a matter of personal preference.

Granulated sugar is not recommended for making a lemon drop martini. Most recipes for this cocktail ask for a super-fine, or confectioner's, sugar, which is dissolves almost instantly in liquids. This is used not only in the drink itself, but is placed on the rim of the martini glass to give the drink a little extra sweetness. If preferred, a simple syrup made from boiling water and granulated sugar can be made to use in making the martini.

Freshly-squeezed lemon juice is commonly used in making this cocktail. If fresh lemons are not available, it can usually be made with bottled lemon juice. Lemon peel or a slice of lemon can also be added to the finished drink, for garnish, if desired. A lemon drop martini may look like lemonade, and will likely have a fresh, lemony smell to it as well.

This alcoholic drink can have a high concentration of alcohol due to the fact that it is normally made with two different types of liquor. The cocktail's naturally sweet taste can sometimes cause drinkers to consume these beverages faster than normal. For this reason, some people may also be inclined to have more drinks than they are normally accustomed to. To insure public safety and obey laws regarding driving while intoxicated, a designated driver should be appointed whenever someone over-indulges in these martinis.