Best Basil Lemon Drop Vodka Martini Cocktail Recipe

This easy Basil Lemon Drop Martini is a tasty and refreshing cocktial with zesty lemon, herbaceous basil, vodka and elderflower liqueur for an unforgettable delicious twist on the classic Lemon Drop Martini! 

The pitcher recipe for parties is in the recipe card notes at the bottom of this post.

Well, I think I found my favorite new drink! The flavors in the this drink are “I can’t stop sipping it” delicious!

If you love basil and a classic Lemon Drop Martini, which have become very popular, you’re sure to find this cocktail irresistible! It has a little more flavor than a plain lemon martini. 

It’s made with fresh lemon juice, muddled basil leaves, vodka, elderflower liqueur and simple syrup. Fresh ingredients make this drink incredible. It’s a great way to use up homemade basil.

It’s similar to a Lemon Drop Martini with the addition of fresh, sweet basil and elderflower liqueur which make it over-the-top delicious! This wonderful cocktail can be enjoyed all year long, but in particular is refreshing in the warm summer months.

The classic Lemon Drop Martini has been an all time favorite of mine for many years way before they became popular. Adding sweet basil, one of my favorite herbs, and floral elderflower liqueur could only make it better.

What kind of vodka to use

If you have citron vodka, I suggest using it to make this drink, but if you don’t, use regular vodka. Next time you go to the liquor store, pick up a bottle of citron vodka for other lemon-based cocktails.

Use fresh lemon juice

Use fresh lemons for this lemon basil cocktail. You will surely taste the diffrence from bottled lemon juice. It will add freshness you can’t get out of a bottle. 

Elderflower Liqueur

Elderflower liqueur is made from th small white flower blossoms of the elderberry shrub. It’s sweet and floral. St. Germain is the most famous French brand made with hand-picked wild blossoms and is a bit pricy although it adds floral notes and great flavor to this drink.

I use it to make my very popular Winter White Cosmo Bonefish Grill copycat recipe.

I’ve included an elderflower syrup substitute below which adds the flavor without the added cost.

Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links which means, if you make a purchase, I’ll receive a small commission but, the price you pay is the same. 

Ingredients

The full, printable recipe and pitcher recipe is in the recipe card in the bottom of this post where you can adjust the servings.

• vodka (citron vodka or regular)
• elderflower liqueur (you can substitute elderflower syrup)
• lemon (for fresh lemon juice, sugar rim and lemon twist for garnish)
• fresh basil leaves (more basil for garnish)
• ice cubes
• simple syrup
• sugar (for sugar rim) 

Summary Instructions

TIP: I suggest chilling a martini glass for one hour in your freezer to get the cool, frosty look.

The pitcher recipe is in the notes section of the recipe card below.

First, make the sugar rim: put 2 tbsp of white sugar or sugar crystals on a small plate. Cut lemon wedge and put it around the rim of the martini glass to wet it. Then, swirl the martini glass rim into the sugar to make the sugar rim.

Then, make a lemon twist garnish if desired. Squeeze lemon juice from lemon and remove seeds. 

Next, muddle basil leaves in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. 

Then, add ice cubes, vodka, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice and simple syrup. Shake for 30 seconds and pour into the martini glass. Add the lemon twist and/or a small basil sprig to the glass.

Storage

You can make this easy cocktail ahead for parties and store it in a closed pitcher. The pitcher recipe is in the recipe notes.

Pro Tips

• Use citron vodka if you can, but regular vodka will work well too. Top shelf vodka will taste best.
• St. Germain elderflower liqueur is pricy but, it will make the best tasting drink! Using elderflower syrup is the next best thing if you want to save money.
• Use fresh lemon juice instead of bottled lemon juice.
• Put the martini glass in the freezer for 30 minutes to chill or one hour for the frosty look.
• If you don’t have bottled simple syrup, add 2 tbsp of water and 2 tbsp of sugar to microwave safe bowl and heat for 20 seconds and stir well. Let it cool before adding it to the cocktail shaker.

This Basil Lemon Drop Martini will likely become one of your favorite cocktails, especially in the summer when lemon-based cocktails are refreshingly enticing. So, save it to your list of cocktail recipes.

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