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Toshi's Table » Recipes » Drinks

The Best Lemon Basil Vodka Martini

Modified: Sep 1, 2024 · Published: Aug 23, 2023 by Emily Toshiko · This post may contain affiliate links · 7 Comments

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This lemon basil vodka martini is a bright, refreshing cocktail perfect for warm summer days. The herbaceous basil brilliantly compliments the zesty lemon for a fresh twist on a classic cocktail!

A lemon basil vodka martini on a wooden coaster garnished with fresh basil and a lemon wheel.

Lemon basil cocktails are popular during the warmer summer months when the ingredients are in season. This cocktail is also known as a basil lemon drop martini. The lemon drop martini is named after the popular lemon drop candy! The classic ingredients include lemon juice, simple syrup and vodka.

This basil lemon drop variation was inspired by my blueberry lemon drop martini! It pairs well with summer squash pasta or grilled eggplant sandwiches! I love herbaceous cocktails and basil is such a fresh summery flavor!

Jump to:
  • Why You'll Love This Recipe
  • Equipment Notes
  • Ingredient Notes
  • Substitutions & Variations
  • Step by Step Instructions
  • Storage
  • Top tip
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • More Summer Cocktails
  • Did you try this recipe?
  • The Best Lemon Basil Vodka Martini

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • You only need 4 simple ingredients: lemons, basil, simple syrup and vodka.
  • The fresh and zingy flavors balance each other perfectly. This summer cocktail is perfect for sipping during a dinner party or a backyard bbq.
  • Lemon basil vodka martini's are made without vermouth for a simpler martini variation.

Equipment Notes

Cocktail equipment including a muddler, jigger, citrus juicer and cocktail shaker.

I recommend having a cocktail shaker, muddler, jigger (or liquid measuring cup), citrus juicer and martini/coupe glasses. I have this bartender kit and use it for all of my cocktail recipes. If you don't have these tools, no worries! Simply use a mason jar with a lid in place of a cocktail shaker and a wooden spoon in place of a muddler.

Ingredient Notes

A bottle of Tito's vodka, two lemons, a jar of simple syrup and four basil leaves.
  • Vodka - I like to use Tito's or Reyka vodka. Feel free to swap in gin if you prefer!
  • Lemon juice - use freshly squeezed lemon juice rather than the bottled stuff.
  • Simple syrup - buy your own or make this easy microwave simple syrup! You only need sugar and water.
  • Fresh basil - you will need 3-4 fresh basil leaves for the best flavor.
  • Ice - make sure to have a handful of ice ready to use!

See recipe card for quantities.

Substitutions & Variations

  • Gin martini - swap in gin instead of vodka! This will add to the herbal flavor of the cocktail.
  • Vodka spritzer - for a lighter spritz, pour the martini mix over ice in a tall glass. Add 4 oz of club soda, stir and enjoy!
  • Basil - use any variation of basil such as Thai basil or lemon basil.
  • Mint - can't find basil? Try using fresh mint leaves instead!
  • Cucumber - muddle a few slices of cucumber with the basil leaves. You can also used cucumber infused vodka!
  • Spicy - muddle a couple jalapeño slices with the fresh basil leaves.
  • Sugar rim - coat the rim of your glass with sugar for a sweeter sip!

Step by Step Instructions

Basil and simple syrup being muddled in a clear cocktail shaker.

Add the basil leaves, simple syrup and lemon juice to a cocktail shaker. Muddle the basil leaves until they are bruised and their juices have released.

A clear cocktail shaker with fresh basil, lemon juice, ice, vodka and simple syrup.

Add a handful of ice and the vodka to the cocktail shaker.

A clear cocktail shaker after being shaken with muddle basil, lemon juice, vodka and ice.

Shake well for 15-20 seconds or until chilled.

A lemon drop basil martini being poured into a coupe glass from a cocktail shaker.

Pour into a chilled coupe or martini glass. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and a lemon wheel. Enjoy!

Hint: I like to save a few smaller leaves of basil and a few lemon wheels to garnish the glasses. When you bring the cocktail up to your mouth to take a sip you will smell the additional garnishes which will add to the experience!

A lemon drop basil martini on a wooden coaster with a bottle of Tito's vodka in the background garnished with basil and lemons.

Storage

I recommend making basil lemon cocktails the same day as serving. You can make them a few hours ahead of time if necessary. Store them in the fridge and stir well before serving!

Top tip

Please use fresh lemons for this recipe. Do not use the bottled lemon juice from a shelf. Fresh squeezed lemon juice tastes much better and will perfectly balance this cocktail. It will NOT taste the same if you use bottled lemon juice.

A basil lemon drop martini on a wooden coaster with a blue scarf and a plate of juiced lemons.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make a lemon basil martini?

You will need fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, fresh basil leaves, vodka or gin and ice! Muddle the basil with the simple syrup and lemon juice. Combine all ingredients, shake until chilled and serve in a chilled martini glass.

How should I serve a basil lemon drop martini?

Serve lemon basil cocktails in a chilled martini glasses or coupe glasses. Do NOT serve it over ice because the ice will water down the drink. Simply pour it into the chilled glasses and garnish with a lemon wheel and fresh basil leaves.

More Summer Cocktails

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

  • Watermelon basil margarita in a glass with a watermelon slice garnish.
    The BEST Watermelon Basil Margarita
  • A purple gin collins in a skinny glass garnished with lemon wheels and a bottle of gin and flowers behind it.
    Lavender Collins
  • Blueberry lemon drop martinis in martini glasses
    Blueberry Lemon Drop Martini
  • Tall glass of lavender vodka lemonade garnished with a lemon wheel on a wooden coaster with purple flowers around.
    Lavender Vodka Lemonade

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A lemon basil vodka martini in a coupe glass on a wooden coaster garnished with lemon and basil.

The Best Lemon Basil Vodka Martini

Emily Toshiko
This lemon basil vodka martini is a bright, refreshing cocktail perfect for warm summer days. The herbaceous basil brilliantly compliments the zesty lemon for a fresh twist on a classic cocktail! 
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 5 minutes mins
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Servings 1 Cocktail
Calories 247 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 ½ oz vodka
  • 1 oz lemon juice fresh squeezed
  • 1 oz simple syrup
  • 3-4 basil leaves
  • ice
  • Sliced lemon wheels for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Add the basil leaves, simple syrup and lemon juice to a cocktail shaker.
  • Muddle the basil leaves until they are very bruised and torn. It should smell like basil.
  • Add a handful of ice to the cocktail shaker along with the vodka.
  • Shake well for 15-20 seconds until chilled.
  • Strain the cocktail into a chilled martini or coupe glass. Garnish with a lemon wheel and a basil leaf. Enjoy!

Notes

  • If you don't have a cocktail shaker simply use a a mason with with a lid!
  • You can use a wooden spoon to muddle the basil if you don't have a cocktail muddler.
  • Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best taste. Bottled lemon juice does not work for this drink. 
Serving: 1drinkCalories: 247kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 0.1gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.01gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 17mgPotassium: 51mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 21gVitamin A: 65IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 8mgIron: 1mg

The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.

Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below and tag @toshistable on social!

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Comments

  1. chris says

    December 12, 2024 at 6:24 pm

    FYI: You don't have to muddle basil leaves to release their juices. Muddling is what causes those green pieces of leaf to float around in your drink. Just give the leaves a good slap between your palms.

    Reply
    • Emily Toshiko says

      December 13, 2024 at 3:52 pm

      Thanks for the tip! I will try this in the future to see how it compares.

      Reply
  2. K. Buckland says

    October 30, 2024 at 5:42 pm

    I tried this recipe with my Thai Basil simple syrup and it was fabulous. I simply mixed the lemon juice and 1 1/2 Oz Thai simple syrup with vodka and garnish with lemon slice and a basil leaf.

    Reply
    • Emily Toshiko says

      November 01, 2024 at 8:11 am

      Yum! I'm so happy you enjoyed it! I love the use of your Thai Basil simple syrup, what a great addition!

      Reply
  3. Cathy says

    May 31, 2024 at 4:48 pm

    Wow! This looks so refreshing!! I can't wait to try it!

    Reply
    • Emily Toshiko says

      June 02, 2024 at 10:14 am

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  4. Em says

    May 03, 2024 at 7:14 am

    5 stars
    This is so light and refreshing!

    Reply

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Emily Toshiko Brackett from Toshi's Table standing in the kitchen holding a glass of red wine.

Hi, I'm Emily!

Welcome to my table! I enjoy creating colorful, tasty recipes that inspire you to eat more veggies. While I don't claim to be vegan or vegetarian, I find that I feel my best when eating a plant forward diet. Give one of these recipes a try, I dare you!

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