Same family as the Lemon Drop, different personality. Berry and orange liqueurs take over part of the sweetening, adding fruit, color, and a little more depth.
Ingredients
- 2 oz citron vodka
- 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 oz black cherry simple syrup or Chambord
- 1/2 oz orange liqueur
- Ice
Method
- Add everything to a shaker with ice.
- Shake hard for 10 to 15 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled martini glass.
Why it works
It is still a sour, but notice the lemon went up from 1/2 oz to 3/4 oz. That is because the liqueurs add sweetness too, and the extra citrus keeps the drink in balance.
Swaps and notes
- Syrup or Chambord? Black cherry syrup gives true cherry flavor with no extra alcohol. Chambord is actually black raspberry, so that version tastes more like raspberry. Both look wonderfully dark.
- Any orange liqueur works. Triple sec is sweeter; Cointreau is drier and stronger. See Liqueurs.
- Contains: citrus.
How strong is it?
About 1.7 to 1.9 standard drinks as a full cocktail, depending on whether you use syrup or Chambord. Split four ways, about 0.4 to 0.5 each.
Compare it with the Black Lemon Drop Martini. Served at our Halloween Kickoff.