5 incredible drinks to make with Absolut Citron 

Absolut Citron is our versatile lemon-flavored vodka, launched in 1988. It’s often credited with inspiring the Cosmopolitan, a cocktail now known around the world. The rest is cocktail history.

Made with natural flavor, Absolut Citron works in everything from classic sours and martinis to simple long drinks.

What Drinks Can You Make with Absolut Citron?

Absolut Citron’s sharp, citrusy character works in five drinks worth making: a Citrus Martini, an Absolut Citron Espresso Martini (the classic given a lemony twist), a Lemon Drop Shot, a Citron Gimlet (a vodka twist on the classic gin Gimlet), and an Absolut Negroni (a vodka twist on the classic gin Negroni).

Two of these five started life as gin classics. Let’s start with the one closest to home — a Citron spin on the classic Vodka Martini.

1. Citrus Martini

A classic Vodka Martini is traditionally garnished with a lemon twist – clean, elegant and spirit-forward. The Citrus Martini takes that lemon note and dials it all the way up.

Made with Absolut Citron, fresh lemon juice, triple sec and a touch of simple syrup, it’s sharper and more citrus-forward than the original – a Martini for anyone who likes their drinks bright and tart.

How to make a Citrus Martini:

• 30 ml Absolut Citron
• 15 ml Fresh Lemon Juice
• 15 ml Triple Sec
• 8 ml Simple Syrup
• Lemon Twist, to garnish

Shake all ingredients with ice, then fine strain into a chilled Martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.

2. Absolut Citron Espresso Martini

In southern Italy, an espresso is traditionally served with a piece of lemon zest – a small detail that changes the whole experience.

The Absolut Citron Espresso Martini takes that same idea and applies it to the Espresso Martini, a cocktail on the list of our 10 most popular cocktails, using Absolut Citron as the base.

Ingredients:

• 50 ml Absolut Citron
• 25 ml Espresso
• 25 ml Kahlúa
• 3 Coffee Beans to garnish

Ready to mix? Follow the recipe for an Absolut Espresso Martini, then simply swap original Absolut Vodka for Absolut Citron.

3. Lemon Drop Shot

The Lemon Drop Shot packs everything into one small pour – tart, sweet and exactly what a shot should be. Good things come in small packages.

A close relative of the Lemon Drop Martini, the Lemon Drop Shot combines Absolut Citron, fresh lemon juice and simple syrup, shaken and strained into a sugar-rimmed shot glass with a lemon wedge on the side.

How to make a Lemon Drop Shot:

• 20 ml Absolut Citron
• 20 ml Fresh Lemon Juice
• 10 ml Simple Syrup
• Caster Sugar for the rim
• Lemon Wedge to garnish

Rim a shot glass with caster sugar, shake the ingredients with ice, then strain into the glass. Garnish with a lemon wedge on the side.

Watch Rico show you how to make Lemon Drop Shots:

4. Citron Gimlet

The Gimlet flourished during the golden age of the cocktail and has never left – simple to make, sharp and citrusy.

Traditionally made with gin, the Citron Gimlet swaps in Absolut Citron – fresh lime juice, a hint of lime peel and a touch of simple syrup, shaken and fine strained into a chilled coupe glass.

How to make a Citron Gimlet:

• 45 ml Absolut Citron
• 22.5 ml Fresh Lime Juice
• 22.5 ml Simple Syrup
• Lime Twist, to garnish

Ready to make it? Check out our Citron Gimlet recipe.

5. Absolut Negroni

The Negroni doesn’t need an introduction, but it’s getting one anyway. Traditionally made with gin, the Absolut Negroni swaps in Absolut Citron, adding a bright lemon note that plays naturally against the bitterness of Italian bitter orange liqueur and the sweetness of the vermouth.

How to make an Absolut Negroni:

• 20 ml Absolut Citron
• 20 ml Italian Bitter Red Liqueur
• 20 ml Sweet Vermouth
• Orange Twist, to garnish

Fill a mixing glass with ice, add all ingredients and stir until ice cold and your preferred dilution is reached. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube and garnish with an orange twist.

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Looking for more drink-spriation? Explore more cocktail recipes!