I’m a huge seafood fan, so Bonefish Grill is regularly on my list of places to dine out. Last time I was there, I hit up happy hour and tried their blueberry lemon drop and loved it! So, naturally, I set about creating my own blueberry lemon drop martini so I can have one at home anytime!
What’s in a Lemon Drop Martini?
A lemon drop martini is a classic cocktail featuring a vodka base, with triple sec (or another orange liqueur), fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup for sweetness. If this sounds good to you, then check out my classic Lemon Drop Martini recipe.
Of course, that’s just the base recipe, and there are other flavor variations like this blueberry lemon drop, peach lemon drop, or my pomegranate lemon drop martini which is one of my favorite fall and winter cocktails.
What’s the Bonefish Grill version of a blueberry lemon drop? Well, they put a slight spin on the classic cocktail recipe by using citron (lemon) flavored vodka, fresh blueberry puree, and sour mix which handles the sweet and sour all in one. So, let’s dive in!
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Bonefish Blueberry Lemon Drop Ingredients
- 2 ounces Absolut citron vodka
- 2 ounces prepared sour mix
- 2 ounces fresh blueberry puree (about ½ cup fresh blueberries + 1 Tbsp water)
For the Rim
- Lemon wedge
- Sugar (1-2 Tbsp)
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- You can use another brand of citron vodka if needed, but Bonefish uses Absolut, so the flavor can change slightly
- If you don’t have sour mix, you can do a 50/50 mixture of fresh lemon and/or lime juice to simple syrup
- You can buy prepared blueberry puree, but I usually just make my own since it’s pretty simple!
- For a more traditional martini, you can add ½ ounce of triple sec and only 1 ½ ounces of vodka, but that will change the flavor and not be a Bonefish dupe (but still delicious)!
How to Make a Blueberry Lemon Drop Martini
- Wash your blueberries and discard any rotten berries and stems
- Place 1 cup of blueberries and 2 Tbsp of water into a blender or food processor
- Blend on high until a smooth consistency is reached (there should be no large chunks). You can add a little extra water if needed if it seems too gummy
- Run the puree through a fine mesh strainer to catch any larger particles (optional, only if you don’t want fruit chunks in your drink)
- To rim your glass, run a fresh lemon wedge around the outside rim. Dip the wet edge into a plate or shallow bowl with granulated sugar on it, and turn until the glass is coated
- Add the blueberry puree, vodka, and sour mix to a cocktail shaker along with a few ice cubes
- Shake until well blended, slightly frothy, and chilled, about 20-30 seconds, then strain into a chilled martini glass (or similar)
- Garnish with a slice of lemon or some fresh blueberries on a skewer (optional) and enjoy!
- Blueberry French 75
- Blueberry Tequila Smash
You can use leftover blueberry puree to make any of these great blueberry cocktails if you’d like!
Recipe FAQs
What Is a Blueberry Lemon Drop Martini?
A blueberry lemon drop martini is a refreshing cocktail made with vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, and fresh blueberries. It’s a fruity twist on the classic lemon drop martini.
The Bonefish Grill version uses sour mix instead of the lemon juice and simple syrup for convenience.
Can I Use Frozen Blueberries for a Blueberry Lemon Drop Martini?
Yes, you can use frozen blueberries if fresh ones are not available.
Thaw them slightly before muddling or pureeing to release their juices more easily.
What Type of Vodka Is Best for a Blueberry Lemon Drop Martini?
A high-quality, smooth vodka is best for a blueberry lemon drop martini.
You can also use a citrus-flavored vodka to enhance the lemon flavor, which is what Bonefish Grill does by using Absolut citron.
How Do I Make Simple Syrup for the Martini?
If you want to forgo using sour mix, you can make your own simple syrup by combining equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan. Heat until the sugar dissolves completely, then let it cool.
Store in the refrigerator for up to a month.
Can I Make a Non-Alcoholic Version of a Blueberry Lemon Drop Martini?
Yes, you can make a non-alcoholic mocktail version by substituting the vodka with lemonade or a lemon-flavored sparkling water.
Adjust the sweetness levels with simple syrup or lemon juice to taste.
How Should I Serve a Blueberry Lemon Drop Martini?
Serve a blueberry lemon drop martini in a chilled martini glass. For a decorative touch, rim the glass with sugar, as is traditional at Bonefish Grill.
Feel free to garnish with a lemon twist or slice, or a few whole blueberries as well.
How Do I Balance the Sweetness and Tartness in a Blueberry Lemon Drop Martini?
To add sweetness, you can add more blueberries, or add in some simple syrup to raise sweetness levels.
For a more tart martini, add more sour mix, or fresh lemon juice if you don’t want the additional sugar in the sour mix.
Tips For Making the Best Blueberry Lemon Drop Martini
- You can add some frozen blueberries to your glass in lieu of chilling the glasses. They’ll add color and flavor, while keeping your drink chilled with minimal dilution
- As written, this drink is on the lower end strength-wise. If you prefer a stronger drink, add more vodka to taste
- To adjust sweetness levels, add some simple syrup, honey, or agave for additional sweetness, or add fresh lemon juice to add more tartness. As is, it’s pretty well balanced between sweet and sour (though a lot depends on your blueberries and how sweet they are, as fruit can vary a lot naturally)
Blueberry Martini Storage and Presentation Tips
- While martini glasses are the most common for presentation, a coupe is the next best option, and a white wine glass or highball glass will work in a pinch!
- Due to the fresh fruit, a blueberry lemon drop martini is best enjoyed fresh. However, you can mix it up to 24 hours in advance for entertaining. Feel free to scale for multiple servings and store in a pitcher in the refrigerator until needed. Then, rim your glasses, stir and pour, and garnish and enjoy!
- Blackberry Martini
- Blood Orange Martini
- Midori Melon Martini
Final Thoughts
This blueberry lemon drop martini is an easy recipe that’s a copycat of the Bonefish Grill social hour special. Fresh blueberry puree mixes with lemony vodka and a kiss of sweet and sour to make a delicious cocktail option.
Of course, you can also make it more traditional and add triple sec, use lemon juice and simple syrup instead of mix, or even change up your vodka types to really make it your own. That’s one advantage you have to making it at home instead of the restaurant!
Either way, it’s a refreshing drink that’s perfect for spring and summer when fresh blueberries are plentiful and zesty lemon is everywhere. Serve these martinis up at your next brunch, backyard barbecue, poolside, and more!
Katie’s tip
For another refreshing drink that uses citron vodka, check out my Spring Spritzer Cocktail!
Easy Blueberry Lemon Drop Martini (Bonefish Copycat)
Equipment
- Blender (or food processor)
- Fine mesh strainer (optional)
- Shaker (or similar)
- Martini glass (or similar)
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Absolut citron vodka
- 2 ounces prepared sour mix
- 2 ounces blueberry puree (from ½ cup fresh blueberries + 1 Tbsp water)
For the Rim
- 1 lemon wedge
- 1 Tbsp granulated sugar (amount approximate)
Instructions
- Wash your blueberries and discard any rotten berries and stems
- Place 1 cup of blueberries and 2 Tbsp of water into a blender or food processor
- Blend on high until a smooth consistency is reached (there should be no large chunks). You can add a little extra water if needed if it seems too gummy
- Run the puree through a fine mesh strainer to catch any larger particles (optional, only if you don’t want fruit chunks in your drink)
- To rim your glass, run a fresh lemon wedge around the outside rim. Dip the wet edge into a plate or shallow bowl with granulated sugar on it, and turn until the glass is coated1 lemon wedge, 1 Tbsp granulated sugar
- Add the blueberry puree, vodka, and sour mix to a cocktail shaker along with a few ice cubes2 ounces Absolut citron vodka, 2 ounces blueberry puree, 2 ounces prepared sour mix
- Shake until well blended, slightly frothy, and chilled, about 20-30 seconds, then strain into a chilled martini glass (or similar)
- Garnish with a slice of lemon or some fresh blueberries on a skewer (optional) and enjoy!
Notes
- You can use another brand of citron vodka if needed, but Bonefish uses Absolut, so the flavor may change slightly
- If you don’t have sour mix, you can do a 50/50 mixture of fresh lemon and/or lime juice to simple syrup
- You can buy prepared blueberry puree, but I usually just make my own since it’s pretty simple!
- For a more traditional martini, you can add ½ ounce of triple sec and only 1 ½ ounces of vodka, but that will change the flavor and not be a Bonefish dupe (but still delicious)!
- You can add some frozen blueberries to your glass in lieu of chilling the glasses. They’ll add color and flavor, while keeping your drink chilled with minimal dilution
- As written, this drink is on the lower end strength-wise. If you prefer a stronger drink, add more vodka to taste
- To adjust sweetness levels, add some simple syrup, honey, or agave for additional sweetness, or add fresh lemon juice to add more tartness. As is, it’s pretty well balanced between sweet and sour (though a lot depends on your blueberries and how sweet they are, as fruit can vary a lot naturally)
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand of ingredients, any garnishes added, and actual quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
wow! It looks super fresh and thirst quenching too! I love this recipe of yours and can’t wait to try it
Thanks for sharing
Bonefish Grill was on to something grabbing this flavor combination!
This turned out so good, I love everything lemon an blueberry, such a relaxing vodka drink.
I do love lemon drops! So many versatile flavor combinations with the drink!