The Lemon Drop Martini was invented sometime in the 1970s by Norman Jay Hobday. He was the founder and proprietor of Henry Africa’s, a fern bar in the Russian Hill neighbourhood of San Francisco, California that opened in 1969.

The Lemon Drop Martini was most likely named after lemon drop candy. After its invention, the drink swiftly spread to many San Francisco saloons.

Some variations like blueberries and raspberries can also make a great drink.