The story of the Lemon Drop Martini (we’ll get back to that “Martini” part in a moment) is curiously intertwined with the Vietnam War. The link is in the name of its inventor: Norman Jay Hobday (1933–2011).
Is the Lemon Drop Really a Martini?
According to the International Bartenders Association (IBA), this cocktail should indeed be called the Lemon Drop Martini—likely out of respect for the idea that it’s a twist on the Vodka Martini.
But there’s another school of thought. Some believe that the addition of lemon juice moves the drink closer to a White Lady—that classic combination of gin, triple sec, and lemon juice—and therefore it should simply be called a Lemon Drop, leaving the Martini aside. The debate is ongoing, but for the sake of simplicity, let’s go with the IBA’s version.
The Story of the Lemon Drop Martini
Most sources agree on the origins of the Lemon Drop: it was born in San Francisco, sometime in the 1970s, at the hands of Norman Jay Hobday. The exact year? Unknown. The circumstances? Also unclear. What we do know is the location: the bar counter at Henry Africa’s. And here’s where the story takes a peculiar turn, involving Hobday’s alter ego—the fictional Corporal Henry Africa. Spoiler alert: this also involves a long-lost love of his mother’s.
Norman Jay Hobday: War and Reinvention
Norman Jay Hobday was born in 1933 in upstate New York, the son of dairy farmers. His life took an unexpected detour when he ended up serving in the Vietnam War—though some, less reliable, sources claim it was actually Korea. Either way, when he returned home, he was a veteran struggling to find his place in civilian life, like so many others. But fate intervened. In San Francisco, Hobday began working behind bars and quickly discovered that bartending suited him perfectly.
The Birth of Henry Africa’s
Before long, he decided to open a place of his own. He’d managed to save some money, but not enough. So he asked his mother for help. Her condition? “Fine,” she said, “but name the bar after an old flame of mine—a man who served in the French Foreign Legion. His name was Henry Africa.”
With his mother’s support, Hobday managed to pull together the funds. But a full renovation was out of the question. So he opted for a low-budget makeover: he filled the space with hanging ferns, leaded glass lamps, and what he affectionately called “grandma’s living room furniture.” In doing so—perhaps consciously, perhaps not—he created one of America’s first and most iconic fern bars.
Enter Corporal Henry Africa
Hobday didn’t stop there. He went a step further and adopted a persona: Corporal Henry Africa. He dressed in a blend of military garb and civilian clothes, performing every night for his guests, shifting between his real personality and the character he’d invented. The act became so immersive that Hobday eventually legally changed his name to Henry Africa. That’s how patrons knew him until he retired, selling Henry Africa’s and pocketing a tidy sum from its success.
The Rise of the Lemon Drop Martini
Back in the 1970s, Henry Africa’s and the Lemon Drop Martini both became instant hits. The bar was wildly popular—but the cocktail was even more so. It quickly spread across the United States, eventually hopping the Pacific to win fans in places like Bangkok.
Through the 1980s and early ’90s, the Lemon Drop reigned supreme. Then came the inevitable decline—not to obscurity, but to a quieter, more nostalgic status. The drink never fully disappeared. In fact, in 2006, it resurfaced on an episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show, reclaiming a little of its former fame.
Why “Lemon Drop”?
That leaves one final mystery: the name. Unfortunately, there’s no definitive answer. Some say it’s a nod to Lemon Drop candies—those sugar-dusted yellow sweets with a bright citrus bite. It’s a tempting theory, but no one knows for sure if Norman Jay Hobday actually had that in mind when he christened his cocktail.
The Lemon Drop Martini Recipe
Here’s the official IBA recipe. Notice there’s no mention of which triple sec to use—leaving the choice, and thus part of the flavor profile and alcohol content, up to the bartender. Depending on the brand, triple sec can range from 25% to 45% ABV.
Ingredients
- 30 ml vodka
- 20 ml triple sec
- 15 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
Method
Place all the ingredients in a shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously—perhaps while thinking of your mother—and strain into a pre-chilled Martini glass, just like Norman Jay Hobday originally did, and as prescribed by the IBA.
Garnish
None.
Photo by Julie Couder x Coqtail, location Dry Milano – all rights reserved
