Best Lemon Drop Shot Recipe (2024)

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Published by Izzy

on Feb 09, 2023, Updated Nov 21, 2023

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Cheers, friends!

Do you love a refreshing Lemon Drop Shot?I do. Lemon drop shots are one of my favorite drinks when I’m out and about. It’s sweet and tart withlots of lemony flavors.After years of ordering it at bars, I finally decided it’s time to learn how to make a great lemon drop shot recipe at home.

Best Lemon Drop Shot Recipe (2)

The lemon drop was invented in the 1970s by Norman Jay Hobday. It’s a vodka-based co*cktail that has a lemony, sweet, and sour flavor. Lemon drop co*cktail is a variant of the vodka martini. Originally served in a co*cktail glass, the lemon drop was named after lemon drop candy.

Lemon drop shot is a twist when the drink is served in the shot glass. It seems fancy, but the good news is that it’s really easy to make. You’ll only need 3 ingredients plus some ice cubes. The trick is selecting quality ingredients and combining them in a balanced way.

Best Lemon Drop Shot Recipe (3)

What is a lemon drop shot made of?

The best lemon drop shot has the balanced sweet and tart taste and it’s really refreshing. You’ll find my preferred ingredients in the recipe below.

Lemon juice

I recommend using freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best results. Strain to remove seeds and pulp. If you decide to use bottled lemon juice, go for pulp-free and avoid concentrate ones.

I used freshly squeezed lemon juice for this recipe, and I was really pleased with the results!

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Vodka

Vodka is a classic alcohol choice for this recipe. Higher alcohol content vodka will have a stronger taste, and works well for lemon drop co*cktail. My favorite options are Ketel One, Black Cow, and Boyd & Blair Potato vodka.

Vodka storage tip:There’s no need to refrigerate or freeze vodka whether it’s sealed or already opened.Keep it tightly closed and store in a cool dry area at room temperature.

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Sugar

You can use sugar cube or regular granulated sugar for this recipe. It helps to balance out the tart flavor from the lemon juice. You’ll need to mix the sugar in the drink. In addition, a classic lemon drop is served in a shot glass with sugar on the rim.

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How to make the best lemon drop shot

Lemon drop shot is so easy to make with a few simple steps:

  1. Wet the rim the shot glass and dip in sugar to coat the rim.
  2. Gather the ingredients and fill a stainless steel shaker with ice.
  3. Add lemon juice, vodka and sugar into the shaker.
  4. Shake about 10 times or until sugar has dissolved.
  5. Pour into the shot glass.

Serve and enjoy! You can suck on lemon wedges between sips.

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Lemon drop shot with limoncello

Limoncello is an Italian lemon liqueur that’s smooth and sweet with an intense lemon flavor. It compliments lemon drop very well, and you can add it into your shot for some extra lemon flavor. Keep vodka and limoncello ratio around 2:1 for a balanced taste.

Variations

There are many variations to this classic shot and here are some popular ideas:

  • Blueberry lemon drop shot: Add muddled blueberries to the mix.
  • Raspberry lemon drop shot: Add pureed or crushed raspberries.
  • Add food coloring to the sugar for some colorful look.

What’s the alcohol content in lemon drop shot?

The classic ratio of vodka to lemon juice is between 2:1 and 4:1, but you can adjust the alcohol content based on your personal preference. Other alcohol choices that you can add to the drink include cointreau or triple sec.

Do you chill lemon drop shot?

Lemon drop shot tastes best when it’s chilled. Usually the ice cubes are added to chill the drink.

Looking for more drink recipes?

  • Mimosa
  • Roy Rogers Drink
  • Java Chip Frappuccino

Please let me know how your lemon drop shot turns out in the comments below!

Best Lemon Drop Shot Recipe (8)

Best Lemon Drop Shot Recipe

By: Izzy

Lemon drop shots are one of my favorite drinks when I’m out and about. It’s sweet and tart with lots of lemony flavors. After years of ordering it at bars, I finally decided it’s time to learn how to make a great lemon drop shot recipe at home.

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Total: 5 minutes mins

Servings: 8

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Ingredients

  • 4 shots vodka
  • 1 shot lemon juice, freshly squeezed or bottled
  • 1 shot sugar, or to taste plus more for garnish
  • ice cubes

Instructions

  • Juice a lemon, then strain to remove seeds and pulp.

  • Rub a piece of lemon slice around the rim of the shot glass and then immediately dip into sugar that’s spread out on a small plate. Set aside.

  • Add ice, vodka, lemon juice, and sugar to a shaking glass.

  • Shake well until sugar is completely dissolved (about 10 times).

  • Strain mix into shot glass and garnish with lemon slice. Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 74kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 6mg | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin C: 2mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate only and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods used.

Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

Best Lemon Drop Shot Recipe (9)

About Izzy

I'm Izzy, a food lover and photographer. Here you’ll find a collection of simple recipes that are perfect for busy people. My blog aims to help you make and enjoy delicious and healthy food at home.

Read More About Me

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Best Lemon Drop Shot Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is a lemon drop shot made of? ›

Combine vodka and lemon juice in a shot glass. Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon sugar on top. Place remaining 2 teaspoons sugar on a small plate; dip lemon wedges in sugar. Suck on a sugared lemon after drinking the shot.

What's the difference between a lemon drop martini and a lemon drop shot? ›

The shot version of a lemon drop doesn't typically include orange liqueur. But Triple Sec or Cointreau is a classic addition to a lemon drop martini.

What's in a lemon drop co*cktail? ›

A lemon drop co*cktail is simple to make at home. I like to use lemon vodka, triple sec orange liqueur, lemon juice (fresh squeezed), and lemonade for built in sweetness! Give it a shake with crushed ice, strain into a sugar rimmed martini glass, and enjoy!

Can you order a lemon drop shot at a bar? ›

The Lemon Drop. This very common co*cktail can come as a shot or in a martini glass. It's a combination of vodka (commonly citron-flavored), fresh-squeezed lemon juice and sugar that threatens to leave you with a hangover. People love Lemon Drops because they're fruity, sweet and often come in a glass rimmed with sugar.

Are lemon shots good for you? ›

Lemon Juice

Lemon, especially, promotes hydration, is a good source of vitamin C, improves the skin's quality, supports weight loss, aids digestion, freshens breath, and helps prevent kidney stones. It also adds a good, citrusy flavor to the shot.

What is a Jolly Rancher shot made of? ›

The Jolly Rancher is a great way to dress up the popular Cape Cod (or vodka cranberry). It is, quite simply, a mix of apple vodka, peach schnapps, and cranberry juice. The three ingredients come together for a refreshing mixed drink with a sweet, fruity taste that's similar to the candy.

How much is a lemon drop at a bar? ›

Lemon drop – $4.57. Long island ice tea – $5.22. Grey Goose martini – $4.15. Cosmopolitan – $6.42.

What is a pineapple upside down cake shot made of? ›

Learn to make this tasty shot recipe using only three ingredients. When you combine vanilla vodka, pineapple juice and grenadine, you will create this beautiful gradient shot that tastes just like pineapple upside-down cake.

What can I use instead of triple sec? ›

If you don't have triple sec handy, you can substitute with another good-quality orange liqueur like Grand Marnier or Cointreau. For a non-alcoholic substitute you can add fresh orange juice, or agave nectar/simple syrup, to add a touch of sweetness.

Is triple sec the same as Cointreau? ›

While Grand Marnier and Cointreau are brand names of specific products, Triple Sec is actually a category in and of itself. Many brands make Triple Sec — in fact, Cointreau itself is a triple sec. The alcohol content in different types of Triple Sec vary quite a bit – from about 15 percent to as much as 40 percent.

Does triple sec go bad? ›

Unopened bottles of triple sec last indefinitely when stored properly. Even after they've been opened, properly stored bottles can last up to a year or longer. The liqueur won't necessarily go bad after that long, but the taste might start to change.

What's the hardest drink for a bartender to make? ›

Probably the most difficult co*cktail recipe to make and every bartender hates it - the RAMOS GIN FIZZ 🍸 60ml / 2oz Gin 15ml / 0.5oz Lemon Juice 15ml / 0.5oz Lime Juice 30ml / 1oz Heavy Cream 1 Dash Orange Blossom Water One Fresh Egg White Soda Water To Top - Shake all ingredients except soda water hard with one large ...

Is 7 and 7 a girl drink? ›

Ordering Seven and Seven has class connotations. It is a working-class drink favoured by men (never women) who want alcoholic strength without the flavour of undiluted spirits, and would be considered infra dig by consumers of single malts or premium vodkas.

What three things you don't talk about in a bar? ›

Don't talk about politics, don't talk about sports, and don't talk about religion. Back in my previous life as a bartender, before I traveled around the world and then landed in real estate, these three rules were golden.

Does lemon drop taste like alcohol? ›

A lemon drop is a vodka-based co*cktail that has a lemony, sweet and sour flavor, prepared using vodka, triple sec, and fresh lemon juice. It has been described as a variant of, or as "a take on", the vodka martini, but is in fact closer to a white lady variant.

Why do people bite a lemon after a shot? ›

The salt lessens the burn of the tequila. Immediately drink shot glass of tequila quickly. Immediately bite into and ​suck on lime or lemon wedge. The sour fruit balances and enhances the flavor of the tequila.

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