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

Pin RecipeRate RecipePrint Recipe

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.

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.

How to make a lemon drop shot on Reddit? ›

3/4oz lemon, 3/4simple, 1/2oz triple sec 1.5oz vodka, 1 lemon wedge. squeeze and drop a lemon wedge into Shaker. Shake and double strain. Into sugar rimmed glass.

Why do bartenders hate lemon drop shots? ›

Lemon Drop

For those working the line, it's just another on a long list of drinks bartenders hate to make. Turns out, the sugar. . . ain't so sweet. The issue with a sugar-rimmed glass is the mess and the stickiness.

What alcohol gets you drunk the fastest? ›

Highly concentrated beverages, like vodka and gin, are absorbed faster by your body. It also absorbs fizzy and bubbly drinks, like champagne or soda mixes, quicker than other drinks. How fast you drink: Chugging rather than sipping will increase your BAC faster and cause you to feel drunker.

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

What Is the Most Difficult co*cktail to Make?
  • Ramos Gin Fizz. A frothy and creamy co*cktail that demands vigorous shaking to achieve its characteristic texture. ...
  • Sazerac. ...
  • Mai Tai. ...
  • Aviation. ...
  • Bloody Mary. ...
  • Pisco Sour. ...
  • Zombie. ...
  • Negroni Sbagliato.

What is the best shot to get at a bar? ›

Top 10 Most Popular Shots to Order at a Bar
  • Jägerbomb.
  • Kamikaze.
  • Lemon Drop.
  • B-52.
  • Irish Car Bomb.
  • Sambuca Shot.
  • Fireball Shot.
  • Liquid Cocaine.

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.

Is Grand Marnier the same as triple sec? ›

Grand Marnier is an orange liqueur in the curaçao tradition, and Cointreau is a triple sec. Grand Marnier is a blend of cognac and triple sec, so although it's not a traditional curaçao, it's a similar product. Cointreau, on the other hand, is straight up a triple sec.

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.

What is slang lemon drop? ›

You may have heard the term “lemon” or “lemon drop” used, but what is lemon slang for, and what is a lemon drug? Slang terms for different drugs are varied, but lemon is the slang term for a mixture of dextromethorphan (DXM) and lemonade powder, as well as paint thinner or lighter fluid.

What do you need to make a drop shot? ›

Things You'll Need
  1. Medium or lightweight rod.
  2. 10–20 lb (4.5–9.1 kg) braided line.
  3. Size 1-2 drop shot hook.
  4. 6–8 lb (2.7–3.6 kg) fluorocarbon line.
  5. Fishing weight.
  6. Bait.

How much does a lemon drop shot cost at a bar? ›

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

What is a drop shot alcohol? ›

A bomb shot, depth charge, or drop shot (Canada) is a kind of mixed drink. A drink in a small glass (typically a shot glass) is dropped into a larger glass holding a different drink. The resulting co*cktail is typically consumed as quickly as possible ("chugged").

Are lemon drop good for you? ›

In addition to benefiting these symptoms, lemon drops also have been known to help people with morning sickness and HIV patients who are prescribed with antiretroviral medications. With all of the benefits of these tasty sour and sweet treats, why not stock up on some and buy lemon drops online today!

Are lemon shots good for you? ›

Lemon shots are a great way to start your day. Lemon juice, mixed with water, helps in relieving the symptoms of indigestion such as heartburn and bloating. Once you understand the science behind how a lemon shot each morning helps with your metabolism, you'll be a convert for sure.

What is the strongest shot? ›

1. Polmos Spirytus Rektyfikowany Vodka. The world's strongest liquor is a rectified Polish spirit typically used by home distillers to create their own flavored vodkas. You can drink it straight, but since it's practically pure alcohol, it has a powerful kick so it's generally not recommended.

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