• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Sous Vide
  • Air Fryer
  • Starbucks Copycat Drinks

IzzyCooking

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Sous Vide
  • Air Fryer
  • Starbucks Copycat Drinks
  • Let’s Connect!

    • Email
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Sous Vide
    • Air Fryer
    • Starbucks Copycat Drinks
  • Let’s Connect!

    • Email
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Drinks

    02/09/2023

    Best Lemon Drop Shots

    • Share
    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    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 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. 

    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. #LemonDropShot #LemonDrop #LemonDropShotRecipe

    The lemon drop was invented in the 1970s by Norman Jay Hobday. It’s a vodka-based cocktail that has a lemony, sweet, and sour flavor. Lemon drop cocktail is a variant of the vodka martini.

    Originally served in a cocktail 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. 

    Lemon drop shots are one of my favorite shots 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. #LemonDropShot #LemonDrop #LemonDropShotRecipe
    Table of Contents Show
    What is a lemon drop shot made of?
    Lemon juice
    Vodka
    Sugar
    How to make the best lemon drop shot
    Lemon drop shot with limoncello
    Variations
    How to rim a glass with sugar
    Garnish suggestions
    FAQ
    What’s the alcohol content in lemon drop shot?
    Do you chill lemon drop shot?
    What can I substitute for simple syrup?
    What can I use instead of a cocktail shaker?
    How much is a lemon drop shot at a bar?
    More drink recipes
    Best Lemon Drop Shot Recipe

    What is a lemon drop shot made of?

    The best lemon drop shot has a balanced sweet and tart taste and it’s really refreshing. It’s made of 3 simple ingredients 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 concentrated ones. 

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

    Juicing a fresh lemon into a clear bowl.

    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 cocktail. 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. 

    Pouring vodka into a shot glass.

    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.  

    Granulated sugar in a blue bowl on the counter.

    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. 

    Lemon drop shots are one of my favorite shots 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. #LemonDropShot #LemonDrop #LemonDropShotRecipe

    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 glasses 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 a colorful look.

    How to rim a glass with sugar

    A sugar rim is a fun and tasty way to jazz up your homemade cocktails. Besides adding some sweetness to your drink, it also makes it look like it was made by a professional mixologist! 

    First, use a liquid like citrus juice, simple syrup or honey to wet the rim of the glass to allow the sugar to stick. Turn the glass upside down and dip it into a pile of sugar, ensuring it’s evenly distributed. Gently tap the glass to remove the excess sugar and allow it to dry before pouring in your cocktail. 

    Garnish suggestions

    • Mint sprigs: A fresh sprig of spearmint is a classic garnish for any cocktail. Though they’re traditionally used in mojitos, mint sprigs add a refreshing hint of flavor to lemon drop shots and other citrus-based cocktails.
    • Lemon slices: Juicy lemon slices add some extra zest to your drink. Wash a lemon and use a sharp knife to cut it into  ⅛ inch slices for garnishing your cocktails.
    • Lemon sugar: You’ll love the sweet-and-sour taste that lemon sugar will add to your cocktail. Simply combine the fresh zest of a lemon with granulated sugar and use it to rim your glass.

    FAQ

    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?

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

    What can I substitute for simple syrup?

    Wondering what to do if you don’t have simple syrup at home? Suitable substitutes include honey, agave and maple syrup. Honey and agave are both quite thick, so be sure to use a splash of water or citrus juice to thin them out. This makes it easier to mix them into your homemade cocktails. 

    What can I use instead of a cocktail shaker?

    Cocktail shaker substitutes include a covered mason jar, protein shaker, or your favorite portable coffee mug.

    As long as the container you choose is spill-proof, chances are you can use it to make your favorite drinks

    How much is a lemon drop shot at a bar?

    The Lemon Drop Shot is a popular drink at most bars. It’s made with vodka, lemon juice and simple syrup. On average, you can expect to pay anywhere between $6 and $8 when you order this drink at a bar.

    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! 

    Lemon drop shots are one of my favorite shots 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. #LemonDropShot #LemonDrop #LemonDropShotRecipe

    Best Lemon Drop Shot Recipe

    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.
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8
    Author: Izzy
    Calories: 74kcal

    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
    Author: Izzy
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Lemon Drop Shot
    Tried this recipe?Follow or tag us on Pinterest @izzycooking
    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. #LemonDropShot #LemonDrop #LemonDropShotRecipe

    Filed Under: Drinks Tagged With: lemon juice, sugar, vodka

    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.

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, this is Izzy! On my blog, you will find easy and delicious recipes for the everyday home cook, with easy-to-follow instructions and step-by-step photos.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • These Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs are cooked to perfection EVERY TIME! It’s the best way to cook hard boiled eggs and I’ll share my favorite tips with you and take all of the guesswork out. #AirFryerHardBoiledEggs
      Perfect Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs {Easy to Peel}
    • These Sous Vide Lobster Tails are incredibly tender, juicy, and full of delicious lemon butter flavor. With sous vide method, cooking lobster is no longer intimidating. This is a no-fail recipe that produces the most succulent restaurant-quality lobster at home! #SousVideLobster #SousVideLobsterTails
      Sous Vide Lobster Tails with Lemon Butter
    • Homemade Glazed Mochi Donuts are sticky, soft and chewy, so delicious and incredibly addictive! They taste like other Japanese mochi balls on the inside while crispy on the outside. You can glaze them with your favorite toppings: classic, matcha, or chocolate! This foolproof recipe will satisfy those sweet tooth cravings. #MochiDonuts
      Crispy Glazed Mochi Donuts (Pon de Ring Donuts)
    • Sous Vide Frozen Chicken Breast is one of the best features of a sous vide machine. It’s easy, convenient, healthy and turn out so well EVERY TIME! I never take the time to thaw chicken again after I discovered this method. #SousVideChickenBreast #SousVideFrozenChickenBreast
      Sous Vide Frozen Chicken Breasts

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Copyright © 2022 - Izzycooking