The Lemon Drop Shot was the first shot recipe I ever learned to make. It’s a lot of fun and great to serve at a party. There’s something undeniably perfect about the combination of sweet and sour. This recipe is so fresh and delicious.
This shot recipe is a close cousin to the classic Lemon Drop Martini. In this post, I’ll teach you how to make perfect lemon drop shots for your next gathering.
More shot + cocktail recipes: Green Tea Shot, Chocolate Cake Shot, Vodka Jello Shot, Best Mint Mojito, Homemade Margarita Mix, Cosmopolitan, Classic Gimlet Cocktail, Classic Manhattan.
Ingredients in a Lemon Drop Shot
- Vodka – The base spirit for this shot is vodka. We recommend a quality, mid-priced vodka like Tito’s, Grey Goose or Smirnoff.
- Lemon Juice – Fresh squeezed!
- Simple Syrup – You can easily make your own bath using our Simple Syrup recipe.
- Sugar – You will also need granulated sugar for rimming your glass and sugaring your lemons.
- Lemons – Cut into wedges.
Here’s a link to the shot glasses I used. I also love this cocktail shaker.
How to Make a Lemon Drop Shot
- Chill Your Ingredients: Begin by chilling your vodka, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup. Chilling these ingredients in advance ensures your shot will be refreshingly cold.
- Prepare the Glass: Take a chilled shot glass and rim it with sugar. To do this, dip the rim of the glass in water or lemon juice and then into a small plate of sugar. Gently twist the glass to ensure an even sugar coating.
- Mix the Cocktail: In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine vodka, lemon juice and simple syrup.
- Shake Vigorously: Seal the shaker and shake vigorously for about 10 seconds. This chilling process also helps to dilute the mixture slightly, balancing the flavors.
- Strain and Serve: Carefully strain the mixture from the shaker into your prepared sugar-rimmed shot glass.
- Serve with a sugared lemon wedge. Part of the experience of this shot is chasing the shot with a bite into the sugared lemon wedge. It’s delicious and the best part of the experience, so don’t skip it!
Tips for Making
- Try flavored vodkas. If you want to change up your flavor profile a bit, try swapping in various flavored vodkas or even try a citrus vodka for a more intense experience.
- Infuse your sugar with grated lemon zest for a greater sensory experience (our sense of smell is very connected to our sense of taste).
- Try half lemon, half lime juice for a fun variation.
History of the Lemon Drop Shot
The Lemon Drop Shot’s history is closely tied to the Lemon Drop Martini, a classic cocktail that emerged during the 1970s. The Lemon Drop Martini, known for its vibrant blend of vodka, lemon juice, and sugar, served as the inspiration for the shot recipe.
More Lemon Recipes:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a lemon drop shot made of?
You only need a few ingredients to make a batch of lemon drop shots. You will need a good quality vodka, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, lemon wedges and granulated sugar for rimming and dipping.
What does a lemon drop shot taste like?
A lemon drop shot tastes exactly how it sounds—strong and very sweet.
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Instructions
Chill Your Ingredients: Begin by chilling your vodka, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup. Chilling these ingredients in advance ensures your shot will be refreshingly cold.
Prepare the Glass: Take a chilled shot glass and rim it with sugar. To do this, dip the rim of the glass in water or lemon juice and then into a small plate of sugar. Gently twist the glass to ensure an even sugar coating.
Mix the Cocktail: In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine vodka, lemon juice and simple syrup.
Shake Vigorously: Seal the shaker and shake vigorously for about 10 seconds. This chilling process also helps to dilute the mixture slightly, balancing the flavors.
Strain and Serve: Carefully strain the mixture from the shaker into your prepared sugar-rimmed shot glass.
Serve with a sugared lemon wedge. Part of the experience of this shot is chasing the shot with a bite into the sugared lemon wedge. It’s delicious and the best part of the experience, so don’t skip it!
Notes
- Try flavored vodkas. If you want to change up your flavor profile a bit, try swapping in various flavored vodkas or even try a citrus vodka for a more intense experience.
- Infuse your sugar with grated lemon zest for a greater sensory experience (our sense of smell is very connected to our sense of taste).
- Try half lemon, half lime juice for a fun variation.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Lemon Drop Shot
Amount per Serving
% Daily Value*
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.