A lemon drop shot is a sweet and tart vodka shot that tastes strikingly similar to the popular lemon drop candies! Combine lemon juice, simple syrup, and vodka, then shake with ice and strain it into a shot glass. It will make your lips pucker but in the best way!
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Easy Sweet & Sour Vodka Shot For Parties
If you enjoy sour candy, then you'll love this vodka lemon drop. It's sugary and tart, like a glass of homemade lemonade, but with a vodka punch!
All it takes is 3 ingredients and a few minutes of shaking, and it couldn't be easier. These lemon drop shooters are flavorful, easy to drink, and a hit at every party!
🍹 Ingredients
- Vodka - 1 ounce of vodka, or 1.25 ounces if using lemon-flavored vodka (*see note).
- Lemon Juice - ½ ounce of lemon juice (less if using lemon-flavored vodka).
- Simple Syrup - ½ ounce of simple syrup.
*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*
🍸 How To Make A Lemon Drop Shot
There are just 3 easy steps to making the perfect lemon drop shot! You will need a cocktail shaker, measuring utensils or a home bar kit, and a shot glass.
This recipe is for 1 shot, but you can always scale up the ingredients as needed for more shots.
- Combine the ingredients. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add 1 ounce of your preferred vodka, ½ ounce of lemon juice, and ½ ounce of simple syrup.
- Shake. Place the top on your shaker and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds until thoroughly chilled.
- Serve. Strain into a shot glass and garnish with a lemon wedge, if desired.
🥂 Cocktail Tips & Variations
- For the best flavor, I recommend using freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- You can also rub a lemon wedge around the edge of the shot glass and dip the glass in granulated sugar for a sugar rim if desired.
- If using a lemon-flavored vodka like Absolute Citron, you can reduce the lemon juice and increase the vodka for the same great taste with more of a punch!
🍲 Foods To Serve With
A lemon drop is tart and sweet, so I like to contrast the flavor with something salty, crunchy, or savory. Mixed nuts, chips, and salsa, or cheese and crackers, are great for grazing after a lemon drop shot. Dishes that pair well with lemon, like fish, are also a great choice!
- Grilled Swordfish
- Cream Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
- Crab Cakes
- Pan Seared Sea Scallops
- Charcuterie Board
- Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp
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❓ Recipe FAQs
The general idea for each drink is the same, though a lemon drop 'martini' (it's not technically a martini because it doesn't contain vermouth; it is simply served in the same glass) often contains orange liqueur like Cointreau. The difference is also in the proportions. A shot is stronger with a more condensed flavor. As a drink, a lemon drop should be easy to sip on.
It tastes like lemonade with a vodka kick. Sweet, tart, strong, but still easy to drink. It's not uncommon to see a lemon drop with a sugar rim that adds crunchy sweetness.
A lemon drop is made with vodka. Both plain vodka and lemon vodka can be used. The vodka is shaken with ice, simple syrup or sugar, and lemon juice before being strained into a shot glass.
🍾 More Tasty Cocktails
- Cosmopolitan - A tangy sweet cocktail made with vodka, lime juice, cranberry juice cocktail, and triple sec.
- Whiskey Sour - Whiskey, simple syrup, and lemon juice in one crowd-pleasing classic cocktail.
- Dark n Stormy Cocktail - Gosling's Black Seal Rum, lime juice, and ginger beer give this tasty drink its signature flavor!
- Bahama Mama - This fruity drink will make you feel like you're on vacation! It's made with coconut rum, dark rum, orange juice, pineapple juice, and grenadine.
- Appletini -A sweet and sour green apple cocktail made with vodka, apple juice, sour apple liqueur, and simple syrup.
- Vodka Mojito - This mojito is made with vodka rather than rum but still has the classic sweet, minty lime taste!
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📖 Recipe Card
Lemon Drop Shot
Ingredients
- 1 oz vodka
- ½ oz lemon juice
- ½ oz simple syrup
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add the vodka, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
- Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds.
- Strain into a shot glass and garnish with a lemon wedge, if desired.
Notes
- For the best flavor, I recommend using freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- You can also rub a lemon wedge around the edge of the shot glass and dip the glass in granulated sugar for a sugar rim if desired.
- If using a lemon-flavored vodka like Absolute Citron, you can reduce the lemon juice and increase the vodka for the same great taste with more of a punch!
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