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Lemon Drop Shots are tart, bright, and easy to make with vodka, fresh lemon juice, sugar, and a lemon wedge. This version uses a simple 1:1 ratio of vodka to lemon juice, so it is easy to make one shot or scale up for a group.
The sugar rim and sugar-coated lemon wedge balance the tart citrus without adding syrup directly to the shot. Chill the vodka, use fresh lemon juice if you can, and these are ready in just a couple of minutes.
🍋 Why you’ll love this Lemon Drop Shot
This Lemon Drop Shot uses just four ingredients and takes about two minutes to make. Fresh lemon juice brings bright citrus flavor, chilled vodka keeps it crisp, and the 1:1 ratio makes the recipe easy to remember and simple to scale for a group.
In this version, the sweetness comes from the sugar rim and sugar-coated lemon wedge rather than syrup mixed into the shot. That keeps the vodka-and-lemon mixture tart while giving you sweetness with each sip.
Looking for other shot recipes? Try this Total Yodel shot or these Moscow Mule Jell-O Shots. If you are looking for a cocktail, check out this fruity Appletini cocktail recipe.
🍸 Ingredients
It only takes four simple ingredients to make these shots.
- Vodka
- Fresh lemon juice
- Lemon wedge, for the rim and serving
- Granulated sugar
See the recipe card for quantities.
🍸 Instructions
Run the lemon wedge around the rim of the shot glass to moisten it, then dip the rim into granulated sugar.
After the glass is rimmed, dip or roll the lemon wedge in sugar so it is coated.
Pour the chilled vodka and fresh lemon juice into the prepared shot glass and stir briefly to combine.
Serve immediately. Drink the shot, then immediately bite or suck on the sugar-coated lemon wedge.
🤷 Substitutions and variations
Prefer a larger Lemon Drop-style cocktail? Try 2 ounces of vodka, 1 ounce of lemon juice, and ½ ounce of simple syrup. Rim the martini glass with sugar before pouring.
No vodka in the house? White rum or gin both work well with lemon and sugar, although the result is no longer a traditional Lemon Drop.
Want to make this in bulk? Keep the 1:1 vodka-to-lemon-juice ratio. For eight shots, combine 1 cup vodka with 1 cup fresh lemon juice. Keep the mixture refrigerated until serving, stir it before pouring, and prepare the individual sugar-rimmed glasses and lemon wedges separately.
🎓 History tidbit
In cocktail form, the Lemon Drop traces its origins to the 1970s in San Francisco. It is generally credited to bartender Norman Jay Hobday, who served it at Henry Africa’s bar.
The drink was inspired by lemon-drop candy, combining tart citrus with enough sweetness to soften the edge. The Lemon Drop is now commonly served both as a cocktail and as a shot.
❓ FAQ
A clean, neutral vodka works well, and there is no need to buy an expensive bottle for this shot. Use a vodka you already enjoy drinking.
Fresh lemon juice gives the best flavor, but bottled 100% lemon juice works in a pinch.
The sweetness in this recipe comes mainly from the sugar rim and sugar-coated lemon wedge. For a less-sweet shot, use less sugar on the rim or wedge, or omit one of them. For a more tart shot, add a little more lemon juice or reduce the sugar.
This Lemon Drop Shot is a small 2-ounce pour served as a shooter. Lemon Drop cocktails are generally larger, are often shaken with ice, and commonly include additional sweetener and sometimes orange liqueur.
The sugar rim and sugar-coated lemon wedge balance the tart lemon in this recipe. They add sweetness without mixing syrup directly into the vodka and lemon juice.
📝 Tips and tricks
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice gives the brightest flavor, but bottled 100% lemon juice works in a pinch.
- Use a vodka you enjoy, but an inexpensive clean, neutral vodka works well here.
- Use a shot glass with a little more than 2 ounces of capacity. A 2½-ounce shooter gives the full 2-ounce recipe some headroom.
- For multiple shots, premix equal parts vodka and lemon juice, refrigerate, and stir before pouring.
- Chill the vodka ahead of time because this recipe is not shaken with ice.
🛠 Products used in this recipe
😋 Did you make this recipe?
That is awesome, and thank you so much for giving this Lemon Drop Shot recipe a try. If you could leave a rating in the comment area below, it would be greatly appreciated. This lets me know how I am doing and also helps others decide if they want to make this recipe. Most of all, thanks for visiting Ramshackle Pantry.
Lemon Drop Shot
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 2 minutes
- Yield: 1 shot 1x
- Category: Cocktails
- Method: Pour
- Cuisine: American
Description
This easy Lemon Drop Shot combines chilled vodka and fresh lemon juice with a sugar-rimmed glass and sugar-coated lemon wedge. Tart, simple, and ready in two minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce vodka, chilled
- 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
- 1 lemon wedge
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, approximately, plus more if needed
Instructions
- Run the lemon wedge around the rim of the shot glass to moisten it.
- Dip the moistened rim in sugar.
- Coat the lemon wedge in sugar.
- Add the chilled vodka and fresh lemon juice to the prepared glass and stir briefly.
- Serve immediately; drink the shot and follow it with the sugar-coated lemon wedge.
Notes
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice gives the brightest flavor, but bottled 100% lemon juice works in a pinch.
- Use a vodka you enjoy, but an inexpensive clean, neutral vodka works well here.
- Use a shot glass with a little more than 2 ounces of capacity. A 2½-ounce shooter gives the full 2-ounce recipe some headroom.
- For multiple shots, premix equal parts vodka and lemon juice, refrigerate, and stir before pouring.
A simple and great shot! Give it a try.