I’m a lemon dessert kind of girl. I’ll take the sweet-tart character of lemon meringue pie over apple pie any day of the week, and I love lemon curd so much that I could eat it with a spoon like pudding. So, it’s not surprising that lemon drops are my favorite candy. Like the candy, this lemon drop shot recipe hones in on that perfect balance of sweet-tart flavors. It’s a perfect party shot because it tends to be a real crowd-pleaser: Sour enough to taste refreshing yet sweet enough to go down smoothly.
What’s in a lemon drop shot? It’s similar to a lemon drop martini but with only three ingredients: vodka, lemon and sugar. Some of the sugar is turned into simple syrup to give the cocktail a smooth finish, and the rest is used to create a gorgeous sugar-dusted coating on the shot glasses.
How to Make Lemon Drop Shots
This lemon drop shot recipe is easy to shake up in a cocktail shaker for a two-person serving, or you can scale it to serve a crowd. If you’re making a lot of lemon drops, make the recipe ahead of time and store the shots in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. We provided detailed instructions on both methods below.
You’ll also need to decide whether to add a sugared rim to the shot glass. Personally, I love it. It looks gorgeous and adds a candied finish to the shot, making the concoction taste almost exactly like lemon drop candies. The sugared rim is also incredibly easy to make. Simply moisten the rim of a shot glass and dip it into sugar. Seriously, that’s it!
Lemon Drop Shot Ingredients
- Vodka: The best vodka brand for lemon drop shots is somewhere in the mid-price range. Inexpensive vodka can taste bitter, but expensive vodka’s nuances will get lost in the sweet-tart flavorings. For gluten-free lemon drop shots, use one of these gluten-free vodka brands.
- Simple syrup: It’s easy to make simple syrup at home. Simply combine equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan, and simmer the mixture until the sugar dissolves. The simple syrup lasts in the fridge for three to four weeks.
- Lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice is essential to a great lemon drop shot. It’s much brighter and more flavorful than bottled lemon juice, which can be unpleasantly sour.
- Optional garnish: For a sugar-frosted presentation, rim the shot glasses with sugar and serve the shots with sugar-coated lemon wedges.
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the shot glasses
If desired, moisten the rim of two shot glasses with lemon wedges. Sprinkle sugar on a plate, and dip the moistened rims in the sugar.
Editor’s Tip: To elevate the shots, try adding some lemon zest to the sugar. The lemon’s essential oils infuse into the sugar and give the shots a cocktail bar-quality finish.
Step 2: Shake the lemon drop shots
Fill a shaker half full with ice. Add vodka, simple syrup and lemon juice. Cover and shake until condensation forms on the outside of the shaker, 10 to 15 seconds.
Step 3: Strain and serve
Strain the mixture into two shot glasses. If desired, serve with lemon wedges coated in sugar.
How to Make Lemon Drop Shots for a Crowd
You may want to double, triple or quadruple the recipe when serving lemon drop shots at a party. Mix the vodka, simple syrup and lemon juice in a jar with a tightly fitted lid. You won’t need to mix it with ice since you’ll store the shot in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve. The shots will be good for about a week, but it’s best to serve them within a day or two for best flavor.
Lemon Drop Shot Variations
- Use flavored vodka: Swap in flavored vodkas to give the shot an unexpected spin. Try citrus vodka for extra-lemony flavor, berry-flavored vodka for a fruity twist or whipped cream vodka for a smooth finish.
- Make it extra-citrusy: To boost the citrusy vibes, add a splash of triple sec (an orange-flavored liqueur). You can also substitute other types of citrus, like lime, grapefruit or orange juice.
- Turn it into a Jell-O shot: Add water and lemon-flavored gelatin to the mix, and let the shot set up in the fridge for about three hours. Check out our Jell-o shots recipe for more details on how to make these iconic party shots.
Lemon Drop Shot Recipe Tips
Are lemon drop shots strong?
This lemon drop shot recipe makes two shots, each containing 1/2 ounce of vodka. These lemon drop shots are relatively weak compared to classic cocktails like a martini, which contains 3 ounces of vodka. However, they do go down easily, so make sure to enjoy them in moderation.
Do you need to chill shot glasses for lemon drop shots?
I always recommend chilling shot glasses. The colder the shot, the smoother it tastes. The easiest way to chill shot glasses is by filling them with crushed ice while you mix the shots. Then, dump the ice and strain the cocktail into the chilled glass. Another option is to chill shot glasses in the freezer if you have the real estate to spare.
Can you make non-alcoholic lemon drop shots?
The easiest way to make a non-alcoholic lemon drop shot is to replace the vodka with club soda. You could also use lemonade or limeade, although you may want to adjust the amount of added sugar.
