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Home > Recipes > Vodka

Lemon Drop Shot

The lemon drop shot is a classic shooter made with vodka, lemon juice and simple syrup, served with a sugared lemon slice. Serve this bar-room favorite at your next party for a hit of something tart and sweet.
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A few shot glasses full of shots with sugared lemons topping the glasses, one has a lemon in it.
Table of Contents
  • Why we love the lemon drop shot
  • Here's what you'll need to make it
    • Equipment
    • Ingredients & substitutions
  • How to make a lemon drop
  • Everything you need to know about lemon drop cocktails
  • More vodka cocktails you will love
  • More citrus recipes you should try
  • Lemon Drop Shot

Why we love the lemon drop shot

This simple shot is a party favorite for a reason. It’s like a sweet, grown-up version of the classic sour candy. And, there’s nothing better than that sugared lemon chaser.

It’s almost like a little spiked lemonade shot.

A full shot glass topped with a sugared lemon wedge, with a plate of sugared lemons in the background.

Here’s what you’ll need to make it

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Equipment

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Cocktail Shaker

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shot glasses

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Citrus Reamer

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Ingredients & substitutions

  • Vodka – Regular vodka will work for this recipe, but you can vary it up and use flavored vodka for a little something special. Lemon or citron vodka would make it especially lemony.
  • Lemon juice – Fresh squeezed is best, but bottled will work.
  • Simple syrup – This is optional, but I like to add a tiny bit to make the shot more enjoyable.
  • Sugar – This is for the sugared lemon slice chaser, and you can’t have a lemon drop shot without it. I prefer regular granulated sugar.
  • Lemon slice
A plate of sugared lemon wedges.

How to make a lemon drop

Sugar the lemons. Get your lemon slices ready by dipping them in sugar. I like to set up a plate for the sugar and a plate for my finished slices.

Shake the shot. Combine the lemon juice, vodka and simple syrup in a shaker filled with ice. Cover and shake until cold.

The colder the better for this shot, but you also don’t want to water down the shot by over shaking. Find that happy place.

Garnish and serve. Divide the liquid between your glasses – if you have time to chill them first, do it! Then, set a sugared lemon wedge on the rim before serving.

A lemon drop shot in a shot glass rimmed in sugar.

Everything you need to know about lemon drop cocktails

What are lemon drop shots made of?

Lemon drop shots contain vodka and lemon juice, although some recipes will add simple syrup to sweeten the shot. This shot is really all about the sugared lemon chaser, even if you add simple syrup you cannot skip the chaser.

Why is it called a lemon drop?

This simple shot is named after the classic lemon drop candy. A more modern variation of the candy you might know by the brand name of Lemonheads.

A hand holding a lemon wedge covered in sugar, above a few shot glasses.

More vodka cocktails you will love

  • Cherry vodka sour
  • Tokyo iced tea
  • Ice pick drink
  • Shaft drink

More citrus recipes you should try

  • Blueberry lemon drop martini
  • French gimlet
  • Limoncello lemon margarita
  • Blood orange hibiscus mezcalita
Overhead photo of 3 lemon drop shots with a plate of lemon wedges and sugar on a plate.

Lemon Drop Shot

By: Melissa Belanger
The lemon drop shot is a classic shooter made with vodka, lemon juice and simple syrup, served with a sugared lemon slice. Serve this bar-room favorite at your next party for a hit of something tart and sweet.
Prep Time: 2 minutes mins
Total Time: 2 minutes mins
2 shots
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Ingredients 

  • 1 1/2 ounces vodka
  • 1 1/2 ounces lemon juice
  • 1/2 ounce simple syrup
  • For garnish: lemon slice, granulated sugar

Instructions 

  • Dip lemon slices in granulated sugar to coat. Set aside.
  • In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine vodka, lemon juice and simple syrup. Shake until cold.
  • Pour the liquid into two shot glasses.
  • Serve each shot with a sugared lemon slice.
Last step!Share a picture on Instagram and tag me at @anothercocktailblog!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 73kcal (4%), Carbohydrates: 7g (2%), Protein: 0.1g, Fat: 0.1g, Saturated Fat: 0.01g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g, Sodium: 5mg, Potassium: 27mg (1%), Fiber: 0.1g, Sugar: 6g (7%), Vitamin A: 1IU, Vitamin C: 8mg (10%), Calcium: 2mg, Iron: 0.3mg (2%)

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2 responses

  1. Lemon Curd Cookies (dairy free!) – Zero Carb
    February 15, 2023

    […] also dropped a key lime pie shot and a classic lemon drop shot recipe on my other site – Another Cocktail […]

    Reply
  2. Lemon Curd Cookies (dairy free!) – Simply Whisked
    October 29, 2024

    […] also dropped a key lime pie shot and a classic lemon drop shot recipe on my other site – Another Cocktail […]

    Reply

Hi! I’m Melissa.

I’m so happy you’re here!

I’m a food blogger, photographer and cocktail enthusiast – and a mom of 2. I started Another Cocktail Blog to share the fun of mixing cocktails at home, so grab some ice and stay for a while.

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