How to Make a Lemon Drop

Co-authored by Caroline Heiderscheit

Last Updated: September 19, 2022 Fact Checked

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Are you craving a refreshing, sweet, citrus treat for one? Lemon drop drinks are the perfect bet—and even better, they're super easy to make! We'll walk you through everything you need to know to make the perfect lemon drop martini or lemon drop shot. From the sugar rim and cocktail mixing to your lemon garnish, by the end of this article, you'll be a total expert. Read on for the most delish lemon drop shot or lemon drop martini recipe ever!

Ingredients

Lemon Drop Martini

1 lemon
2 fluid ounces (59 ml) of vodka
¹⁄₂ fluid ounce (15 mL) of orange liqueur
¹⁄₂ fluid ounce (15 mL) of simple syrup
2 tablespoons (25 g) of sugar

Lemon Drop Shot

1 lemon
1.125 fluid ounces (33.3 mL) of vodka
.375 fluid ounces (11.1 mL) of limoncello (optional)
1 teaspoon (4.18 g) of sugar

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Lemon Drop Martini

Pour your ingredients into a cocktail shaker. First, fill your shaker with ice. Then, measure 2 fluid ounces (59 mL) of vodka, ¹⁄₂ fluid ounce (15 mL) of orange liqueur, and ¹⁄₂ fluid ounce (15 mL) of simple syrup to add in as well.^{[1]
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2
Mix your lemon drop martini. Shake your soon-to-be lemon drop drink for 15 seconds inside of a cocktail shaker. If you're giving your ingredients a good mix, you should hear the ice banging around inside your shaker. After this, you'll have the perfect blend.^{[2]
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- Shaking ensures that neither the alcohol flavor nor the juice flavor will take center stage—instead, you'll have a perfect, balanced taste.
3
Give your glass a lemon-sugar rim. Chill a martini or coupe glass in the freezer for a bit if you want it to be cold. Using a knife or peeler, gently slice a thin length of lemon peel about 2–3 inches (5.1–7.6 cm) long. Then, give your lemon a quick squeeze inside of your lemon squeezer—aim to collect a little over 2 tablespoons (6.0 tsp) of lemon juice in a bowl below.^{[3]
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- On a plate, evenly spread about 2 tablespoons (25 g) of sugar to use for your rim.
- Run your squeezed lemon rine over your glass’ rim 3 times and then dip the rim onto your plate of sugar.
Simply empty the contents of your cocktail shaker into your sugar-rimmed glass. Remember that lemon peel slice you expertly cut? Now we'll put it to good use. Simply lay your lemon slice into your glass or, if you want to get funky, grab a toothpick. Bend your lemon slice back and forth and then run a toothpick through the middle. Gently lay your toothpick over the rim. Yum—that must look amazing!

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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Lemon Drop Shot

1
Mix your ingredients in your cocktail shaker. First, fill the shaker with ice. Then, depending on how many shots you’re looking to pour, throw in your vodka and lemon juice. Just make sure you keep the right ratio—3 fluid ounces (89 mL) of vodka for every 1 fluid ounce (30 mL) of lemon juice. Shake well. Here are the measurements for a single shot:^{[4]
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- Use .375 fluid ounces (11.1 mL) of lemon juice and 1.125 fluid ounces (33.3 mL) of vodka.
- For an extra burst of citrus flavor, replace your .375 fluid ounces (11.1 mL) of lemon juice with .375 fluid ounces (11.1 mL) of limoncello. All other measurements are the same.
To give your shot that famous sugar rim, first squeeze your lemon by hand or in a juicer (you just need a splash, but why not save your extra juice to use for another recipe?). Then, run your lemon rind over the shot’s rim 3 times to coat it with flavor. Next, dip your wet rim in a plate of sugar. Lift and check that your sugar stayed in its place.^{[5]
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To give your shot that yummy, sweet taste, including your sugar is a must. Either drop 1 sugar cube, 1 sugar packet, or 1 teaspoon (4.18 g) of sugar into your shot glass.^{[6]
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4
Pour your mixture into the glass and add your garnish. Next, open your cocktail shaker and pour your delish shot into your shot glass. If you’re presenting your shot to friends and aim to impress, cut a quick lemon slice and gently press it into your plate of sugar. Place the lemon on the side of your shot glass for an extra professional look!^{[7]
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- Then, give your shot a quick stir with your cocktail shaker's mixing spoon.
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Community Q&A

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Question

Can I rim the glass with crushed Lemonheads candy?

Community Answer

Yes, that would be a great addition to the drink! I may steal this idea for myself when I throw cocktail evenings!

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Question

If I'm using just lemon juice, could I put sugar in the mix?

Community Answer

Of course! This would be fine.

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Question

Can I use vodka, lemon juice and Limoncello liqueur?

Community Answer

Yes. As a shot, do 2 parts vodka, 2 parts liqueur and 1 part lemon juice. If you wanted to make it a long drink, I would also add two parts lemonade.

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