Lemon Drop Shot Recipe (Just 3 Ingredients)

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These tasty Lemon Drop Shots combine fresh lemon and vodka to create a sweet and tart drink that’s sure to be a hit at your next party. Just like the popular lemon drop candy you enjoyed as a child, lemon drop shots are a fun adult version of the candy treat with an equally delicious taste.

Classic Lemon Drop Shot Recipe

There’s something about the combination of lemon, vodka, and sugar that makes for a perfect refreshing drink. This simple recipe calls for a good quality vodka, which is combined with fresh lemon juice, sweetened with simple syrup, and shaken until it’s icy cold.

A perfect way to liven up your spring happy hour or summer pool party, the bright lemon flavor and citrusy sweetness of these delicious shots will have everyone coming back for more.

Looking for more delicious drink ideas? You’ll love these fun Summer Cocktails.

Lemon Drop Shots with sugar rims and lemon wedges

Why We Love This Recipe

It’s Really Easy To Make – You just need a few ingredients to make these shots, all of which you probably already have in your pantry or liquor cabinet.

It’s great for parties – You can triple the recipe to make it for a crowd. Anyone who enjoys lemonade is sure to love this drink.

It’s versatile – If you prefer to make a mixed drink instead of a shot, you can use the same ingredients for a lemon drop martini. Just serve in a 4oz martini glass, garnish with a lemon twist, and sip slowly!

A bunch of lemons on a white background.

Ingredients

Vodka
Simple syrup
Freshly squeezed lemon juice
Ice cubes
Granulated sugar for rimming
Lemon slices or wedges for rimming and for garnish

How To Make A Lemon Drop Shot

Step 1: Fill your shaker with ice, then rim your glasses with sugar. Add a layer of sugar to a saucer or shallow bowl. Run a lemon wedge along the rim of each glass and dip the glass into the sugar to create a pretty sugared rim.

Step 2: Combine vodka, simple syrup and lemon juice in your cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously for about 30 seconds to combine the ingredients and get your shots icy cold.

Step 3: Strain the shots into chilled shot glasses. (We used 2 ounce shot glasses but you could also use 1.5 ounce shot glasses if you want to yield more servings.)

Step 4: Add lemon wedges (or sugared lemon wedges) and enjoy!

Three glasses with lemon slices and straws on a marble table, showcasing a refreshing lemon drop shot recipe.

Tips & Tricks

The key to simple recipes like this one is making sure you use good ingredients. Be sure to select a high-quality vodka for this recipe. It makes a big difference in the flavor, and cheap vodka is never a good idea. Grey Goose, Tito’s Belvedere, and Ketel One are all great choices.
If you want extra lemon tartness, try making this recipe with Absolut Citron Vodka.
Because vodka doesn’t freeze, you can keep a bottle in the freezer so you will always have cold vodka on hand.
Feel free to adjust the level of sweetness to suit your taste. If you prefer a tarter lemon flavor, you can use a bit less simple syrup. If you like them really sweet, you can even drop a sugar cube in the bottom of the shot glass before adding the other ingredients. It will melt slowly, or you can eat like a little candy surprise.
Add a splash of Chambord liqueur to make raspberry lemon drop shots. Berry flavor goes really well with lemon. Just be aware that it will also add some extra sweetness, so you may want to reduce the simple syrup slightly.
If you’re not a huge fan of lemon flavors, this recipe will also work with just about any citrus fruit. Lime and grapefruit both taste great with vodka. The grapefruit does have more natural sugar than lemon though, so this is another instance where you may want to adjust your simple syrup accordingly.
Rinse your shot glasses and then put them in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. You’ll have perfectly chilled glasses every time!

Can I Make These Ahead of time?

If you’re planning to make a big batch of lemon drop shots, you can definitely prepare them ahead of time. Just mix all the liquid together in advance and keep it in the refrigerator. Be sure to wait until right before serving to shake them with the ice.

You want to make sure the ingredients are thoroughly mixed and chilled before serving.

Can I Make My Own Simple Syrup?

Don’t have simple syrup on hand? You can easily make your own. Just combine equal parts granulated white sugar and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently until all of the sugar is dissolved. Allow to cool and then store in the fridge.

This can be used in tons of cocktail recipes so feel free to make extra. Just keep it refrigerated and it should be good for up to a month.

More Fun Shots And Cocktail Recipes?

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