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This lemon drop shot recipe combines 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.

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 your guests coming back for more.

If you’re looking for other great summertime beverages for your next get-together, check out this list of the 20 Best Summer Cocktails.

Table of Contents

Why We Love This Lemon Drop Shots Recipe

It’s Easy – Lemon drop shots require only three simple ingredients, all of which you probably already have in your pantry or liquor cabinet.

It’s great for parties – This shot is always a crowd favorite. The vodka has a very neutral flavor, so the lemony goodness really shines. Anyone who enjoys lemonade is sure to love this drink.

It’s versatile – Vodka can be used in literally hundreds of different cocktail recipes, so it should be a staple in your bar, and you’ll always have plenty of use for the leftovers. And if you prefer to make a mixed drink instead of a shot, you can use the same ingredients for a lemon drop cocktail. Just serve in a 4oz martini glass, garnish with a lemon twist, and sip slowly!

It Can be Prepped in Advance – Make (or buy) your simple syrup and squeeze your fresh lemon juice ahead of time and store them in the fridge. When you’re ready to make your shots, you can just pour everything in the cocktail shaker and start shaking!

Ingredients

Chilled vodka
Simple syrup
Fresh squeezed lemon juice
Ice cubes
Sugar for rimming
Lemon slices or wedges for rimming and for garnish

How To Make Lemon Drop Shots

Step 1: Rim your shot glasses. 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, lemon juice, and ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously for about 30 seconds to combine the ingredients and get your shots icy cold.

Step 3: Strain the shots into 2 oz. shot glasses. (You could also use 1.5 oz shot glasses if you want to yield more servings.)

Step 4: Garnish with sugar and tangy-sweet lemon wedges and enjoy!

Lemon Drop Shots with sugar rims and lemon wedges

Tips For the Best Lemon Drop Shot Recipe

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, Belvedere, and Ketel One are all great choices.

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. You can also get a slightly orange flavor by adding a little triple sec.

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!

If you have a food scale, you can use it to measure your ingredients directly into your cocktail shaker. It will save you from having to dirty any measuring cups or spoons.

Can I Make this Lemon Drop Recipe Ahead of time?

You can definitely prepare your lemon juice and simple syrup ahead of time and you can even mix all the liquid together in advance and keep it in the fridge. Just make 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?

You sure can! Make a simple syrup by combining 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. (You can also purchase simple syrup if you’d rather not make your own.)

Simple syrup 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.

Want more Cocktail Recipes?

Lemon drop shots in sugar rimmed shot glasses

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