How to Make a Lemon Drop

Guide Note This page will teach you how to make lemon drops, cocktails that combine vodka, fresh lemon juice and sugar.

It's the perfect sweet and sour cocktail!

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• What You'll Need
• Making the Lemon Drop
• Variations on the Lemon Drop
• References

Making Lemon Drops Tips

1. For a more lemony Lemon Drop, use lemon-flavored or citron vodka.
2. Rim your glass by dipping it in lemon juice, then sugar.
3. Looking for an interesting garnish? Try a few sprigs of mint, candied lemon slices, candy lemon drops or a maraschino cherry.

Disclaimer Drinking alcohol will impair your ability to drive. Drink responsibly.

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Introduction

(CC photo by The Dana Files)

• When life gives you lemons, make Lemon Drops. Well, the saying doesn't go exactly like that, but a Lemon Drop, not to be confused with the classic candy, is still a potent cocktail that's easy to make.¹ This simple drink combines vodka, fresh lemon juice and sugar. It's traditionally served in an old-fashioned glass with a sugar-coated rim,² but can also be poured into a cocktail glass.³ But consider yourself forewarned. While Lemon Drops deliciously contrast sweet and sour tastes, they go down smoothly and can knock you off your feet if you're not careful.⁴

What You'll Need

(Creative Commons photo by rick)

• This recipe makes 1 Lemon Drop. The prep time is about five minutes.

Ingredients

• 3 oz. Vodka
• 2 oz. Freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • If fresh lemon juice is not available, substitute sweet and sour mix. However, if you go this route, leave out the sugar except for the rim of the glass.⁵
• 1-2 Teaspoons of sugar (depending on how sweet you like your drinks!)
• 1 Tablespoon of sugar and 1 tablespoon of water (for garnishing glass)⁶
• Lemon slices for garnish⁷

Equipment

• Old-fashioned glass⁸
• Cocktail shaker
• 2 small plates
• Old-fashioned glass, or a cocktail glass

Making the Lemon Drop

(Creative Commons photo by Michelle)

Prepare the Glass

1. Fill one small plate with a tablespoon of water.
2. Fill another small plate with a tablespoon of sugar.
   • You can add some finely chopped lemon zest to the sugar plate for extra zing.⁷
3. Dip the rim of the glass in the water, then in the sugar.

• TIP: Alternatively, you can just run a lemon wedge around the rim of the glass and then dip into the sugar.⁷

Prepare the Lemon Drop

1. Rim the old-fashioned glass with sugar.
2. Spoon the sugar into the cocktail shaker.
3. Add ice to the shaker and pour vodka and lemon juice over the ice.
4. Shake until completely cold, at least ten seconds.
5. Pour into the prepped old-fashioned glass.
6. Garnish with a slice of lemon.⁴
7. Serve immediately.

• If you don't have a cocktail shaker, add the lemon juice, sugar, and vodka to a glass, and stir until mixed, then add ice.⁷

Lemon Drop Variations

1. Lemon Drops on the Rocks: This recipe calls for the drink to be served over ice with thin slices of lemon.⁹
2. Flaming Lemon Drops: This version calls for Galliano, an herbal liqueur, and rum.¹⁰
3. Lemon Verbena Drops: This recipe calls for you to infuse the vodka with lemon verbena. It also calls for a splash of Limoncello.¹¹
4. Cherry Lemon Drops: This recipe combines vodka with sweet and sour mix, grenadine and a slice of lemon.¹²
5. Lemon Liv: This recipe calls for herbal bitters and maraschino cherries.¹³
6. Lemon Drop II: This recipe calls for maraschino cherries and is served in a shot glass.¹⁴

• Howcast: How to Make a Lemon Drop Cocktail (Time: 2:35)

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References for How to Make a Lemon Drop

1. ↑ Ferrara Pan: Lemonheads
2. ↑ DrinksMixer: Old-Fashioned Glass
3. ↑ The Spirit World: The Cocktail Glass (January 21, 2008)
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} Chow: Lemon Drop
5. ↑ DrinkStreet.com: Lemon Drops
6. ↑ DrinksMixer.com: Lemon Drop
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3} AllRecipes: Lemon Drop
8. ↑ DrinksMixer.com: Old-Fashioned Glass
9. ↑ MarthaStewart.com: Lemon Drops on the Rocks
10. ↑ DrinksMixer.com: Flaming Lemon Drop Recipe
11. ↑ 101 Cookbooks: Lemon Verbana Drop Recipe
12. ↑ DrinksMixer.com: Cherry Lemon Drop Recipe
13. ↑ Chow: Lemon Liv
14. ↑ AllRecipes: Lemon Drop II

Additional Lemon Drop Recipes

• DrinksMixer: Lemon Drop Recipe
• FoodNetwork: Lemon Drop Cocktail Recipe
• FoodNetwork: Mighty Lemon Drop