Quick Answer: What Are The Best Lemon Drop Shots?
The best basic Lemon Drop Shots recipe is the Classic Lemon Drop Shot. For a Lemon Drop Shot with a fun consistency, try Lemon Drop Jello Shots, Hot Shot Lemon Drops or Lemon Drop Pudding Shots. To achieve a Lemon Drop shot with extra fruity flavor, opt for the Peach Lemon Drop Shot or the Blueberry Lemon Drop Shot. Lastly, if you’re looking for a drink that contains both lemon and floral hints, try the Lavender Lemon Drop Shooter.
Looking for the perfect shot to elevate your next party? With its deliciously refreshing palette of flavors, you can never go wrong with the classic Lemon Drop Shot.
Lemon Drop Shots were invented in the 1970s by a man named Norman Jay Hobday. Although they were initially served in cocktail glasses, the Lemon Drop Shot has since been adapted into various forms, including the shot.
Lemon Drop Shots are thought to be inspired by the 18th century Lemon Drop candies and, as a result, typically consist of three key ingredients: lemon juice, sweetener and vodka.
So that you have a thorough understanding of each of these components, let’s dive into them in greater depth:
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is the star of the Lemon Drop Shot and provides the tart component among the three ingredients. For the best results, we highly recommend using freshly squeezed lemon juice.
A better quality juice will complement the vodka and sweetener significantly better and will improve the overall drinking experience.
However, if you do decide to use store-bought lemon juice, make sure to avoid concentrated bottles with pulp.
Sweetener
To balance out the tartness of the lemon juice, sugar is the second key ingredient in Lemon Drop Shots.
The type of sweetener used in this drink varies depending on the recipe, however, the most common typically consists of granulated sugar, a simple syrup and Limoncello (Limoncello is an Italian liqueur with a strong, sweet lemon flavor).
In addition to being used in the actual shot, sugar is also often used in the Lemon Drop Shot as garnish around the rim of the glass for an extra sweet experience.
Vodka
When it comes to the Lemon Drop Shot, any kind of vodka will do the job. However, similarly to the lemon juice, using a higher quality vodka will inevitably improve the flavor of the drink.
Using a vodka with a higher level of alcohol will also naturally increase the potency of the shot.
Achieving the perfect balance between sweet and tart can be challenging and when it comes to the iconic Lemon Drop Shot, ensuring this balance is imperative. I mean, who wants to fall victim to an overly sour or sugary attack to their taste buds?
That’s exactly why we’ve come up with a list of our top favorite Lemon Drop Shot recipes that have not only mastered the sweet-tart balance but have also found unique and creative adaptations of the original drink.
Whether you’re looking for a classic Lemon Drop Shot or are wanting to expand your Lemon Drop Shot horizons with a surprising twist- think pudding and flames- this article has something for everyone.
Get your lemons out and start squeezing because these shots are too good to pass up!
Quick Table: Best Lemon Drop Shots
Recipes | Calories Per Serving | Preparation Time |
Classic Lemon Drop Shot | N/A | 3 Minutes |
Lemon Drop Jello Shots | 239 | 10 Minutes |
Hot Shot Lemon Drop | N/A | 5 Minutes |
Lemon Drop Pudding Shots | N/A | 10 Minutes |
Peach Lemon Drop Shot | N/A | 5 Minutes |
Blueberry Lemon Drop Shot | N/A | 5 Minutes |
Lavender Lemon Drop Shooter | N/A | 5 Minutes |
1. Classic Lemon Drop Shot
If this is your first time trying the Lemon Drop Shot, we highly recommend starting with the basic, classic blend.
Don’t worry, with this recipe, basic definitely doesn’t imply boring. In fact, the OG Lemon Drop Shot is a delicious and reliable fan favorite, served at celebrations time and time again.
To achieve this drink, the traditional trio is put into play: fresh lemon juice, vodka and sweetener.
The specific sweetener used in this recipe is simple syrup, however, if you don’t have any on hand or are too lazy to make any (don’t worry, we all have those days), granulated sugar will also do the trick.
This drink is boozy, lemony and with a yield of 8 servings, perfect for sharing with friends.
Don’t forget to add sugar and a lemon wedge to the rim of the glasses to really enhance the flavors!
Calories Per Serving: N/A
Preparation Time: 3 Minutes
2. Lemon Drop Jello Shots
Regular shots are great, but there’s no denying that jello shots are just a whole lot more fun. And if they come in tiny cups of delicious lemony goodness? Even better!
This Lemon Drop variation is not only unique because of its texture, it also contains an extra special ingredient: Limoncello.
Limoncello is an Italian liqueur that is packed with sweet lemon flavor. It makes a great addition to your Lemon Drop Shot as it enhances the aromas of the lemon juice and brings the booze factor up a notch.
If that wasn’t enough to convince you, these shots can be prepared up to two days in advance and stored in the fridge- that means when it comes time to party, you’ll be able to actually spend time with your guests instead of being stuck in the kitchen.
Get ready to serve these babies to the whole crowd because these shots can be both slurped and eaten with a spoon!
Calories Per Serving: 239
Preparation Time: 10 Minutes
3. Hot Shot Lemon Drop
Add a fiery edge to your lemon drink with these Hot Shot Lemon Drops.
Now, when we say “fiery,” we don’t mean spicy. No, when we say “fiery,” we quite literally mean fire.
That’s right, to create this Lemon Drop variation, you may have to take your bartending skills to the next level- unless you befriend a bartender. Which we highly recommend.
The Hot Shot Lemon drop contains all the basics, including lemon juice, sugar and vodka but adds an extra splash of tequila to really pack a punch.
Now you’re probably eager to hear about the real MVP of the show: the flames. For the purpose of time we’ll let you scroll to the end of this article, where we’ve included a video tutorial on how this all works.
To give you a hint, think sweet flaming lemons.
Calories Per Serving: N/A
Preparation Time: 5 Minutes
4. Lemon Drop Pudding Shots
To turn your Lemon Drop Shots into a literal dessert, this creamy and citrusy alternative is a must.
This variation is definitely more elaborate than the previous recipes but still super simple to make.
Plus, they’re a lot more sophisticated and will put you in the same party mood as the other drinks without making you feel like you’re back in your wild college days.
Lemon Drop Pudding Shots require 7 ingredients: instant lemon pudding, whipped topping, milk, vodka, whipped cream and for an extra special presentation, lemon gummies. Because who doesn’t love booze and candy?
This delightful drink is super impressive to look at and will give you both a dessert and a drink.
Just be sure to plan ahead when making these ones, as they should chill in the fridge at least 30 minutes prior to serving to ensure optimal consistency.
Calories Per Serving: N/A
Preparation Time: 10 Minutes
5. Peach Lemon Drop Shot
When August hits, all we can think about is when, where and how often we can get a taste of anything peach-flavored.
With this Lemon Drop variation, not only do you get a taste of this delicious, juicy fruit, you also get to experience a sassy citrus surprise.
Summer is the perfect time to serve Lemon Drop Shots because of how refreshing they are. Regardless of the occasion, when that hot sun hits, we can’t say no to a little lemon juice- especially when it’s infused with vodka and peach schnapps.
If you love a drink with extra fruity flavor, then this is definitely your go-to.
Calories Per Serving: N/A
Preparation Time: 5 Minutes
RELATED: 20 Best Vodka Cocktails You Can Easily Make At Home
6. Blueberry Lemon Drop Shot
Blueberries and lemons don’t just make a great combination in loaves and muffins, they’re also super delicious in drinks!
This Lemon Drop variation is extra boozy and contains three different types of alcohol to complement the lemon juice- citrus vodka, triple sec (a French orange liqueur) and blueberry schnapps.
With such a diverse range of fruity ingredients, this recipe has a little something for everyone.
But wait- delicious flavor isn’t the only attractive component of this drink. With its beautiful vibrant blue hue, the Blueberry Lemon Drop Shot is also super aesthetic and will be sure to make a statement.
So get your cameras ready because this drink is definitely one you’ll want to brag about on social media!
Hint: to make a raspberry variation of this drink, simply swap out the blueberry schnapps with raspberry puree!
Calories Per Serving: N/A
Preparation Time: 5 Minutes
7. Lavender Lemon Drop Shooter
Break the ice on your next date night with this lovely floral take on the Lemon Drop Shot.
Lavender and lemon pair wonderfully together and are even better when combined with a little liquid courage.
This particular recipe takes a little more prep work than some of the other variations, but we assure you it’s totally worth it.
Plus, that homemade lavender simple syrup is so good, you and your crush will be vibing in no time.
Calories Per Serving: N/A
Preparation Time: 5 Minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is A Lemon Drop Shot?
A Lemon Drop Shot is an alcoholic beverage consisting of three main ingredients: lemon juice, sweetener and vodka.
Although these are the standard components used to make this drink, since its first appearance in the 1970s, Lemon Drop Shots have been adapted into numerous variations.
Some of these variations include Lemon Drop Pudding Shots, Blueberry Lemon Drop Shots and Lavender Lemon Drop Shots.
How Do You Make Lemon Drop Shots?
Lemon Drop Shots are extremely easy to make and can be achieved in just few simple steps:
- Retrieve shot glass/shot glasses of your choice.
- Coat the rim of the glasses in sugar crystals by wetting the rim and gently pressing into the dry ingredient.
- Use a leftover lemon wedge to wet the rim.
- Make sure to shake off any excess sugar afterward.
- Collect all of your ingredients and place ice into a stainless steel shaker.
- Add all of your ingredients to the shaker.
- Shake until all of the ingredients are adequately mixed together (if using sugar, make sure all of it has dissolved).
- Pour into a shot glass and enjoy!
What Percentage Of Alcohol Is Contained In Lemon Drop Shots?
Depending on the recipe, the ratio of vodka to lemon juice varies, however, on average, it tends to be between 2:1 and 4:1.
This, of course, can be altered to fit your personal preferences and if desired, you can also add other liqueurs such as Limoncello or triple sec to balance out the alcohol levels and increase the flavor factor.
Do You Have To Chill Lemon Drop Shots?
Whether or not you choose to chill your Lemon Drop Shots prior to drinking is entirely up to you, however, typically, ice cubes are added to the mix as this makes the shots colder and more refreshing.
The general consensus is that chilled Lemon Drop Shots are more enjoyable.
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