How to Make a Lemon Drop

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, ⁄2 fluid ounce (15 mL) of orange liqueur, and ⁄2 fluid ounce (15 mL) of simple syrup to add in as well.

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. Shaking ensures that neither the alcohol flavor nor the juice flavor will take center stage—instead, you'll have a perfect, balanced taste.

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. 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.

Pour your drink and add a lemon garnish. 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!

Lemon Drop Shot

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: 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.

Coat your shot glass’ rim with lemon and sugar. 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.

Add sugar to your shot glass. 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.

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! Then, give your shot a quick stir with your cocktail shaker's mixing spoon.