• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
New South Charm:
  • Home
  • Appetizers
  • Main Dish
  • Side Dishes
  • Dessert
  • Drinks & Cocktails
You are here: Home / Drinks & Cocktails / Lemon Drop Shots

Lemon Drop Shots

April 20, 2023 by Susanne Leave a Comment

Tweet
Pin158
Share
Email
158 Shares

These Lemon Drop Shots are made with fresh squeezed lemon juice, simple syrup, vodka, and a lemon sugar rim. The shots come together easily and pack a punch with their sweet, and tart flavors. 

Three Lemon Drop Shots with lemon and sugar rims in tall shot glasses.

Who doesn’t love a great party drink? When we have friends over I always try to make a cocktail to serve early on that inspires a good time. In the past I’ve done pitchers of Beer Margaritas and Big Batch Moscow Mules or Pear and Apple Sangria. I’ve also served classics like Martinis and an Old Fashioned. Last summer I did these nonalcoholic Frosted Lemonades which everyone loved! 

These Lemon Drop Shots were inspired by a similar drink we recently enjoyed on vacation. Similar in flavor to a Lemon Drop Martini these delicious little drinks an be tossed back quick or sipped on slowly depending on the person. 

Three Lemon Drop Shots in tall shot glasses with a lemon slices.

How to make Lemon Drop Shots:

Scroll to bottom of page for the full printable recipe!

Ingredients:

  • Vodka
  • Simple Syrup
  • Lemons
  • Lemon Juice
  • Granulated Sugar
  • Ice

Measured ingredients needed to make these cocktails presented in white pinch bowls on a marble countertop.

Instructions: 

  1. Place ice, vodka, simple syrup, and all but 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice in a shaker. Close and shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Set aside.
  2. On a plate, mix lemon zest together with sugar together until well combined.
  3. Rim each shot glass with a bit of lemon juice then dip the glasses in the lemon zest sugar mixture. Optional.
  4. Pour the drink into each shot glass and serve immediately.

Shot glass rim being dipped into the lemon zest and sugar mixture.

What if I don’t have a cocktail shaker?

Cocktail shakers are available at most big box stores and there are tons of them listed on Amazon. If you’re in a pinch and need something right away try one of these suggestions.

If you don’t have a cocktail shaker don’t worry there a a couple alternatives you can use and chances are you have them on hand. Try a mason jar or really any empty glass jar with a lid will work great. An insulated water bottle or coffee cup will also work. 

Two Lemon Drop Shots sit next to a cocktail shaker.

Substitutions and Variations:

Lemon Juice. Fresh lemon juice is best for this cocktail but you can use bottled lemon juice if you have it. 

Simple Syrup. You can buy bottled simple syrup at the grocery store or you local liquor store. You can also make it very easily by combining one cup of granulated sugar with one cup water in a pot on the stove over medium heat until all the sugar melts. Left over simple syrup can be stored a tightly sealed bottle or jar in the fridge for up to a month.

Agave Nectar. You can swap the  5 ounces simple syrup for 5 ounces agave nectar.

Vodka, vodka, vodka. Lemon Drops are traditionally made with vodka but you can make these with gin or even tequila if you’d rather. 

A single shot garnished with a lemon slice and a mint leaf sits on a marble countertop.

Notes and Tips:

Choose a good vodka. Because there aren’t a lot of internets in these shots you’ll want to choose a good vodka without a lot of bite. My favorite vodka is Tito’s. There is always a bottle on my bar cart. A couple other good choices of vodka at a reasonable price point are Grey Goose and Belvedere. 

This recipe will make five to eight shots depending on the size of your shot glasses. I used 2 ounce shot glasses but if you use a traditional 1.5 ounce shot glass you’ll have more individual shots.

Can I make these cocktails in advance?

You can prepare certain parts of these Lemon Drop Shots in advance but I recommend waiting to mix everything together until right before you serve these. 

To make in advance combine mix together the simple syrup and vodka, but omit the lemon juice. Then before you serve these pour vodka mixture, with lemon juice over ice and shake.

You can also prepare the glass with the lemon sugar rim in advance to save time if you’re serving these at a party.

Cheers Y’all!

Susanne 

Print

Lemon Drop Shots

These Lemon Drop Shots are made with fresh squeezed lemon juice, simple syrup, vodka, and a lemon sugar rim. The shots come together easily and pack a punch with their sweet, and tart flavors. 
Course Cocktail
Cuisine American
Keyword Lemon Drop, Lemon Drop Shot
Prep Time 5 minutes
Servings 8 shots
Calories 105 kcal
Susanne Susanne

Ingredients

  • 1 cup ice
  • 6 ounces vodka
  • 5 ounces simple syrup
  • 5 ounces lemon juice freshly squeezed, divided
  • 1 lemon zested
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar

Instructions

  1. Place ice, vodka, simple syrup, and all but 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice in a shaker. Close and shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Set aside.
  2. On a plate, mix lemon zest together with sugar until well combined.
  3. Rim each shot glass with a bit of lemon juice then dip the glasses in the lemon zest sugar mixture. Optional.
  4. Pour the drink into each shot glass and serve immediately.

Recipe Notes

  1. Choose a good vodka. Because there aren’t a lot of internets in these shots you’ll want to choose a good vodka without a lot of bite.
  2. This recipe will make five to eight shots depending on the size of your shot glasses. I used 2 ounce shot glasses but if you use a traditional 1.5 ounce shot glass you’ll have more individual shots.
  3. Nutritional information is estimated. Amounts will vary based on ingredient choices and serving sizes.
Nutrition Facts
Lemon Drop Shots
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 105 Calories from Fat 1
% Daily Value*
Fat 0.1g0%
Saturated Fat 0.01g0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.02g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.003g
Sodium 12mg1%
Potassium 48mg1%
Carbohydrates 15g5%
Fiber 0.4g2%
Sugar 14g16%
Protein 0.2g0%
Vitamin A 4IU0%
Vitamin C 14mg17%
Calcium 8mg1%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Filed Under: Drinks & Cocktails

Southern Style Mashed Potatoes

Southern Style Mashed Potatoes

Macaroni and Tomatoes

Macaroni and Tomatoes

Fried Green Tomatoes

Fried Green Tomatoes

Southern Style Fried Okra

Southern Style Fried Okra

Southern Style Green Beans

Southern Style Green Beans

Southern Style Fried Squash

Southern Style Fried Squash

Previous Post: « Fresh Strawberry Bundt Cake
Next Post: Strawberry Lemon Blondies »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Hi! I’m Susanne.

Picture of the author

Just a simple girl raised in the South who loves to cook. I've tried recipes for everything from ambrosia to zucchini. My favorite foods are the ones that bring family together. I love to spend time in the kitchen. I'm so excited to share my kitchen with you!

Read More

SEARCH

Categories

Subscribe to my weekly newsletter to receive the latest recipes, news, and more!

we respect your privacy and take protecting it seriously

Recent Posts

  • Southern Chicken Salad
  • German Potato Salad
  • Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
  • Chicken Parmesan Casserole
  • Five Recipes for Chocolate Chip Muffins

Popular Posts

Chocolate pie topped with whipped cream on a white plate.

Old Fashioned Chocolate Pie

Easy Smoked Sausage and Rice Skillet served in a white bowl with fork.

Easy Smoked Sausage and Rice Skillet

Monterey Chicken Spaghetti

Garlic Parmesan Shrimp

English Muffin Breakfast Pizza

Skillet Corn in a blue and white bowl.

Southern Style Skillet Corn

Favorite Southern Sides

Southern Style Mashed Potatoes

Southern Style Mashed Potatoes

Macaroni and Tomatoes

Macaroni and Tomatoes

Fried Green Tomatoes

Fried Green Tomatoes

Southern Style Fried Okra

Southern Style Fried Okra

Southern Style Green Beans

Southern Style Green Beans

Southern Style Fried Squash

Southern Style Fried Squash

Footer

As Seen On:

Copyright © 2025 New South Charm

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkRead more