Lemon Drop Shots Recipe

Vodka: The base spirit for the shots, providing a smooth and neutral flavor.

Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed for a bright and tangy taste.

Simple syrup: Adds sweetness to balance the tartness of the lemon juice.

Lemon: A slice used for garnish to enhance presentation.

Sugar: Used for rimming the shot glasses to add a sweet touch.

When rimming the shot glasses with sugar, ensure the rim is evenly coated by first dipping the glass in a shallow plate of lemon juice and then into the sugar. This creates a balanced sweet and tangy flavor that complements the lemon drop shots.

• vodka - Substitute with gin: Gin can provide a different botanical flavor profile that complements the citrus notes.

• vodka - Substitute with white rum: White rum offers a slightly sweeter and more tropical taste, which can add a unique twist.

• freshly squeezed lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice has a similar acidity and tartness, making it a good alternative.

• freshly squeezed lemon juice - Substitute with grapefruit juice: Grapefruit juice provides a slightly bitter and tangy flavor that can work well in the shot.

• simple syrup - Substitute with agave syrup: Agave syrup is a natural sweetener with a mild flavor that blends well with other ingredients.

• simple syrup - Substitute with honey syrup: Honey syrup adds a richer, more complex sweetness to the shot.

• lemon - Substitute with lime: Lime slices can be used for garnish and offer a similar visual appeal and flavor.

• lemon - Substitute with orange: Orange slices provide a sweeter and slightly different citrus note for garnish.

• sugar - Substitute with salt: Salt can create a contrasting flavor profile, enhancing the overall taste experience.

• sugar - Substitute with coconut sugar: Coconut sugar offers a caramel-like sweetness and can add a unique twist to the rim.

• To keep your lemon drop shots fresh and ready for any spontaneous gathering, follow these steps:

  • Refrigeration: Store the mixed vodka, lemon juice, and simple syrup in an airtight container. This blend can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Before serving, give it a good shake to ensure all ingredients are well combined.
  • Freezing: For longer storage, pour the mixture into an ice cube tray and freeze. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer-safe bag. These lemon drop cubes can be stored for up to a month. When ready to serve, simply thaw the cubes in a shaker with ice and strain into shot glasses.
  • Pre-rimmed Glasses: If you want to save time, pre-rim your shot glasses with sugar and store them in a cool, dry place. Cover them with plastic wrap to keep the rims fresh and free from moisture.
  • Garnish Preparation: Slice your lemons and store the slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This ensures they stay fresh and ready for garnishing your shots.

• For those who love to plan ahead, consider these tips:

  • Batch Preparation: Mix larger quantities of the lemon drop ingredients and store in a large pitcher or bottle. This is perfect for parties or events where you need to serve multiple shots quickly.
  • Flavor Enhancements: Experiment with adding a touch of fruit zest or a splash of flavored vodka before freezing. This can add a unique twist to your lemon drop shots and impress your guests.

• Remember, the key to maintaining the perfect lemon drop shot is to keep it cold and fresh. Whether you're refrigerating, freezing, or prepping in advance, these guidelines will ensure your shots are always a hit.

• Place the leftover lemon drop shots in the refrigerator to keep them chilled and fresh.
• When ready to reheat, pour the shots into a small saucepan.
• Gently warm the mixture over low heat, stirring occasionally. Be careful not to let it boil, as this can alter the flavor of the vodka and lemon juice.
• Alternatively, you can use a microwave. Pour the shots into a microwave-safe container and heat on low power in 10-second intervals, stirring in between, until just warmed.
• Once warmed, pour the mixture back into shot glasses.
• Rim the shot glasses with sugar again if needed.
• Garnish with a fresh lemon slice and serve immediately.

• Shot glasses: Small glasses used to serve the lemon drop shots.

• Shaker: A container used to mix the vodka, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice.

• Strainer: A tool used to strain the mixed drink into the shot glasses, ensuring no ice gets into the final drink.

• Lemon squeezer: A tool to extract fresh lemon juice efficiently.

• Knife: Used to cut the lemon slices for garnish.

• Cutting board: A surface to safely cut the lemon slices.

• Small plate: Used to hold the sugar for rimming the shot glasses.

• Measuring jigger: A tool to measure the vodka, lemon juice, and simple syrup accurately.

• Ice: Used in the shaker to chill the drink mixture.

Prepare ingredients in advance: Measure out vodka, lemon juice, and simple syrup ahead of time to streamline the process.

Use a citrus juicer: A citrus juicer will quickly extract lemon juice without much effort.

Pre-rim glasses: Rim the shot glasses with sugar before starting to mix the drink.

Batch preparation: If making multiple shots, scale up the ingredients and mix in a larger shaker to save time.

Chill ingredients: Keep vodka and lemon juice chilled in the fridge to reduce the need for extra ice.