Creative Twists on the Classic Lemon Drop Shot

The lemon drop shot is well-liked because it combines citrus with booze in a way that is both smooth and strong. The original lemon drop is delicious, but half the pleasure of making lemon drops is coming up with creative variations on the original.

You can put your own unique spin on this shot by replacing the lemon with another bright citrus fruit, adding spices, infusing liquors, or experimenting with other novel combinations.

You’re in for a treat as you read about some of the most common variants on the classic lemon drop shot. The recipes are supplied so that you can try various preparations of this popular libation.

Citrus Variations

Lime Drop

The shot gets its tropical flair from the lime, whose juice gives it a tangy, margarita-like flavor. More sugar is required to counteract the strong acidity of the lime.

Ingredients:

• 1 1⁄2 oz vodka
• 1⁄2 oz fresh lime juice
• 3⁄4 oz simple syrup
• Lime wedge and salt or sugar for rim

Instructions:

Shake vodka, lime juice and simple syrup with ice. Strain into salt or sugar-rimmed glass.

Grapefruit Drop

Grapefruit is the citrus of choice if you like a milder, more mellow taste. The sweetness is perfectly complemented by the tang of the grapefruit.

Ingredients:

• 1 1⁄2 oz vodka
• 1⁄4 oz lemon juice
• 1⁄4 oz grapefruit juice
• 1⁄2 oz simple syrup
• Grapefruit wedge and salt or sugar for rim

Instructions:

Shake vodka, juices and simple syrup with ice. Strain into rimmed glass.

Blood Orange Drop

When compared to regular lemons, blood oranges are a refreshing change due to their unique, not-too-sour flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 1⁄2 oz vodka
• 1⁄2 oz blood orange juice
• 1⁄2 oz simple syrup
• Orange wedge and salt or sugar for rim

Instructions:

Shake vodka, blood orange juice and simple syrup with ice. Strain into rimmed glass.

Read More: The Lemon Drop Shot – A Tart, Sweet Party in a Glass

Berry Lemon Drops

Raspberry Lemon Drop

The tart lemon complements the sweet, jammy raspberry well. Reduce the amount of simple syrup used.

Ingredients:

• 1 1⁄2 vodka
• 1⁄2 oz lemon juice
• 1⁄4 oz simple syrup
• 1⁄2 oz raspberry purée
• Lemon wedge and sugar for rim

Instructions:

Shake vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup and raspberry purée with ice. Strain into sugar-rimmed glass.

Strawberry Lemon Drop

The sweetness of strawberries complements the tartness of lemon, just as raspberry does with raspberry. Reduce the amount of simple syrup to bring out the strawberry flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 1⁄2 oz vodka
• 1⁄2 oz lemon juice
• 1⁄4 oz simple syrup
• 1⁄2 oz strawberry purée
• Lemon wedge and sugar for rim

Instructions:

Shake vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup and strawberry purée with ice. Strain into sugar-rimmed glass.

Blueberry Lemon Drop

The blueberry not only sweetens the dish but also gives it a lovely blue color. To counteract the blueberry’s natural acidity, the simple syrup could use a little help.

Ingredients:

• 1 1⁄2 oz vodka
• 1⁄2 oz lemon juice
• 1⁄2 oz blueberry purée
• 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 oz simple syrup
• Lemon wedge and sugar for rim

Instructions:

Blend blueberry purée, lemon juice, simple syrup, and vodka in a shaker with ice. Filter into a glass with a sugar rim.

Herbal & Floral Lemon Drops

Lavender Lemon Drop

The lemon drop has a nice, perfume-like scent thanks to the lavender syrup. The sweetness complements the sourness of the lemon.

Ingredients:

• 1 1⁄2 oz vodka
• 1⁄2 oz lemon juice
• 1⁄4 oz lavender syrup
• Lemon wedge and lavender sugar for rim

Instructions:

Ice-shake a mixture of vodka, lemon juice, and lavender syrup. Pour into a glass rimmed with lavender sugar.

Rose Lemon Drop

Like lavender, rose syrup lends its soft, petally flavor and sweetness to the tart lemon.

Ingredients:

• 1 1⁄2 oz vodka
• 1⁄2 oz lemon juice
• 1⁄4 oz rose syrup
• Lemon wedge and rose sugar for rim

Instructions:

Shake vodka, lemon juice and rose syrup with ice. Strain into rose sugar-rimmed glass.

Basil Lemon Drop

The herbaceous touch of fresh basil is a pleasant surprise. If you want better balance between flavors, use vodka with lemon.

Ingredients:

• 1 1⁄2 oz lemon vodka or regular vodka
• 1⁄2 oz lemon juice
• 3-4 basil leaves
• 1⁄4 oz simple syrup
• Lemon wedge and basil sugar for rim

Instructions:

Mix the vodka with the muddled basil leaves. Mix in some simple syrup and fresh lemon juice, then mix in some ice. Glass rimmed with basil sugar, then double strain.

Thyme Lemon Drop

Thyme has an earthy, woodsy quality that complements the bright lemon nicely.

Ingredients:

• 1 1⁄2 oz vodka
• 1⁄2 oz lemon juice
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1⁄4 oz simple syrup
• Lemon wedge and thyme sugar for rim

Instructions:

Mix the thyme sprigs and vodka together and muddle. Mix in some simple syrup and fresh lemon juice, then mix in some ice. Double strain into a glass rimmed with thyme sugar.

Spicy Lemon Drops

Cayenne Lemon Drop

The sweetness of the lemon went wonderfully with the mild heat of the cayenne. You can adjust the heat by adding more or less of the spice.

Ingredients:

• 1 1⁄2 oz vodka
• 1⁄2 oz lemon juice
• 1⁄2 oz simple syrup
• Pinch of cayenne pepper
• Cayenne sugar for rim

Instructions:

Mix ice, lemon juice, simple syrup, and cayenne pepper in a shaker. Put in a strainer and serve in a glass rimmed with cayenne sugar.

Jalapeño Lemon Drop

Crank up the heat by muddling in some fresh jalapeo slices. The key is to temper the heat such that it complements rather than overpowers the other flavors.

Ingredients:

• 1 1⁄2 oz vodka
• 1⁄2 oz lemon juice
• 1⁄2 oz simple syrup
• 2-3 jalapeño rings
• Cayenne sugar for rim

Instructions:

Mix the vodka with the mashed jalapeo. Mix in some simple syrup and fresh lemon juice, then mix in some ice. Double strain into a glass rimmed with cayenne sugar.

Whiskey Spice Lemon Drop

The warmth of whiskey and spice makes a nice twist on the vodka version.

Ingredients:

• 1 1⁄2 oz whiskey
• 1⁄2 oz lemon juice
• 1⁄2 oz simple syrup
• Dash of ground cinnamon

Instructions: Shake whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup and cinnamon with ice. Strain into sugar-rimmed glass.

Lemon Drops with Carbonation

Lemon Drop Fizz

Topping the shot with bubbly soda water creates a refreshing, lighter version.

Ingredients:

• 1 1⁄2 vodka
• 1⁄2 oz lemon juice
• 1⁄2 oz simple syrup
• 1 oz soda water
• Lemon wedge and sugar for rim

Instructions:

Shake vodka, lemon juice and simple syrup with ice and strain into sugar-rimmed glass. Top with soda water.

Lemon Drop Freeze Pop

Combine with lemon sorbet and blend until smooth; serve in a sugar-rimmed glass for an enjoyable frozen slushie. Put a pop of lemon wheel on top if you want.

The Bottom Line

As you can see, the variations on the classic lemon drop shot are practically endless. While lemon and sugar are at the core, herbs, berries, spices, citrus swaps and inventive infusions can take this shot to creative new heights.

So grab some vodka, limes, blueberries or whatever you fancy, and get shaking up some personalized lemon drop magic. Just remember to scale back the sweetener as needed when adding juicy fruit or sweet liqueurs. Na zdorovie!