Love lemon candy or lemon pie? Then the Lemon Drop is your cocktail soulmate! It might look sugary, but its sweet tart flavor is perfectly balanced. There’s just the right zip from the lemon, complimented by a subtle zing from orange liqueur. Take a sip and you’ll raise your eyebrows in appreciation (at least, we did). A crunchy sugar rim adds just the right finishing touch. Here’s how to make this famous vodka cocktail!
What is a Lemon Drop?
The Lemon Drop is a vodka cocktail made with vodka, lemon juice, orange liqueur and simple syrup. Named after the candy of the same name, it was invented in the 1970’s at Henry Africa’s, a singles bar in San Francisco. The inventor of the drink is unknown, but some people credit it to the founder of the bar, Norman Jay Hobday. It’s also known as a Lemon Drop Martini. The Lemon Drop took off, and became an iconic drink known around the world. Oprah even dubbed it a favorite after making it with Rachael Ray on her show in 2006.
Ingredients in a lemon drop recipe
What’s in a Lemon Drop recipe? This drink follows the formula of a classic sour cocktail: liquor, citrus, and orange liqueur. Several classic drinks have this same makeup, from the Margarita to the Sidecar (and even the Cosmo). Here are the ingredients you’ll need:
VodkaLemon juiceCointreau or Triple SecSimple syrup
How to make a Lemon Drop: basic steps!
This drink is essentially a lemon-flavored vodka martini, and it follows the typical formula of many cocktails: shake and strain! The only tricky parts here? A classic Lemon Drop recipe has a sugar rim and a lemon twist. Here’s how to make a Lemon Drop:
Orange liqueur: Cointreau vs Triple Sec
The best part of this Lemon Drop recipe? The orange liqueur! It adds a bright sweetness, and the subtle citrus nuance compliments the lemon perfectly. Don’t think about substituting it! We like to use Cointreau as our orange liqueur of choice, but Triple Sec works too. Here’s what to know about Cointreau vs Triple Sec:
Cointreau is a premium orange liqueur with a developed-orange perfume flavor. It has a sophisticated flavor with notes of oak and vanilla. It’s our go-to orange liqueur, especially in a Margarita. Triple Sec is slightly less refined in flavor than Cointreau, and it’s less expensive. It has a very straightforward orange essence, almost like orange vodka. Either one works here!
More lemon cocktails
Love the citrusy zing of lemon in your cocktails? Here are more must-try lemon cocktails you’ll love:
Go big on lemon flavor with a Limoncello Mojito, Limoncello Martini, or Limoncello SpritzTry boozy lemonades like Whiskey Lemonade, Vodka Lemonade, Tequila Lemonade, Rum Lemonade, or Gin LemonadeTry lemon classics, like Whiskey Sour, Sidecar, Southside, Gin Fizz, Tom Collins or French 75
4.5 from 2 reviews
