Lemon Drop Shots Recipe

Fun shots for any party, these Easy Vodka Lemon Drop Shots with a granulated sugar rim are a fresh and festive treat that's ready in minutes!

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Why You’ll Love Lemon Drop Shots

This easy lemon drop shot recipe is one of my favorite shot recipes! Made with simple ingredients like  fresh lemon juice, good quality vodka and sugar- these lemon drop shooters are perfect for your next party, and ready in minutes!

These tart, sweet and refreshing shots go down REALLY easy, and the natural flavors of the fresh ingredients really shine through. I love to make a large batch of lemon drop shots for summer parties and BBQs!

With a tasty sugared rim, this easy lemon drop cocktail is the perfect way to celebrate with friends! Whip up a batch of these shots for your next party! 

Ingredients

These fresh and delicious shots couldn't be easier to make! Here's what you'll need to make a great lemon drop shot:

• Fresh squeezed lemon juice. Say no to bottled, and juice those bad boys yourself. What really sets this lemon drop shots recipe apart is the freshly squeezed lemon juice!
• Good Quality Vodka. Since this is a clean, fresh, 3-ingredient shot, you want to use a good quality, very drinkable vodka. My pick is always Stateside Vodka. Second up, Tito's or Grey Goose. High quality is key for the best shots! 
• Simple syrup. You can either make your own simple syrup, or use store bought. To make homemade simple syrup, you'll need equal parts sugar and water. Bring to to a boil, and stir to dissolve sugar. Once boiling. reduce heat to low and simmer 5 minutes. Allow to cool, and voila- you've got simple syrup. You can even do fun flavored syrup the same way!
• Coarse sugar, for garnish (if desired). A cute little shot glass and a perfect sugared rim make these shots a standout at parties and gatherings! I love these tiny mason jar shot glasses. You can also garnish each shot with a cute little lemon wedge!

Substitutions and Additions

Once you have the basics down on how to make a lemon drop shot, you can play with the recipe a bit to make it your own! Here are some great swaps and additions:

• Add some fresh lemon zest to the sugared rim (aka lemon sugar). 
• Serve them with a sugared lemon wedge (coat a slice of lemon in sugar). You can also do this with simple syrup lemon wedges (dipping the lemons in simple syrup, and then applying a dusting of granulated sugar for crunch!
• For best flavor, use a good vodka (smooth vodka), such as Stateside. Another popular choice is Grey Goose. Go with your favorite vodka when in doubt. 
• Make a rim out of crushed lemon drop candies!
• Garnish each shot with a lemon slice and keep it simple. 
• Use superfine sugar or Turbinado sugar for the rims instead of plain white sugar! 
• Get fancy and add a lemon twist! 
• Try a citrus vodka for extra flavor. 
• Use meyer lemons in place of regular lemons. 

Make ahead

If you'd like to make the shots in advance, You could set aside a pre-mixed portion of the lemon juice, vodka and simple syrup in a container until ready to serve. Once ready to serve, you can add the sugar rim to the shot glasses, and shake the mixture over ice.

Tools

• A stainless steel shaker. 
• A plate for the sugar to apply to the shot glass rim. 
• A juicer for the lemons. 
• Standard 1.5 oz shot glasses You could use larger 2+ ounce shot glasses, but keep in mind this recipe makes 6 standard shots. 

Want to save these lemon drop shots for later? Pin the recipe!

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Making your own simple syrup

Add sugar and water to a small saucepan. Heat over medium-high, and bring to to a boil, and stir to dissolve sugar. Once boiling. reduce heat to low and simmer 5 minutes. Cool and serve.

Leftover lasts in the refrigerator up to 3 weeks in an airtight container!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make a large batch of these shots?

Yes! This recipe makes 6 shots, but you can easily scale it up to make 12 or more! Just double (or triple) the ingredients!

How do I get the perfect balance of sweet and sour for the shots?

Always taste before you serve. If you take a sip and it's a bit too sweet, add more vodka or lemon juice. A bit too sour? Add a bit more simple syrup.

Can I use bottled lemon juice for this recipe?

For best results, I recommend using fresh squeezed lemon juice. If you opt for the bottled stuff, you may need to adjust the recipe accordingly, and add more simple syrup, as the bottle lemon juice can be a bit more sour and bitter.

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