A classic lemon cocktail recipe perfect for using up fresh lemons, this Lemon Drop Cocktail is a sweet and tart cocktail perfect for a ladies’ night or after dinner cocktails.

Lemon Drop Cocktail Recipe

As 70’s fashion and decor makes its come back with retro side tables and all things tassels, crochet, lace, and bell-bottoms, we would be remiss to miss out on some of the best contributions from the 70’s: inventive cocktails.

The lemon drop cocktail is one of the best mainstays from the 1970s when it was invented in a singles “fern bar” – classically decorated with wooden paneling, fake Tiffany’s lamps, and yes, lots of overgrown ferns. It’s a riff on a classic martini and is still perfect for those who want a strong cocktail, but don’t really have a taste for alcohol.

This lemon drop cocktail recipe reminds me of sour candy, it’s got a perfect sweet-pucker effect, especially when you add the sugared rib (just like sugared candies).

This is definitely a dessert cocktail, as it’s a bit too sweet to pair with a meal, but it is perfect for sipping on with friends – especially in the summer.

If you need a spicy lemon cocktail to serve alongside as a fun alternative, my Spicy Lemon Club Cocktail would be the perfect addition to a Sweet n ‘Spicy cocktail duo.

Ingredients for a Lemon Drop Cocktail

• 4 oz vodka
• 1 oz triple sec
• 2 oz simple syrup
• 2 oz lemon juice
• Lemon, for zesting

Tip: you can use any orange-flavored liquor to replace triple sec if you don’t have it.

Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful:

• Cocktail shaker
• Liquid measure
• Shallow plate
• Citrus zester
• Chopstick

How to Make a Lemon Drop Cocktail

First, sugar the rim of your glass.

You can use simple syrup to attach the sugar to the rim or water. It’s a personal preference.

Place the sanding sugar in a shallow dish big enough to fit the mouth of your glass in.

Wet the edges of the glasses (using either simple syrup or water) and then immediately dip the edge into the sanding sugar, rotating to coat the edge completely.

Set aside.

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add the remaining ingredients.

Attach lid and shake well.

Divide the lemon drop cocktail between your glasses.

Zest or cut two small strips of lemon skin from your lemon, and then twist well.

(I find a chopstick is great for helping get a nice spiral, but you can just twist with your fingers.)

Garnish the glass with the lemon twist and serve.

Do you have a favorite classic cocktail that we haven’t made yet? Leave us a comment and we’ll add it to our list!

Check our more cocktails from the blog below!

Lemon Drop Cocktail

Course: Cocktails

Cuisine: American

Keyword: alcohol, lemon, martini, vodka

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Servings: 2

Calories: 258 kcal

Author: AmandasCookin.com

This Lemon Drop Cocktail is a sweet and tart cocktail perfect for a ladies' night or after dinner cocktails, making the perfect alcoholic dessert.

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Ingredients

• 4 oz vodka
• 1 oz triple sec
• 2 oz simple syrup
• 2 oz lemon juice
• 1 lemon zest

Instructions

1. First, sugar the rim of your glass.

   Place the sanding sugar in a shallow dish big enough to fit the mouth of your glass in.
   

   Wet the edges of the glasses (using either simple syrup or water) and then immediately dip the edge into the sanding sugar, rotating to coat the edge completely.
   

   Set aside.

2. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add the remaining ingredients.

   Attach lid and shake well.

   Divide the lemon drop cocktail between your glasses.

3. Zest two small strip of lemon skin from your lemon, and then twist well.

   Garnish the glass with the lemon twist and serve.

Recipe Video

Nutrition Facts

Lemon Drop Cocktail

Amount Per Serving (1 glass)

Calories 258

% Daily Value*

Sodium 18mg 1%

Potassium 47mg 1%

Total Carbohydrates 27g 9%

Sugars 26g

Vitamin C 18%

Iron 5.7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.