Lemon Drop Shots Recipe

Vodka: Provides the alcoholic base for the shot, giving it a smooth and clean flavor.

Lemon juice: Adds a fresh and tangy citrus flavor, balancing the sweetness and alcohol.

Simple syrup: Sweetens the shot, making it more palatable and balancing the tartness of the lemon juice.

Lemon: Used as a garnish, adding a visual appeal and a hint of extra citrus aroma.

Sugar: Used for rimming the glasses, adding a sweet contrast to the tangy shot.

When rimming the shot glasses with sugar, ensure the rim is evenly coated by first dipping the glass in a shallow dish of lemon juice before dipping it into the sugar. This helps the sugar adhere better and creates a balanced sweet and sour experience with each sip.

• vodka - Substitute with gin: Gin can provide a botanical twist to the shot, adding complexity to the flavor profile.

• vodka - Substitute with white rum: White rum offers a sweeter and slightly tropical note, which can be a pleasant variation.

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

• freshly squeezed lemon juice - Substitute with citric acid solution: A diluted citric acid solution can mimic the tartness of lemon juice without the fruit flavor.

• simple syrup - Substitute with agave syrup: Agave syrup is a natural sweetener that dissolves easily and has a mild flavor.

• simple syrup - Substitute with honey syrup: Honey syrup (honey mixed with water) adds a floral sweetness that complements the citrus.

• lemon slice - Substitute with lime slice: Lime slices provide a similar visual appeal and a complementary citrus flavor.

• lemon slice - Substitute with orange slice: Orange slices add a slightly sweeter and less tart garnish option.

• sugar - Substitute with salt: Salt can create a contrasting flavor profile, enhancing the sweetness of the shot.

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

• To preserve the vibrant flavor of your lemon drop shots, store the vodka, lemon juice, and simple syrup mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This will keep the ingredients fresh and ready for your next gathering.

• If you plan to make the shots ahead of time, mix the vodka, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a shaker and store the mixture in a sealed bottle. This can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just give it a good shake before serving.

• For an extended shelf life, consider freezing the lemon drop shots mixture. Pour the combined ingredients into an ice cube tray and freeze until solid. Transfer the frozen cubes to a freezer-safe bag or container. When you're ready to serve, simply thaw the cubes in a shaker with ice and strain into shot glasses.

• If you prefer a slushy texture, blend the frozen lemon drop shots cubes with a bit of ice in a blender. This creates a refreshing, icy version of the classic shot, perfect for hot summer days.

• Always garnish with a fresh lemon slice and rim the glasses with sugar just before serving to ensure the best presentation and taste.

• Pour the vodka, lemon juice, and simple syrup mixture into a heatproof container.
• Place the container in a bowl of warm water, ensuring the water level is below the rim to prevent any from seeping in.
• Stir gently until the mixture reaches room temperature, preserving the delicate balance of flavors.
• Alternatively, use a sous-vide method by sealing the mixture in a vacuum bag and immersing it in a water bath set to a precise temperature of 120°F (49°C) for a few minutes.
• Avoid using a microwave, as it can alter the taste and consistency of the lemon drop shots.
• Once warmed, pour the mixture back into the prepared shot glasses, rimmed with sugar and garnished with a fresh lemon slice.

• Shaker: Used to combine and chill the vodka, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice.

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

• Ice: Essential for chilling the mixture in the shaker.

• Strainer: Helps to pour the liquid from the shaker into the shot glasses without the ice.

• Lemon squeezer: Used to extract fresh lemon juice efficiently.

• Knife: Needed to cut the lemon slice for garnish.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe surface to slice the lemon.

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

Pre-rim the glasses: Rim the shot glasses with sugar ahead of time and store them in the fridge.

Use bottled lemon juice: If you're in a hurry, use high-quality bottled lemon juice instead of squeezing fresh lemons.

Batch your simple syrup: Make a large batch of simple syrup and store it in the fridge for future use.

Pre-chill ingredients: Keep your vodka and lemon juice chilled to reduce shaking time.

Use a measuring tool: Use a jigger or measuring cup to quickly and accurately measure your ingredients.