Lemon Drop
Vodka · Coupe
A sweet and sour cocktail that gained popularity in the 1970s California bar scene. This vodka-based drink balances citrus with sugar for a crowd-pleasing profile.
| Glass | Coupe |
| Garnish | None |
| ABV | 22% |
| Category | modern |
| Flavor | sweet, sour, citrus, balanced |
Ingredients
- Vodka2 oz
- Fresh Lemon Juice1 oz
- Simple Syrup0.5 oz
- Sugar1 rim
- Lemon Wheel1 piece
Method
- Rim glass with sugar
- Add vodka, lemon juice, and simple syrup to shaker with ice
- Shake vigorously and strain into sugar-rimmed glass
- Garnish with lemon wheel
Pro Tips
- Superfine sugar on the rim — granulated falls off; powdered melts.
- Absolut Citron was invented in 1988 expressly to serve this drink — it's the canonical vodka.
- A candied lemon peel beats a plain twist; make them ahead and keep in simple syrup.