Absolut Citron, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, Triple Sec, Lemon Zest
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add all ingredients. Shake and strain into a pre-chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a lemon twist.
Hot tip:
Use an extra tea strainer to double strain your drink and remove all those pesky bits of pulp and small bits of ice!
Written by Michael Bergström
There has always been a debate about the original ingredients of the Lemon Drop cocktail, particularly whether it should include Triple Sec or not. Nonetheless, this drink gained popularity in the vibrant fern bars of San Francisco during the 1970s’ ’free spirit revolution.’ The concept of combining spirits with citrus traces back to British sailors who brought punches from India to the UK in the late 16th century. To prevent scurvy and mellow the harshness of the spirits, they mixed citrus with whatever they had on hand, like brandy or arrack. These punches were then balanced with spices and sweeteners, resulting in original concoctions. A similar story can be found in Swedish Punsch, where imported arrack was blended with boiling water, lemons, granulated sugar, and spices such as nutmeg. Interestingly, the Lemon Drop is essentially a Vodka Sour, which historians suggest originated from the punches. Fast forward to the 1980s, and the Cosmopolitan, considered a variation of the Lemon Drop, became a global sensation. The world of cocktails and spirits is like a vast, ancient tree with branches and leaves, representing the diverse creations and influences within it.
What is a Lemon Drop Made of?
The Lemon Drop consists of Vodka, Lemon Juice, and sugar, which is essentially the same as a Vodka Sour. It’s easy to make, but also easy to mess up. First of all, to achieve that extra lemon kick, make sure to use Absolut Citron. Second, avoid using anything other than freshly squeezed lemon juice for your Lemon Drop. Despite some packaged products claiming to be ’Fresh lemon’ or ’Real lemon,’ they don't compare to the real thing. Third, for the sweetener, prepare a simple syrup by combining equal parts water and caster sugar in a saucepan. Heat it until the sugar dissolves, then let it cool in the fridge before using. As a final touch, garnish your Lemon Drop with a zest of lemon.
What's the difference between a Lemon Drop Shot and a Lemon Drop Martini?
To make it simple, it’s just about the glass and volume, they still contain the same simple ingredients. One is just served small as a shot and the other as martini.
What you need
Tools & Glassware:
Shaker
Strainer
Citrus Press
Pre-chilled cocktail glass
Ingredients:
Absolut Citron
Triple Sec
Simple Syrup
Lemons
Ice
Step By Step
• Grab your shaker and fill it with Ice
• Add Absolut Citron, Triple Sec, Simple Syrup and fresh squeezed lemon juice.
• Shake until the shaker gets so cold you can’t feel your hands anymore
• Pour the beautifully aerated cocktail into your pre-chilled cocktail glass
• Garnish with a Lemon Twist and enjoy!