Lemon drop shots have a lemony, sweet, and sour taste and are fun to drink. It is a combination of the sweetness of sugar with the tartness of lemon. You can prepare it using a cold drink, lemon juice, sugar, and salt.


You can make a Lemon Drop Shot in a cocktail shaker and strain it into shot glasses. One can prepare these shots in a few minutes, and they are bang on at home parties or night outs.

These are quirky enough to play truth & dare at night with some candle blowing in the room. Do share your comments after making these incredible shots at home.

What Are We Replacing?

You may know that this is originally a cocktail, meaning this recipe has an addition of alcohol/liquor in the drink. However, this is a non-alcoholic drink version we are making today.

In the original recipe, liquor compliments the tartness of the lemon, and hence vodka is commonly used. Sometimes lemon-flavoured limoncello is added as well (or any similar alcohol). And since shots mean small servings of spirits or mixed drinks this drink is served in small glasses as we have used.

Now, keep in mind the above information is just for the sake of the recipe. I am not trying to educate you on alcohol/liquor since I am a non-drinker myself, the reason why it is a non-alcoholic version. This is to justify the substitute ingredients we will be adding to the drink understanding the science of it a little bit.

As I mention, this is an alcoholic drink originally containing spirits. Spirit is a beverage type or liquor that is produced by the distillation of grains, fruits, vegetables, or sugar, that have already gone through alcoholic fermentation. In this case, it is vodka, that is without a distinctive character, aroma, taste, or color.

Sprite is the best replacement to imitate the spirit in the drink. Other than that, sparkling water or club soda will also be a good replacement for the alcohol in the drink.

And as for other ingredients here, lemon is replaceable with lemon/lime juice. And sugar syrup or sugar cubes can be a substitute for sweetening the drink. Or you can even add honey/agave for the same.

Serving Suggestions For Lemon Drop Shots

Proper presentation while serving a drink can make it even more tempting, and of course more pleasing to the sight. Therefore, here are some ideas on how to serve this drink.

First of all, you can serve this drink in a shot glass, martini glass, or some even serve this margarita glass. These glasses can be in any shape or size.

The way we served is a classic and also the most common way of presentation. If not in the shot glass, you can even use a martini glass. This should be enough to impress your guests. But if not, we have a few more ideas for you.

You can add some lemon zest or mint as garnishing.  If you want to make this garnishing fancy then freeze the zest or mint in water before adding the ice cubes. A lemon slice can be dropped in the drinking glass.

If you wish to be more creative, make strips of your choice fruit (using a vegetable peeler), wave/twist it a bit, and pass it through the toothpick. Place in the martini glass. The shot glass might be too small for the same. If you like you can put olives too.