Lemon drop (cocktail) facts for kids
| IBA official cocktail | |
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Lemon drop
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| Type | Mixed drink |
| Primary alcohol by volume | |
| Served | Straight up; without ice |
| Standard garnish | sugar around rim |
| Standard drinkware |
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| IBA specified ingredients  |
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| Preparation | Pour all ingredients into cocktail shaker, shake well with ice, strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with sugar rim around the glass. |
| Timing | All Day |
| Lemon Drop recipe at International Bartenders Association |
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A lemon drop is a popular drink that tastes like lemon, both sweet and sour. It is made with vodka, lemon juice, and a sweet orange-flavored liquid called triple sec. Sometimes, a simple sugar syrup is also added to make it sweeter.
This drink is often served straight up. This means it is mixed with ice, then strained (poured without the ice) into a chilled glass. It is a bit like a Vodka Martini but has its own unique lemon flavor.
The lemon drop was created in the 1970s by Norman Jay Hobday. He owned a bar called Henry Africa's in San Francisco, California. Today, you can find lemon drops in many bars and restaurants around the world. There are also fun versions with different fruit flavors, like blueberry or raspberry.
Contents
What is a Lemon Drop?
A lemon drop is a sweet and sour drink. The sweet and sour flavors work together to create a balanced taste. It is made with vodka, lemon juice, and triple sec.
You can use regular vodka or vodka that already has a lemon flavor. Using fresh lemon juice often makes the drink taste better than using juice from a bottle. Some recipes even use juice from special Meyer lemons.
Sometimes, people use a specific brand of triple sec called Cointreau. The drink can also be made with a lemon-flavored simple syrup. A simple syrup is just sugar and water mixed together. Some recipes use a special mix called sour mix.
The lemon drop is often decorated with a slice of lemon, a lemon wedge, or a twist of lemon peel. Other ingredients like ginger syrup or lavender extract can also be added for extra flavor.
How is it Served?
A lemon drop is usually served straight up. This means it is shaken or stirred with ice, then poured into a tall, stemmed glass without the ice. A martini glass is a common choice.
The rim of the glass can be coated with sugar. To do this, the edge of the glass is dipped in water or lemon juice. Then, it is dipped into a shallow tray filled with sugar. Very fine sugar, also called caster sugar, works best for this.
History of the Lemon Drop
The lemon drop was invented around the 1970s. It was created by Norman Jay Hobday at his bar, Henry Africa's. This bar was in the Russian Hill area of San Francisco, California. Henry Africa's opened in 1969.
The drink was first served in a regular cocktail glass. It was probably named after lemon drop candy because of its sweet and sour lemon taste. After it was invented, the lemon drop quickly became popular in San Francisco. In the early 1990s, smaller versions of the drink were sometimes served in a shot glass.
Different Kinds of Lemon Drops
You can find many different kinds of lemon drops! Some popular variations include blueberry and raspberry lemon drops. These often use vodkas or other liquids flavored with these fruits.
These fruity lemon drops might also be served with fresh blueberries or raspberries, or with a lemon slice. A blueberry lemon drop can be made by crushing fresh blueberries into the drink. A raspberry lemon drop might use mashed or blended raspberries.
The glass can still have a sugared rim. Sometimes, people even use colored sugar by adding food coloring to it!
The "lemon drop shot" is a smaller, popular version. It is made with two parts vodka, one part lemon juice, and a little bit of simple syrup. It is served in a small glass with a sugar-coated rim and a lemon slice.
Lemon Drops in Pop Culture
In 2006, the lemon drop became even more famous. It was shown on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Oprah Winfrey and Rachael Ray made the drink on the show. This helped the drink become very popular at that time.
Images for kids
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A blueberry lemon drop served with a sugared glass rim
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A blueberry lemon drop (at front) and an appletini
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A lemon drop martini prepared with raspberry liquor
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A raspberry lemon drop garnished with raspberry, lemon peel twist and rock candy
See also
In Spanish: Lemon Drop para niños
