Lemon drop (cocktail)

Last updated

Lemon Drop
IBA official cocktail
Lemon Drop cocktails.jpg
Lemon drop
Type Mixed drink
Base spirit
Served Straight up: chilled, without ice
Standard garnishsugar around rim
Standard drinkware
Cocktail Glass (Martini).svg
Cocktail glass
IBA specified
ingredients†
  • 30 ml vodka citron
  • 20 ml triple sec
  • 15 ml fresh lemon juice
PreparationPour all ingredients into cocktail shaker, shake well with ice, strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with sugar rim around the glass.
Commonly servedAll Day
† Lemon Drop recipe at International Bartenders Association

A lemon drop is a vodka-based cocktail that has a lemony, sweet and sour flavor, prepared using vodka, triple sec, and fresh lemon juice. [1] It has been described as a variant of, or as "a take on", the vodka martini, but is in fact closer to a daisy or a white lady variant. [2] It is typically prepared and served straight up – chilled with ice and strained.

Contents

The drink was invented sometime in the 1970s by Norman Jay Hobday, the founder and proprietor of Henry Africa's bar in San Francisco, California. Variations of the drink exist, such as blueberry and raspberry lemon drops, and some recipes that call for simple syrup. It is served at some bars and restaurants in the United States, and in such establishments in other areas of the world. [2]

Overview

A lemon drop served with a lemon wheel Lemon Drop cocktai with lemon wheel.jpg
A lemon drop served with a lemon wheel

A lemon drop is a cocktail with a lemony, sweet and sour flavor, [3] [4] whereby the sweet and sour ingredients serve to contrast and balance one another. [5] [6] It is a vodka-based cocktail that is prepared with the addition of lemon juice and triple sec. [1] Plain or citrus-flavored vodka may be used in its preparation, such as citron vodka. [3] [2] [7] Lemon-flavored vodka is also sometimes used. [6] [8] Lemon juice that has been freshly squeezed may be used, [7] [9] which can produce a superior drink compared to using commercially prepared lemon juice. [4] Some versions are prepared using the juice from Meyer lemons. [10] [11] [12]

Cointreau-brand triple sec is used in some versions, and it may be prepared using a simple syrup that has been infused with lemon juice. [3] [9] [12] Some versions are prepared using sour mix, a cocktail mixer. [3] A garnish of a sliced lemon wheel, wedge, zest, rind or a lemon twist is sometimes used. [4] [2] [7] [13] [9] Additional ingredients may also be used in the drink's preparation, such as ginger syrup and lavender extract. [14]

A lemon drop is typically prepared straight up, meaning that it is shaken or stirred with ice, strained, and served in a stemmed glass, such as a martini glass. [7] [13] [15] The glass may be prepared with a sugared rim, performed by dipping the rim of the glass in water or lemon juice and then dipping it into a rimmer (a shallow tray used in bartending), filled with sugar. [4] Superfine sugar, also called bar sugar or caster sugar may be used. [16] [17] [18]

History

The lemon drop was invented sometime in the 1970s by Norman Jay Hobday, the founder and proprietor of Henry Africa's, a fern bar in the Russian Hill neighborhood of San Francisco, California that opened in 1969. [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] It was originally served in a cocktail glass. [15] [21] [24] [25] The Lemon Drop was most likely named after lemon drop candy. [5] [24] After its invention, the drink swiftly spread to many San Francisco saloons. [21] In the early 1990s, it was often prepared as a shooter or served in a shot glass. [4] [5] [26] The shooter's recipe differed from the cocktail as it contained only one ingredient and a garnish.

Variations

Variations of the drink include lemon drops prepared with blueberries and raspberries, which may use vodkas or other liquors flavored with these respective berries. [4] [27] [28] These drinks may also be served or garnished with these berries, [4] or with lemon. [29] A blueberry lemon drop may be prepared with muddled blueberries, [30] and a raspberry lemon drop may be prepared with puréed or crushed raspberries. [27] [31] Another popular variation uses limoncello as the base spirit. [32]

The glass may have a sugared rim, and colored sugar may be used, prepared by adding food coloring to the sugar. [33]

The "lemon drop shot" is a popular variant made with 2 parts vodka, 1 part lemon juice, 1/2 ounce of simple syrup, and served in a shot glass garnished with a sugar coated rim and lemon slice.

In 2006, preparation of the lemon drop was presented on The Oprah Winfrey Show , prepared by Oprah Winfrey and Rachael Ray. [4] [34] The drink's popularity increased during this time. [4]

On 18 September 2024, in an interview with journalist Amol Rajan on BBC Two, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir John Major, revealed that he was partial to the occasional Lemon Drop cocktail.[ relevant? ]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Collins</span> Cocktail made from gin, lemon juice, sugar and carbonated water

The Tom Collins is a Collins cocktail made from gin, lemon juice, sugar, and carbonated water. This "gin and sparkling lemonade" drink is typically served in a Collins glass over ice with a cherry garnish. A non-alcoholic "Collins mix" mixer is produced, enjoyed by some as a soft drink.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Long Island iced tea</span> Mixed drink with vodka, gin, tequila, and rum

The Long Island iced tea, or Long Island ice tea, is an IBA official cocktail, typically made with vodka, tequila, light rum, triple sec, gin, and a splash of cola. Despite its name, the cocktail does not typically contain iced tea, but is named for having the same amber hue as iced tea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Margarita</span> Mexican cocktail of tequila and orange liqueur

A margarita is a cocktail consisting of tequila, triple sec, and lime juice. Some margarita recipes include simple syrup as well and are often served with salt on the rim of the glass. Margaritas can be served either shaken with ice, without ice, or blended with ice. Most bars serve margaritas in a stepped-diameter variant of a cocktail glass or champagne coupe called a margarita glass. The margarita is one of the world's most popular cocktails and the most popular tequila-based cocktail.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martini (cocktail)</span> Cocktail made with gin and vermouth

The martini is a cocktail made with gin and vermouth, and garnished with an olive, a lemon twist, or both. Over the years, the martini has become one of the best-known mixed alcoholic beverages. A common variation, the vodka martini, uses vodka instead of gin for the cocktail's base spirit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cosmopolitan (cocktail)</span> Cocktail made with vodka

A cosmopolitan, or, informally, a cosmo, is a cocktail made with vodka, Cointreau, cranberry juice, and freshly squeezed or sweetened lime juice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amaretto</span> Italian almond liqueur

Amaretto is a sweet Italian liqueur originating from the comune (municipality) of Saronno. Depending on the brand, it may be made from apricot kernels, bitter almonds, peach stones, or almonds, all of which are natural sources of the benzaldehyde that provides the almond-like flavour of the liqueur. It generally contains 21 to 28 percent alcohol by volume.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shooter (drink)</span> Mixed drink

A shooter, or shot, is a small serving of spirits or a mixed drink, typically consumed quickly, often in a single gulp. It is common to serve a shooter as a side to a larger drink.

<i>The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks</i> 1948 book about cocktails

The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks is a book about cocktails by David A. Embury, first published in 1948. The book is noteworthy for its witty, highly opinionated and conversational tone, as well as its categorization of cocktails into two main types: aromatic and sour; its categorization of ingredients into three categories: the base, modifying agents, and special flavorings and coloring agents; and its 1:2:8 ratio for sour type cocktails.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cocktail garnish</span> Decorative element added to a drink

Cocktail garnishes are decorative ornaments that add character or style to a mixed drink, most notably to cocktails.

The brandy daisy is a cocktail which first gained popularity in the late 19th century. One of the earliest known recipes was published in 1876 in the second edition of Jerry Thomas's The Bartenders Guide or How To Mix Drinks: The Bon-Vivants Companion:

Fill glass half full of shaved ice. Shake well and strain into a glass, and fill up with Seltzer water from a syphon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fizz (cocktail)</span> Type of carbonated alcoholic mixed drinks

A "fizz" is a mixed drink variation on the older sours family of cocktail. Its defining features are an acidic juice and carbonated water. It typically includes gin or rum as its alcoholic ingredient.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greyhound (cocktail)</span> Cocktail made with grapefruit juice and gin or vodka

A greyhound is a cocktail consisting of grapefruit juice and gin or vodka mixed and served over ice. If the rim of the glass has been salted, the drink is instead called a salty dog.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cape Codder (cocktail)</span> Cocktail consisting of vodka and cranberry juice

The Cape Cod or Cape Codder is a type of cocktail consisting of vodka and cranberry juice. Some recipes also call for squeezing a lime wedge over the glass and dropping it into the drink. The name refers to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, a peninsula and popular tourist destination located in the eastern United States which is famous for growing cranberries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bloody Mary (cocktail)</span> Popular cocktail containing vodka and tomato juice

A Bloody Mary is a cocktail containing vodka, tomato juice, and other spices and flavorings including Worcestershire sauce, hot sauces, garlic, herbs, horseradish, celery, olives, pickled vegetables, salt, black pepper, lemon juice, lime juice and celery salt. Some versions of the drink, such as the "surf 'n turf" Bloody Mary, include shrimp and bacon as garnishes. In the United States, it is usually consumed in the morning or early afternoon, and is popular as a hangover cure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paloma (cocktail)</span> Tequila-based cocktail

The paloma is a tequila-based cocktail. This drink is most commonly prepared by mixing tequila, lime juice, and a grapefruit-flavored soda such as Fresca, Squirt, or Jarritos and served on the rocks with a lime wedge. Adding salt to the rim of the glass is also an option.

An astro pop cocktail is a layered cocktail, mixed drink or shooter so named because it resembles the Astro Pop lollipop candy brand. Various recipes exist that use liquor and liqueurs to produce the drink. A version of the drink exists that is layered with red, white, and blue colors and served in a shot glass. It is a popular alcoholic beverage in some drinking establishments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spicy Fifty</span> Cocktail comprising vodka, elderflower cordial, lime juice, and honey syrup

A Spicy Fifty is a cocktail containing vanilla-flavored vodka with elderflower cordial, lime juice, honey syrup, and red chili pepper. To prepare, the ingredients are added to a cocktail shaker and shaken with ice. The chili optionally can be muddled in the base of the shaker. More chili can be added to make it spicier. The drink is then double-strained into a chilled cocktail glass. A whole pepper is used as garnish sitting at the rim of the glass. The drinker should be cautioned against eating the pepper.

References

  1. 1 2 "Lemon Drop Martini - iba-world.com" . Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Marszalek, Keith I. (March 24, 2008). "New Orleans' best cocktails: The Lemon Drop cocktail". The Times-Picayune . Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Saria, Lauren (September 6, 2013). "How to Make the Perfect Lemon Drop Cocktail". Phoenix New Times . Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Charming, C.; Bourgoin, S. (2009). Knack Bartending Basics. Knack: Make It Easy. Globe Pequot Press. pp. 72–73. ISBN   978-1-59921-772-7.
  5. 1 2 3 Chirico, R. (2015). Field Guide to Cocktails. Quirk Books. p. 154). ISBN   978-1-59474-841-7.
  6. 1 2 Hellmich, M. (2010). The Ultimate Bar Book. Chronicle Books. p. 320. ISBN   978-0-8118-7290-4.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Drink of the Week: Lemon Drop Martini". San Antonio Express-News . March 20, 2013. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  8. ↑ Gurliacci, David (May 16, 2013). "How to Make a Lemon Drop Cocktail". Patch Media . Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  9. 1 2 3 Pavlides, Shereen (December 12, 2015). "Cook this: Lemon Drop Martini". The Beaver County Times . Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Cookbook review". The Star Press . November 12, 2015. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  11. ↑ Aikman-Smith, V.; Lehr, R. (2015). Juicy Drinks. Weldon Owen. p. pt96-97. ISBN   978-1-68188-008-2.
  12. 1 2 Stewart, M. (2015). Martha Stewart's Appetizers. Potter/TenSpeed/Harmony. p. 496. ISBN   978-0-307-95463-3.
  13. 1 2 Marszalek, Keith I. (June 21, 2010). "The Lemon Drop cocktail". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  14. ↑ Lee, Lanee (September 23, 2015). "Pucker Up with 4 Lemon Drop Cocktails". Chilled Magazine. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  15. 1 2 Sherman, Chris (October 3, 2007). "Drink: Make me a . . . Lemon Drop Martini". Tampa Bay Times . Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  16. ↑ Gisslen, W. (2004). Professional Baking. Wiley. p. 38. ISBN   978-0-471-46427-3.
  17. ↑ Algood, T. (2013). In a Snap!. Thomas Nelson. p. 116. ISBN   978-1-4016-0487-5.
  18. ↑ Rivard, D. (2009). The Ultimate Fruit Winemaker's Guide: The Complete Reference Manual for All Fruit Winemakers. Bacchus Enterprises Winemakers. Createspace Independent Pub. p. 49. ISBN   978-1-4414-5092-0.
  19. ↑ Walker, Judy (July 26, 2010). "Tales of the Cocktail of 'Fern Bars' seminar is a trip down memory lane". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  20. ↑ Saekel, Karola (September 7, 2005). "Culinary Pioneers / From Acme bread to Zuni Cafe, the Bay Area has shaped how America eats". San Francisco Chronicle . Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  21. 1 2 3 McDonnell, D.; Abiol, L. (2015). Drinking the Devil's Acre: A Love Letter from San Francisco and her Cocktails. Chronicle Books. pp. 185–186. ISBN   978-1-4521-4062-9 . Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  22. ↑ Whiting, Sam (March 2, 2011). "Henry Africa – dies". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  23. ↑ Telfer, Jenny. "Eddie Rickenbacker's, an eccentric saloon in the Financial District of San Francisco (SoMa), epitomizes the spirit a city known for its quirky characters and strident individualism". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 12 December 2015. (Date of publication not available.){{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  24. 1 2 Abou-Ganim, T.; Faulkner, M.E.; Turner, T.; DeGroff, D. (2013). Vodka Distilled. Agate Publishing. pp. pt99-100. ISBN   978-1-57284-712-5 . Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  25. ↑ "Three Modern Takes on the Yuppie, Seventies-Era Cocktail Spot". Bloomberg Businessweek . July 16, 2015. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  26. ↑ Solomon, K. (2014). Jam It, Pickle It, Cure It: And Other Cooking Projects. Potter/TenSpeed/Harmony. p. 385. ISBN   978-1-60774-769-7.
  27. 1 2 Santos, Franke (May 27, 2011). "Drink of the Week: Raspberry Lemon Drop at Splashes Bar". Patch Media. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  28. ↑ Aikey, Deb (July 19, 2012). "Bartender suggested summer drink recipes". The Record . Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  29. ↑ Haasarud, K.; Grablewski, A. (2014). 101 Shots. Wiley. p. 12. ISBN   978-1-118-45673-6.
  30. ↑ Ellis, Susan (April 13, 2013). "Out of the Bleu Week". Memphis Flyer . Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  31. ↑ Pierce, Kim (September 21, 2011). "A collection of recipes for skinny cocktails". Dallas Morning News . Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  32. ↑ "Limoncello Lemon Drop". Basil And Bubbly. 2021-04-29. Retrieved 2023-04-26.
  33. ↑ Charming, C.; Bourgoin, S. Just Martinis: A Little Book of Liquid Elegance. Globe Pequot Press. pp. 64–68. ISBN   978-0-7627-6298-9.
  34. ↑ "Oprah's Lemon Drop Martini Video". Oprah.com. 2006. Retrieved 12 December 2015.

Further reading

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.