Limoncello Lemon Drop…mmm, So Good!

The Lemon Drop is the quintessential lemon-first cocktail.  Sweet and tangy this cocktail requires a neutral alcohol to let the lemon flavor shine.  Often included on the martini menu of bars (too often some would argue since it isn’t made with gin), the Lemon Drop is made with vodka and served up in a cocktail or martini glass.  The Lemon Drop is my go-to easy drinking cocktail at home or when I’m out and about, and since I usually have homemade limoncello in my freezer, I have a secret ingredient that makes this a knockout.

My favorite dessert is anything lemon.  Lemon bars, lemon custard, lemon meringue, you name it, if it’s sweet and lemony, I like it.  I think that’s why I developed a mild obsession for limoncello.  It is the best of both worlds, dessert-like and cocktail-like.  When added to a lemon drop, it packs a punch of flavor, doesn’t dilute your cocktail with sodas or syrups, and best of all, I know exactly what went into making it.  You can find my blog and recipe for limoncello here.

There is no need for flavored vodkas to make a lemon drop, the flavor from fresh squeezed lemon juice and limoncello is more than enough to make this cocktail sing.  If you don’t happen to have limoncello, a lemon-flavored vodka would be helpful.  I also suggest you double the amount of lemon juice.  The good news here is that of all the flavored vodkas, it does seem lemon vodka is the one that best approximates the taste of fresh fruit.

With summer right around the corner, this is the perfect cocktail to kick back and relax.  This is one of the best 3 ingredient cocktails that everyone enjoys.  Stock your bar now and enjoy all summer long. Cheers!