The classic Lemon Drop gets dressed for Halloween with a black sugar rim and a shimmer of black glitter. Sweet, tart, and a little bit sinister.
Ingredients
- 2 oz citron vodka
- 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 oz simple syrup
- A pinch of black edible glitter
- Black sugar, for the rim
- Lemon wheel, for garnish
Method
- Rub a lemon wedge around the rim of a chilled martini glass and dip it in black sugar.
- Add the vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, and glitter to a shaker with ice.
- Shake hard for 10 to 15 seconds.
- Strain into the glass and garnish with the lemon wheel.
Why it works
This is a textbook sour: spirit, citrus, and sweetener. Citron vodka doubles down on the lemon flavor, and the sugar rim gives every sip a sweet start.
Swaps and notes
- This version leans sweet. For a tarter drink, use 3/4 oz lemon juice.
- No citron vodka? Use plain vodka and add a strip of lemon peel to the shaker.
- Use glitter and colored sugar labeled “edible” only.
- Contains: citrus.
How strong is it?
About 1.3 standard drinks as a full cocktail. Split four ways for a tasting, about 0.3 each.
Compare it with the Black Cherry Lemon Drop, which swaps liqueurs in for some of the syrup. Served at our Halloween Kickoff.