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Japanese Lemon Sour

A bright and simple Japanese cocktail made with shochu, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and soda water.
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Prep Time 2 minutes
Total Time 2 minutes
Servings: 1 cocktail
Course: Drinks and Beverages
Cuisine: Japanese
Calories: 145
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 45 ml shochu or vodka as alternative
  • 30 ml fresh lemon juice
  • 15 ml simple syrup
  • 60 ml soda water
  • Ice cubes enough to fill the glass
  • Lemon twist or wheel for garnish
  • Sea salt optional, pinch for rim

Equipment

  • Cocktail shaker or mixing glass
  • Bar spoon or long-handled spoon
  • Jigger for measuring
  • Citrus juicer or hand juicer
  • Strainer
  • Rocks glass or highball glass
  • Knife for cutting lemon twists

Method
 

  1. Fill a rocks or highball glass completely with ice cubes.
  2. Cut a fresh lemon in half and juice both halves through a fine sieve to remove pulp and seeds.
  3. Pour 45 ml of shochu into a jigger and add to the cocktail shaker.
  4. Measure 30 ml of fresh lemon juice and add it to the shaker.
  5. Add 15 ml of simple syrup to the shaker.
  6. Fill the shaker with a handful of ice cubes.
  7. Shake vigorously for about 10 seconds to chill and aerate the mixture.
  8. Strain the cocktail into the prepared ice-filled glass.
  9. Slowly pour 60 ml of soda water into the glass to top up the drink.
  10. Garnish with a lemon twist or wheel and serve immediately.

Notes

Always use fresh lemon juice squeezed moments before mixing for the brightest flavor and serve immediately to retain carbonation.