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Strawberry Lemon Drop

A refreshing cocktail that balances vodka's clean bite with fresh lemon juice and sweet strawberry liqueur, creating a restaurant-quality drink in minutes with a beautiful pink hue and perfectly balanced sweet, tart, and smooth flavors.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 1 cocktail
Course: Drinks and Beverages
Cuisine: Modern American
Calories: 180
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 1.5 ounces 45 milliliters vodka, preferably a quality neutral brand
  • 0.75 ounces 22 milliliters strawberry liqueur, such as Chambord or Fraise des Bois
  • 0.75 ounces 22 milliliters fresh lemon juice, squeezed from 1 to 2 fresh lemons
  • 0.5 ounces 15 milliliters simple syrup
  • 1 cup ice crushed or cubed
  • 1 fresh strawberry whole berry or thin slice for garnish
  • 1 lemon twist strip of lemon peel for garnish and aromatics
  • 1 tablespoon coarse sugar for rimming the glass optional

Equipment

  • Cocktail shaker or mason jar with lid
  • Jigger or measuring spoon
  • Strainer or fine-mesh sieve
  • Martini glass or coupe glass
  • Bar spoon or long-handled spoon
  • Citrus juicer or hand juicer
  • Cutting board and sharp knife

Method
 

  1. Place your martini or coupe glass in the freezer for at least 3 minutes before you begin mixing.
  2. Pour the coarse sugar onto a small shallow plate. Run a cut lemon around the rim of your chilled glass, then dip the moistened rim into the sugar, twisting gently to coat evenly.
  3. Cut your lemons in half and juice them using a citrus juicer, pressing firmly to extract every drop of juice.
  4. Add about 1 cup of crushed or cubed ice to your cocktail shaker or mason jar.
  5. Pour 1.5 ounces of vodka and 0.75 ounces of strawberry liqueur into the shaker over the ice.
  6. Add 0.75 ounces of fresh lemon juice and 0.5 ounces of simple syrup to the shaker.
  7. Close the shaker tightly and shake hard for about 15 seconds, until the outside becomes frosty and cold.
  8. Using a strainer, pour the cocktail into your prepared sugar-rimmed glass, leaving the ice behind in the shaker.
  9. Place a fresh strawberry slice on the rim of the glass or float it on top. Express the lemon twist by holding it over the drink, skin-side down, and twisting to release the oils, then lay the twist across the rim.

Notes

Always use freshly squeezed lemon juice and chill your glass before mixing for professional results. Measure ingredients carefully using a jigger for balanced flavor. Can be made into a punch by multiplying the recipe and serving in a pitcher. Store leftover mix in refrigerator for up to 2 days, but fresh is always better.