Lemon Drop Shot

Ingredients

Prepare Your Glass: Pour a small amount of granulated sugar onto a shallow plate. Moisten the rim of a chilled shot glass with a lemon wedge or a little lemon juice. Dip the rim of the glass into the sugar, rotating gently to create an even sugar rim.
Combine Ingredients: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the vodka, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.
Shake It Up: Secure the lid on the shaker and shake vigorously for about 10-15 seconds, until the shaker is thoroughly chilled.
Strain and Serve: Strain the mixture directly into your prepared sugar-rimmed shot glass.
Garnish (Optional): Serve immediately, perhaps with a small lemon wedge on the side for an extra burst of citrus.

Fresh is Best: Always use freshly squeezed lemon juice. Bottled lemon juice simply won't deliver the same bright, zesty flavour.
Chill Everything: Ensure your vodka, lemon juice, and even your simple syrup are well-chilled before mixing. This helps achieve maximum coldness and a crisp taste.
Quality Vodka: While it's a shot, a decent quality vodka will make a noticeable difference in the smoothness of the drink.
Adjust Sweetness: Taste your lemon juice beforehand. If your lemons are particularly tart, you might want to add a tiny bit more simple syrup, or if they're milder, a little less.
The Sugar Rim: Don't skip the sugar rim! It's an integral part of the Lemon Drop experience, providing that initial burst of sweetness that perfectly complements the sour shot.

Lemon Drop Martini: For a longer, sippable version, simply scale up the ingredients (e.g., 2 oz vodka, 1 oz lemon juice, 0.5 oz simple syrup) and serve it strained into a chilled martini glass with a lemon twist.
Flavoured Vodka: Experiment with citrus-flavoured vodkas for an extra layer of lemon or lime zest.
Sparkling Lemon Drop: After straining the shot into the glass, top with a tiny splash of prosecco or sparkling water for a effervescent twist.