Lemon Drop shot
the recipe to start with
Rub the outside rim of the shot glass with lemon and dip it in the sugar. Chill the glass.
Shake the vodka, lemon juice and syrup with plenty of ice for 10 seconds.
Strain into the chilled shot glass, filling it just below the rim.
Serve immediately. A shot that's left waiting loses its chill within a minute.
What did you think of this recipe?
One click on a star is enough. If you'd like to add something, we'll review it before it appears here.
Save this recipe
Send the Shotjes recipe to your own email so you have it at hand when you make it. You'll also receive a €5 discount code on orders from €50, for the glasses that go with it.
Two techniques, that's all you need
Layering. Liquids with more sugar are heavier and sink; liquids with more alcohol are lighter and float. So always pour from heavy to light, letting each layer run over the rounded side of a bar spoon held just above the previous one. That's how the B52 works. Didn't it work? Empty the glass and start again. Pouring more over a disturbed layer will never turn out right. Serve ice-cold. For anything drunk neat, such as Salmari, vodka and genever, put the bottle in the freezer and chill the glasses for twenty minutes too. Cold softens the sharpness of alcohol and makes the liqueur more syrupy, making it much smoother to drink. And one practical rule: don't pour until everyone is ready.
The right glass
Shot glasses generally come in two shapes, and that choice matters. A straight, narrow model of 5 to 6.5 cl keeps layered shots neatly separated and makes the layers look optically thicker. This is the glass for a B52. A tapered shot glass of 3.5 to 4 cl is intended for neat drinks and dropshots: smaller, thicker-walled, and easier to hold. In both cases, choose thick glass; shot glasses knock against each other throughout an evening. Count on at least twelve glasses; shots are never shared between two people.
Arcoroc Islande Shot Glass 6.5 cl (12 pieces)
RCR Opera Shot Glass 6 cl (6 pieces)
Together € 44,90, enough for an entire evening.
The right tools
For shots, in addition to the glass, you use a small shaker, a bar spoon for stirring, and a jigger for precise measuring. These are the bar tools we use ourselves; you can find everything in our bar tools & cocktail sets.
Glass set (our choice 01) + 3 bar tools together € 59,80.
What do you make these Shots with?
For these shots, you need Beerenburg. Well-known bottles include Jägermeister and Salmari. On each drink page, you can read the alcohol percentage, what it tastes like, which cocktails it pairs with, and which glass you need.
Ten shots
Types of shots at a glance
The types of shots on this page fall into three groups. Shaken shots with citrus, such as the Lemon Drop and the Kamikaze, need acidity and sugar to be balanced. Layered shots are all about technique; the B52 is the best-known example. Then there's the group you drink neat and ice-cold, such as Salmari or genever with beer. Well-known shots from that last group need nothing more than a freezer and a little patience, while the other two call for a shaker or a bar spoon.
Fun shots for a full table
Fun shots aren't necessarily the strongest: at a full table, variety works better than repeating the same round. Start with something fresh and shaken, keep a layered shot ready for the moment everyone's watching, and finish with something neat from the freezer. Tasty shots almost always need some counterbalance: without lemon, coffee, or herbs, all that's left is sweetness. A few shots per person is enough for an evening, especially if you spread them over a few rounds instead of having them all back-to-back.
Frequently asked questions
How much fits in a shot glass?
A standard shot is 3 to 4 cl. Shot glasses are often slightly larger, 5 to 6.5 cl, so you can make layered shots without having to fill them to the rim.
Which shot glass do you need?
Straight and narrow for layered shots, tapered and small for neat drinks. View our shot glasses and digestif glasses.
How do you keep the layers neatly separated?
Pour from heaviest to lightest, starting with the most sugary, and let each layer run over the rounded side of a bar spoon. Place the glass on the table, not in your hand.
Can you prepare shots in advance?
Shaken shots can be prepared in advance: mix them in a bottle and put it in the freezer, then pour twelve at once. Layered shots should always be made one glass at a time.
Everything for your bar,
to one address
Hospitality-quality glasses, supplied in sets. Order today, delivered quickly.
Shop glasses →