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In need of an easy cocktail recipe? This lemon vodka cocktail is the easiest! It’s light and refreshing, and perfect for guests on a warm summer day!
A second cocktail recipe in one month!? Who am I!? Cleary, someone who needs a cocktail. Or two. I mean, come on. Can you blame me!?
As things are relaxing around here a little bit, I feel like I am still one of the only ones a little too nervous to start venturing out into normal life, visiting shops and attempting social distancing meet-ups. Maybe I’ve gotten too used to being so careful? I think I’d like to see what happens for a bit before joining the crowds!
How are you guys feeling about it all?
Well, I’m guessing you need a cocktail 😉
I’ve got you covered!
What’s in a lemon vodka cocktail?
Have you ever had a lemon drop? The cocktail, not the shot. The cocktail is fairly similar to what we’re doing here, in that it is typically composed of:
- vodka
- triple sec
- fresh lemon juice
- sugar
It is so good! Since I like my cocktails a little bit sparkly, I’ve combined most of the same ingredients for my cocktail, with some soda water! I also use a simple syrup here instead of a fine granulated sugar.
How do you make a simple syrup?
AH guys, it’s so easy. I will often make some in the summer just to have on hand for simple drinks like this lemon vodka cocktail. You won’t need a recipe for simple syrup! Combine equal parts sugar and water in a small saucepan on the stove, and simmer until the sugar has dissolved. Cool the mixture down and store at room temperature for a couple of weeks!
It’s perfect to have on hand when you want to sweeten things up a little bit.
How do you make this lemon vodka cocktail?
In a cocktail shaker, combine:
- 1 1/2 oz vodka
- 1/2 oz triple sec
- juice of 1 lemon
- 1 oz simple syrup (as prepared above)
- ice
I like rimming my cocktail glass with a bit of sugar. Add a few cubes of ice to a glass, then shake everything up in the cocktail shaker for 30 seconds until the shaker feels cold, then strain out the liquid into your prepared glass.
Top off your glass with plain sparkling water, and enjoy!
Do you have to use fresh lemon juice for this cocktail?
I highly, HIGHLY recommend using fresh lemon juice for optimum flavor, but in a pinch you could use 2 tbsp of bottled lemon juice instead! You could also add a bit of lemon zest to your cocktail for added lemon flavor!
OH, and if you can get your hands on lemon flavored vodka, it is EXCELLENT in this drink. I haven’t been able to find any for a while!
This past weekend was a long weekend for us so this is my only new post this week. I took Monday off and we got some family bike riding in – which worked out perfectly because it turns out that was the LAST warm day for the whole week!
Ugh. Rain. I know we need it but I’m missing my old friend the sun! Come back!
Let’s all have a cocktail!
And some of my other popular cocktails from the blog:
Lemon Vodka Cocktail
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
Description
In need of an easy cocktail recipe? This lemon vodka cocktail is the easiest! It’s light and refreshing, and perfect for guests on a warm summer day!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 oz vodka
- 1/2 oz triple sec
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (1 whole lemon)
- 1 oz simple syrup*
- soda water, to top up with**
- ice
Instructions
- Start preparing your cocktail by adding a few cubes of ice to the glass. In a cocktail shaker, combine the vodka, triple sec, lemon juice, simple syrup and a few cubes of ice. Shake everything for 30 seconds, or until the cocktail shaker gets very cold! Strain the liquid into the cocktail glass and top up with soda water. Serve immediately!
Notes
*To make a simple syrup, combine equal parts sugar and water and simmer in a small saucepan on the stove until the sugar is dissolved. Cool completely and store at room temperature for a couple of weeks.
**For extra lemon oomph, use lemon soda water, or better yet, lemon vodka AND lemon soda water!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Category: cocktails
- Method: cocktail shaker
- Cuisine: american
We’ve had a dreary week here, too, and ending the day with this gorgeous lemon cocktail sounds perfect!! P.S. Our malls are open (at reduced capacity), but I have NO desire to go shopping!
Our malls are opening tomorrow, apparently! I can’t say I’m very excited about going shopping either. I won’t be hurrying out! Thanks Liz!
Can I have one of these already! Glorious!!
Haha yes you can!!! Thanks Kim!
This is one refreshing sipper! Cheers!
Thank you Annie!! The lemon is so refreshing!
I think we all need cocktails right now, Katherine. This one looks like serious refreshment! Loving the mint to offset the tangy lemon!
I agree, Marissa. If we ever had a reason for a cocktail, it’s now! Cheers, my friend!
Well this sounds very refreshing! I would love to have a glass of this lemon vodka cocktail. I love lemon so much in my drinks.
I love lemon in everything! Hah thank you Christie. It’s super refreshing!!
Lemony lemon cocktails all sounding good and anything to do with lemon has become my favourite now and that picture perfect drink looks so refreshing Katherine.
The lockdown rules are seeing a teeny-weeny relaxed, but the covid numbers are still not under control, so I rather cushion up at home. You stay safe.
WE’re the same! They’re relaxing things a bit here too but we’re not ready to go running out and socializing just yet. Thank you!
Oh my goodness, I would have two of these right now if I could! They look marvelous and I love that you used triple sec, I can just taste the deliciousness through the screen! 😀
I have been putting triple sec in all cocktails lately! Thanks Catherine!!
You have some great cocktail recipes Katherine! Things are slowly opening here, but I’m like you and overly cautious. Plus, if we get some nice weather, I’d be quite content on my back deck, physically distancing from everyone, and sipping on these summery lemon vodka drinks! They look tart and refreshing, just the way I like my cocktails! Happy weekend!
YES as long as the weather is nice out, I’m very happy to just be by myself! The lemon is perfectly tart, we love it. I hope you get a chance to give it a try, Leanne!
Love easy to make lemony cocktails to share with friends soon ….
That makes me happy!! Thank you Davorka!
I haven’t had a lemon cocktail in forever, but I need to be changing that!! This one will be perfect for sitting in the yard, when the sun returns. I’m also feeling a bit cautious Katherine. I returned to work this past week, so I am having to leave the house two days, but I am quite content to just lay low a bit longer!
Lemon cocktails are the BEST! I just love that sour and sweet combo. It’s so good. I hope everything goes well with your return to work, Tasia. Good luck!!