Lemon Drop shot
the recipe to start with
Run a piece of lemon around the outside rim of the shot glass, then dip it in the sugar. Put the glass in the fridge or freezer.
Shake the vodka, lemon juice, and syrup with plenty of ice for 10 seconds.
Strain into the chilled shot glass, filling it almost to the rim.
Serve immediately. If you let a shot sit, it won't stay cold for more than a minute.
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Two techniques, that’s all you need
Pouring layers. The more sugar a drink has, the heavier it is and the lower it sinks. More alcohol makes it lighter, so it floats. So always start with the heaviest drink. Hold a bar spoon with the rounded side facing up just above the previous layer and pour the next one over it. That’s how you make a B52, too. Didn’t work? Pour it out and start again. Once the layers have mixed, you can’t fix them by adding more. Serve ice-cold. If you’re drinking something straight, such as Salmari, vodka, or genever, put the bottle in the freezer and chill the glasses alongside it for twenty minutes. The cold takes the edge off the alcohol and makes liqueur a little thicker. That makes it much smoother to drink. Pour only when everyone is ready.
The right glass
There are roughly two types of shot glasses, and your choice makes a difference. A straight, narrow 5 to 6.5 cl glass keeps layered shots neatly separated and makes each layer look thicker. It’s ideal for a B52. A tapered 3.5 to 4 cl shot glass is for straight spirits and drop shots. It’s smaller, made of thicker glass, and fits nicely in your hand. In either case, choose thick glass, because plenty of glasses will be clinked together over the course of an evening. Buy at least twelve. You never drink shots just the two of you.
Arcoroc Islande Shot Glass 6.5 cl (12 pieces)
RCR Opera Shot Glass 6 cl (6 pieces)
Together, € 44,90, enough for a whole evening.
The right tools
For shots, besides the glass, you’ll need a small shaker, a bar spoon for stirring, and a jigger for precise measuring. These are the bar tools we use ourselves; find them all in our bar tools & cocktail sets.
Glass set (our choice 01) + 3 bar tools together € 59,80.
What do you need to make these shots?
For these shots, you need beerenburg. Popular bottles include Jägermeister and Salmari. Each drink page tells you the alcohol percentage, what it tastes like, which cocktails it goes with, and which glass you need.
Ten shots
A guide to the different kinds of shots
The shots on this page can be divided into three groups. Shaken shots with citrus, such as the Lemon Drop and the Kamikaze, need acidity and sugar to work. Layered shots are all about technique, and the B52 is the best-known example. The third group is served straight and ice-cold, such as Salmari or jenever with a beer. For the last kind, all you need is a freezer and a little patience. For the other two, grab a shaker or a bar spoon.
Fun and tasty shots for a full table
The best shots aren't necessarily the strongest. At a full table, variety works better than serving the same round again and again. Start with something fresh from the shaker. Keep a layered shot up your sleeve for when everyone is watching. And finish with something straight from the freezer. A good shot almost always needs something to balance it out. Without lemon, coffee, or herbs, all you taste is sweetness. A few shots of liquor per person is enough for an evening, especially if you spread them over a few rounds.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a shot glass hold?
A standard shot is 3 to 4 cl. Shot glasses are often a little larger, 5 to 6.5 cl. That leaves room for layers and means you don't have to pour to the brim.
Which shot glass do you need?
Tall and narrow for layered shots, small and tapered for straight spirits. Check out our shot glasses and liqueur glasses.
How do you keep the layers neatly separated?
Start with the heaviest, meaning the one with the most sugar. Let each layer run over the rounded side of a bar spoon. Put the glass on the table and don't hold it in your hand.
Can you make shots ahead of time?
Shaken shots, yes. Mix them in a bottle and put it in the freezer, then you can pour twelve at a time. Always make layered shots one glass at a time.
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