Sparkling Raspberry Lemon Drop Recipe

Zingy Sparkling Raspberry Lemon Drop Recipe for Fresh Sips

Summer cocktails reach new heights with this sparkling raspberry lemon drop that promises pure refreshment.

Vibrant red raspberries mingle with zesty citrus to create a drink that dances on your palate.

The cocktail balances sweet and tart notes with elegant precision.

Fresh ingredients elevate this classic martini into a stunning libation that catches everyone’s eye.

Crisp vodka provides the perfect backbone for this fruity concoction.

Shaken not stirred, this cocktail delivers a burst of flavor in every sip.

Each glass promises a moment of pure liquid joy that will make your taste buds sing.

Shake Up a Raspberry Lemon Drop with a Sweet Finish

  • Rim the Glass

Grab a zesty lemon and slide it around the edge of your elegant cocktail vessel. Dip the moistened rim into a shallow plate of sparkling sugar, creating a sweet crystal border that’ll make your drink pop.

  • Crush and Blend Flavors

Grab those plump raspberries and gently smoosh them in your cocktail shaker, releasing their vibrant crimson juices. Toss in vodka, fresh lemon juice, and a touch of sweet nectar. Add a handful of crushed ice and shake with passionate energy for about 15 seconds.

  • Pour and Decorate

Carefully strain the rosy-hued liquid into your sugar-kissed glass. Top it off with a playful raspberry or a bright lemon slice perched on the rim for that Instagram-worthy finish.

  • Sip and Celebrate

Lift your frosty creation and toast to a moment of pure liquid happiness. Let the tangy-sweet symphony dance across your taste buds and enjoy every refreshing sip of this delightful cocktail.

Tips for Balancing Tart and Frosted Sweetness

  • Add a splash of chambord for extra raspberry depth and complexity.
  • Replace simple syrup with honey for a natural, floral sweetness that enhances the lemon notes.
  • Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener instead of simple syrup to reduce sugar content and make the cocktail more keto-friendly.
  • Transform this drink into a slushy by blending all ingredients with additional crushed ice for a refreshing summer version.
  • Create a non-alcoholic version by substituting vodka with sparkling water or white grape juice, maintaining the fruity and tangy profile.

Serve Lemon Drop Cocktails with Sugared Rims

  • Sunset Soirée Pairing: Serve this vibrant cocktail during a summer evening gathering with friends, complementing light appetizers like goat cheese crostini or citrus-marinated shrimp skewers.
  • Elegant Brunch Companion: Break out this refreshing drink during a weekend brunch, perfectly matching eggs benedict or a fresh fruit salad with its bright, tangy flavors.
  • Dessert Course Delight: Use the cocktail as a sweet finale to your meal, replacing traditional dessert by offering its fruity and zesty profile as a palate-cleansing alternative to heavy sweets.
  • Cocktail Hour Star: Present this drink as the centerpiece of a sophisticated happy hour, encouraging guests to enjoy its beautiful sugar-rimmed glass and Instagram-worthy appearance.

Keep the Cocktail Mix Ready to Pour

  • Keep your cocktail shaker and glass in the freezer for 10-15 minutes before mixing to ensure an extra frosty drink experience.
  • Prepare a large pitcher of this cocktail mix up to 24 hours ahead for effortless entertaining, storing in the refrigerator and stirring before serving.
  • Freeze extra raspberries in ice cube trays with water to create flavor-infused ice cubes that won't dilute your drink's intensity.
  • Store any unused cocktail mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, giving it a quick shake before serving to remix ingredients.

FAQs

  • What ingredients do I need for this cocktail?

You’ll need fresh raspberries, vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, granulated sugar, and crushed ice.

  • Can I use frozen raspberries instead of fresh ones?

Fresh raspberries work best for muddling and releasing natural juices, but frozen raspberries can work in a pinch if thawed and slightly mashed.

  • How strong is this cocktail?

The drink contains vodka, making it a typical martini-strength cocktail with an alcohol content around 15-20% ABV, depending on your vodka pour.

  • Is this cocktail sweet or tart?

The drink balances sweetness from simple syrup with tartness from fresh lemon juice and raspberries, creating a refreshing and balanced flavor profile.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 5 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 1

Frosted Raspberry Lemon Drop Ingredient Highlights

For Rimming:
  • Granulated Sugar: Adds a sweet, crystalline crunch to the glass edge, creating a delightful textural contrast.
  • Lemon: Provides a zesty moisture to help sugar stick and hints at the cocktail's citrusy profile.
For Cocktail Base:
  • Vodka: Clean, smooth spirit that carries the fruity flavors without overpowering; choose a high-quality, neutral vodka.
  • Fresh Raspberries: Bursting with vibrant, sweet-tart flavor; select ripe, deep-colored berries for maximum juiciness.
  • Lemon Juice: Bright, tangy liquid that balances sweetness and adds refreshing citrus punch; always use freshly squeezed.
  • Simple Syrup: Silky sweetener that rounds out the drink's flavor profile; can be easily made at home with equal parts sugar and water.
For Garnish:
  • Fresh Raspberry: Provides a beautiful, edible decoration that hints at the cocktail's fruity essence.
  • Lemon Slice: Adds a pop of color and allows guests to adjust citrus intensity if desired.

Tools to Mix a Frosted Raspberry Lemon Drop Cocktail

  • Cocktail Shaker: Essential for mixing and chilling the drink perfectly.
  • Muddler: Crucial for crushing raspberries and releasing their sweet juices.
  • Shallow Plate: Helps coat the glass rim with sugar for extra flair.
  • Martini or Coupe Glass: Stylish vessel for serving your elegant cocktail.
  • Strainer: Ensures a smooth, seed-free pour into your glass.
  • Measuring Jigger: Helps create a balanced and consistent cocktail.
  • Citrus Juicer (optional): Makes extracting fresh lemon juice easier.
Print
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Sparkling Raspberry Lemon Drop Recipe

Sparkling Raspberry Lemon Drop Recipe


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4.8 from 11 reviews

  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 2 1x

Description

Raspberry Lemon Drop cocktail delights with a perfect balance of tart and sweet flavors. Crisp vodka and fresh citrus mingle, creating a refreshing drink perfect for summer celebrations.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 45 ml (1 ½ oz) vodka (preferably citrus-flavored)
  • 30 ml (1 oz) freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 6 fresh raspberries
  • 30 ml (1 oz) simple syrup (adjust to taste)
  • 1 cup crushed ice
  • Granulated sugar (for rimming the glass)
  • Lemon wedge (for rimming the glass)
  • Fresh raspberries (optional)
  • Lemon slice (optional)

Instructions

  1. Glass Preparation: Glide a lemon wedge around the edge of a chilled martini glass, then dip the moistened rim into granulated sugar, creating a sparkling crystalline border.
  2. Raspberry Infusion: Crush fresh raspberries in a cocktail shaker, pressing firmly to extract their vibrant crimson juices and release intense berry essence.
  3. Liquid Composition: Add vodka, freshly squeezed lemon juice, simple syrup, and a generous handful of crushed ice to the shaker with muddled raspberries.
  4. Mixing Technique: Seal the cocktail shaker and vigorously blend ingredients with rhythmic force for 15 seconds, ensuring thorough chilling and flavor integration.
  5. Elegant Presentation: Strain the luminous, ruby-hued liquid through a fine mesh into the sugar-rimmed glass, allowing a smooth cascading pour. Garnish with a fresh raspberry or lemon slice balanced delicately on the glass rim.
  6. Serving Recommendation: Serve immediately, inviting guests to savor the harmonious symphony of tart and sweet flavor profiles in this frosty, fruity libation.

Notes

  • Raspberry Muddling Technique: Press raspberries gently but firmly to extract maximum juice without creating bitter seeds or pulp, which can disrupt the cocktail’s smooth texture.
  • Ice Quality Matters: Use fresh, high-quality crushed ice to prevent watering down the drink and ensure optimal chilling without diluting the intense raspberry-lemon flavor profile.
  • Sugar Rim Precision: Apply a light, even coating of sugar on the glass rim to enhance presentation without overwhelming the cocktail’s delicate balance of tartness and sweetness.
  • Temperature Control: Chill the glass beforehand to maintain the drink’s frosty temperature and preserve the vibrant flavors from first sip to last, creating a consistently refreshing experience.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: Drinks, Cocktails
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2
  • Calories: 155
  • Sugar: 13 g
  • Sodium: 0 mg
  • Fat: 0 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 17 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 0 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
Emily Lawson

Emily Lawson

Content Creator & Culinary Specialist

Expertise

  • Creative Content Writing and Blogging​
  • Plant-Based and Alternative Grilling Recipes​
  • Food Styling and Visual Storytelling​
  • Nutritional Analysis and Healthy Cooking

Education

Oregon Culinary Institute
Diploma in Culinary Arts
Focus: Emphasis on farm-to-table cooking, sustainable practices, and the fusion of global flavors with traditional grilling methods. ​


Emily Lawson is the content creator at Daves Grill, turning tasty ideas into clear, easy recipes. Based in Portland, she trained at the Oregon Culinary Institute and loves cooking with fresh, seasonal ingredients, especially grilled veggies and global flavors.

Emily mixes food writing with hands-on cooking to bring you recipes that feel fun, not stressful. Her goal is to make every dish simple, flavorful, and worth coming back to. Together, she and Dave serve up real food, one recipe at a time.

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