Hard Lemonade

By Rebekah Peppler

Updated June 10, 2024

Hard Lemonade
David Malosh for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.
Total Time
8 minutes
Rating
4(102)
Comments
Read comments

This recipe is far removed from the spiked six packs of yore. The cocktail’s hard lemon base is a combination of fresh lemon juice, vodka or limoncello, simple syrup and a pinch of flaky sea salt. The salt serves to enhance, balance and brighten, while a final topping of bubbly soda water lengthens and elevates. When choosing between vodka or limoncello, follow your palate. Vodka offers a more straightforward flavor. The limoncello variation is sweeter — though nothing approaching cloying — and a bit more complex.

Featured in: 2 Simple Cocktails for Lemon Lovers

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Ingredients

Yield:1 drink
  • 1ounce fresh lemon juice
  • 1ounce vodka or limoncello
  • ½ounce simple syrup
  • Pinch flaky salt
  • Ice 
  • 3 to 4ounces soda water, chilled
  • Lemon wedge or wheel, for serving
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (1 servings)

126 calories; 0 grams fat; 0 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 0 grams monounsaturated fat; 0 grams polyunsaturated fat; 18 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 13 grams sugars; 1 gram protein; 178 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a shaker, combine the lemon juice, vodka or limoncello, simple syrup and salt. Add ice and shake until well chilled. Fill a rocks glass with ice. Strain the cocktail into the glass and top with soda water. Garnish with the lemon wedge or wheel.

Ratings

4 out of 5
102 user ratings
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Comments

jmd

Switch out the vodka with Beefeater gin (which has a citrusy note) and add a touch of St. Germaine, eliminate the simple syrup and you decide on the soda water (optional in my book).

Kev

Why would anyone ever add simple syrup to limoncello?

MARLA

I also mixed gin with lemonade, which is similar to this recipe. It made for a refreshing summertime combination.

Candace

I substitute maple syrup for simple syrup. Always an upgrade! And this is a terrific drink.

Nancy

Gin and lemonade is called a Tom Collins

LT

Add some sliced strawberries and a splash of Campari, and you'll get a very special strawberry lemonade. Better if you let the strawberries sit in the lemonade for a bit before serving. Also good to make as a batch drink.

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