The Lemon Drop is a classic for a reason—bright, tart, and refreshing—but the standard recipe can be overly sweet. What’s even worse is a standard lemon drop mocktail … you know, when you ask for a mocktail, and your server suggests ordering a lemon drop without the vodka? That’s basically concentrated lemonade.
This non-alcoholic version keeps the spirit of the original while layering in more nuanced citrus flavor to create a Lemon Drop that’s balanced, but more tart than sweet. Yuzu juice adds sharp, floral acidity, and Meyer lemon syrup rounds it out with gentle sweetness. Kava Haven, a lemon-forward kava* spirit, replaces vodka to bring depth, a pleasantly dry finish, and the mellow buzz of kava root. A few dashes of our Orange Cardamom bitters stand in for triple sec, adding lift without extra sugar. The result is vibrant, zesty, and surprisingly complex—a modern non-alcoholic Lemon Drop that’s even better than the original.
You can absolutely make this with standard lemon juice instead of yuzu, or simple syrup in place of Meyer lemon syrup—but this is our favorite version.
*Kava is not recommended during pregnancy or with certain medications.
Leave a Comment