How Many Calories in a Lemon Drop Cocktail ?

A standard lemon drop cocktail contains between 210 and 260 calories, depending on the recipe and serving size. Most of those calories come from alcohol and added sugar, with the exact count varying based on how much simple syrup, triple sec, and vodka go into your glass.

The Short Answer

A classic lemon drop made with 1.5 oz vodka, 0.75 oz lemon juice, 0.5 oz simple syrup, and 0.5 oz triple sec clocks in at approximately 214 to 256 calories per serving. If you add a sugared rim, tack on another 20 to 30 calories. The alcohol itself accounts for roughly 60 to 65% of the total calorie content, while the sweeteners make up the rest.

Why the Calorie Count Varies

Recipe Differences

Not all lemon drops are built the same. Some bartenders pour heavier on the simple syrup for a sweeter drink, others dial it back. The amount of triple sec also swings wildly from recipe to recipe. A generous pour of Cointreau (which has more alcohol than basic triple sec) adds both flavor complexity and extra calories. Meanwhile, a lighter hand with the syrup can shave off 30 to 50 calories without sacrificing too much sweetness.

Serving Size Matters

The 3.5 oz serving you’d make at home isn’t always what you get at a bar. Restaurant pours tend to be larger, sometimes reaching 5 or 6 oz, which can push the calorie count past 300. And that sugar rim? It’s not just for show. Depending on how thick the coating is, you’re adding anywhere from 15 to 40 calories of pure sugar before you even take a sip.

Ingredient Choices

Vodka is vodka when it comes to calories (roughly 64 calories per ounce at 80 proof), but your choice of orange liqueur makes a difference. Cointreau sits at 40% ABV and brings about 80 calories per ounce. Standard triple sec is often lower proof and slightly less caloric. Simple syrup is fairly consistent at around 50 calories per half ounce, but if you’re using a store-bought version with added ingredients, that number can creep up.

Breaking Down the Calories

Where the Calories Come From

Here’s how a typical lemon drop breaks down:

Vodka (1.5 oz): approximately 96 calories
Triple sec (0.5 oz): approximately 40 calories
Simple syrup (0.5 oz): approximately 50 calories
Fresh lemon juice (0.75 oz): approximately 5 calories
Sugar rim (optional): approximately 20 to 30 calories

The lemon juice contributes almost nothing to the calorie total. Everything else? That’s where the numbers add up.

Alcohol vs. Sugar Calories

In a standard lemon drop, about 136 calories come from alcohol and roughly 70 to 80 from sugar. This makes it a moderately sweet cocktail compared to something like a piña colada or frozen margarita, which can easily hit 400 calories thanks to cream, coconut, and sugary mixes. But compared to a vodka soda or a dry martini, the lemon drop sits on the sweeter, higher-calorie end of the spectrum.

How a Lemon Drop Compares to Other Cocktails

Context helps. A margarita typically ranges from 220 to 280 calories depending on whether it’s made fresh or from a mix. A cosmopolitan comes in around 200 to 220 calories, making it slightly lighter. A mojito with fresh mint and muddled sugar sits at about 240 calories. On the lower end, a vodka soda with lime barely scrapes 100 calories, while a dry gin martini lands around 120 to 140 calories because there’s no added sugar.

The lemon drop sits comfortably in the middle tier. It’s not a diet drink, but it’s not a calorie bomb either.

Lower-Calorie Lemon Drop Options

Easy Swaps

If you want to keep the flavor but cut some calories, start with the simple syrup. Cutting it in half saves you 25 calories without making the drink unbearably sour. You can also skip the sugar rim entirely and save another 20 to 30 calories right there. Some people replace triple sec with a smaller amount of Cointreau or even fresh orange zest for flavor without the extra liqueur calories.

Another option is using a sugar-free sweetener. Liquid stevia or monk fruit sweetener can replace simple syrup almost entirely, dropping the drink to around 140 to 160 calories. Just be aware that artificial sweeteners change the mouthfeel slightly, and the drink won’t have quite the same silky texture.

Skinny Lemon Drop Recipe

A lighter version uses 1.5 oz vodka, 1 oz fresh lemon juice, 0.25 oz triple sec, a splash of club soda, and a small amount of liquid stevia or agave. This variation lands around 130 to 150 calories and still delivers that bright, citrusy punch without the sugar overload. You lose a bit of sweetness and body, but if you’re tracking calories closely, it’s a solid trade-off.

The key is balancing what you’re willing to adjust with what you actually enjoy drinking. A lemon drop that feels like a compromise isn’t worth the 50 calories you saved.