Hard Lemonade

By Rebekah Peppler

Updated June 9, 2024

  • Two light yellow cocktails, garnished with lemon slices are photographed against a pale background. A cocktail shaker is off behind it.
    David Malosh for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.
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Total Time
8 minutes
Rating
4(118)
Comments
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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.

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Ingredients

Yield:1 drink

  • 1 ounce fresh lemon juice

  • 1 ounce vodka or limoncello

  • ½ ounce simple syrup

  • Pinch flaky salt

  • Ice 

  • 3 to 4 ounces soda water, chilled

  • Lemon wedge or wheel, for serving

Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving

18 grams carbs; 127 calories; 2 grams fiber; 178 milligrams sodium; 1 gram protein; 13 grams sugar

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.

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Ratings

4 out of 5
118 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).

Scott

In my family, we call a variation of this an “Aunt Lucy” - crushed ice, limoncello, vodka, and soda water combined with hiding in the kitchen cooking for a mostly ungrateful family.

Kev

Why would anyone ever add simple syrup to limoncello?

So CAL Mary

Or lime juice, gin, tonic and no simple syrup. Hmmm, I guess that's an entirely different drink.

Scott

In my family, we call a variation of this an “Aunt Lucy” - crushed ice, limoncello, vodka, and soda water combined with hiding in the kitchen cooking for a mostly ungrateful family.

DebF

@Scott hahaha. Love this!

Candace

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

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