Lemon Droplet Cocktail
By OcadoLife
Published on 14 November 2025
Citrus fans will love this Lemon Droplet Cocktail from master mixologist and bar manager Sasa Ruvidic. “For this cocktail, you’ll need to make oleo-saccharum, which sounds fancy but is just the Latin for oil-sugar. It’s a bartender’s secret ingredient for exceptional cocktails – as well as a great way to use up leftover citrus. I’ve stuck to just lemon here, but clementine, orange, grapefruit or lime all work.” This recipe makes enough oleo-saccharum for 10-12 cocktails – it’ll keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Allow a little extra time for it to cool fully.Time and servings
15 minsTotal time
1Servings
5 minsPrep time
10 minsCooking time
Ingredients
- 20-25g lemon peel (approx. 3-4 lemons)
- 200g caster sugar, plus 2 tbsp
- 30ml freshly squeezed lemon juice, plus 1 lemon wedge and a coin-shaped piece of peel to garnish
- 50ml gin or vodka
Method
Step 1
For the oleo-saccharum, put the lemon peel and 200g sugar in a saucepan with 200ml water and bring to a simmer. Cook for 5-10 mins until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat and leave to cool completely. Strain the cooled lemon mixture into an airtight jar and store chilled for up to 2 weeks.Step 2
For the cocktail, sprinkle the 2 tbsp sugar onto a saucer. Run the lemon wedge around the rim of a coupette glass, then dip the rim into the sugar.Step 3
Combine the gin or vodka, lemon juice and 15ml of the oleo-saccharum in a cocktail shaker or clean lidded jar. Add ice; shake for 20-30 secs to chill. Strain into the coupette and garnish with the lemon coin.