Did you know there’s a history behind everything you eat and drink? When you think about inventions, your mind probably goes to electricity or cars, but even the simplest of inventions deserves recognition. Lemon drop beverages were invented long ago, and are still enjoyed by people all around the globe today. Any invention that sticks around for that long must be pretty great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the history of this delicious drink!
How it’s Made
A lemon drop is a vodka-based cocktail that contains triple sec, simple syrup, and lemon juice. The combination of flavors creates a sweet and sour flavor that packs a lemony punch. The drink is traditionally chilled with ice, strained, and served straight-up in a martini glass.
Where it Began
The lemon drop beverage was created by a man named Norman Jay Hobday at his bar, Henry Africa’s, sometime during the 1970’s. Norman originally served the drink in a cocktail glass. The drink got its name from lemon drop candies that have a similar sweet and sour flavor. The recipe quickly became popular in San Francisco and spread across the nation after that. Overtime, it became the norm to serve the drink in a martini glass with a sugared rim to balance out the sour lemon flavor.
Finding a Great Lemon Drop in 2021
Finding a great lemon drop in 2021 is not as easy as you’d think. Despite how common the beverage is, it’s sometimes made incorrectly or with a different variation that includes other fruits. A true lemon drop beverage shouldn’t have anything that wasn’t included in the original recipe and should be served chilled and strained, never on the rocks.
Trattoria Il Panino is a notable trattoria in Boston’s historic North End that’s known for having some of the best drinks around. Among those great drinks is, of course, the lemon drop beverage! At Trattoria Il Panino, we stick to the history and make this beverage exactly as it was intended. Our staff are highly trained to not only provide the best customer experience possible, but to serve high-quality drinks and food to each and every customer too. We pride ourselves on using only the freshest most high-quality ingredients in all of our meals and drinks, and you’ll be able to tell after the first taste!
Contact Trattoria Il Panino today to make a reservation or stop in to try a lemon drop beverage for yourself. Even if you’d had a lemon drop before, chances are it wasn’t this good! Browse our food and drink menu to try other cocktails during your visit. Since you learned the history of the beverage first, it counts as a history lesson too, right?