The best Lemon Drop you’ve ever had, and you won’t even know why when you’re drinking it. The infused tomato vodka balances out the tartness of the lemons for the most perfectly balanced and drinkable cocktail. Makes 2-3.

This post may contain affiliate links. Read the disclosure policy here.

jump to recipe

The Lemon Drop was one of the first cocktails I ever drank. While on a trip home with my best friend in college, we helped her mom prepare to host a party. She planned to serve the Lemon Drop, her signature drink. The key ingredients were Grey Goose Vodka, stored in the freezer, and fresh lemons from the Farmer’s Market.

As her right hand girls, we helped her get all of the food ready for the party, and after the mandatory trip to procure more Grey Goose (my first experience buying liquor kept under lock and key), we returned home to painstakingly juice lemons and remove any stray seeds into the biggest mason jar she had.

When the party finally came, I remember it tasted boozy, tart, and I’m almost certain I went back to have her add more lemonade because I was not used to such strong drinks (straight liquor to this day still causes me to shiver). That drink, along with the beer can chicken and the stromboli served that evening was my first experience going to a party at someone’s house who loved food as much as I did. I learned so much about hosting from her mom, and I treasure each memory.

It had been a while since I thought of that drink, but when I was thinking of what I should make for the July episode of First Impression, I became inspired by the viral Tomato Lemonade. After watching a few videos, I thought to myself: What if I put tomato in a Lemon Drop?

There are a few different ways to get the tomato essence in this drink. The quick way would be to muddle a few cherry tomatoes in the drink, and strain out the seeds when you pour the drink. I didn’t try this way, but my instincts tell me it would work. The way I chose to add tomato was through infusing vodka. Technically I used the Costco French Vodka, which is one of the best deals in the entire store at $19.89+tax (their domestic vodka is even cheaper at $12.99+tax), and is rumored to be Grey Goose Vodka in a Kirkland label.

The amazing thing about this drink is that you really can’t taste the tomato. I was so skeptical that the flavors from the tomatoes actually infused that I went back and tasted the smallest amount of tomato infused vodka on its own, and lo and behold, the umami tomato flavor was definitely there. Because of the acidity and sweetness of the drink, it’s perfectly balanced by the tomato notes (umami), and it makes the drink one you’re going to have a hard time putting down.

This drink was developed alongside the Tomato Jam Sandwich for my July 2026 episode of First Impression, where I make drinks and appetizers people aren’t going to forget. If you try this please consider leaving a comment below and letting me know what you think so more people can find this recipe!

Other Uses for the Tomato Vodka

As a base for a Bloody Mary. You could use it in a traditional recipe, or replace some of the tomato juice with Clamato or celery juice.
The Vodka in a Martini. Add pickles, olives, you name it for an umami packed twist.
Any other vodka based drink, just have fun with it—and let me know if you try it and what you think!

Tips to getting this recipe right

Use cherry tomatoes. Different tomatoes have different flavor profiles, water content, and texture. Cherry tomatoes have bright, sweet, and concentrated punches of flavor perfect for infusing into a liquor.
Use tomatoes during their season. Tomatoes are one of the vegetables (or fruits?) that are really just best when they’re in season. Tomato season is usually May-October. The good news is that once you’ve infused the vodka, it stays good in the fridge for up to one year.
Squeeze your own lemon juice. While it can be tiresome, juicing your own lemons is always worth it. If you’re in the market for a new juicer, I highly recommend the one I recently purchased as a replacement for my juicer that needed to be replaced because the paint started to flake off. Since you are using your arms instead of your hands the new one is much less tiring to use, and works for lemons and limes.
Use the nicest vodka you can afford. I used the Kirkland French Vodka, and loved it.
Give the vodka and tomatoes enough time to infuse. Technically I just did four days, and had great results, but typically you’ll see recommendations for a 5-7 day infusion.
Shake the cocktail 80-100 times. This is a tip that I heard recently that is allegedly from Martha Stewart, and it doesn’t take as much time as you would think. Apparently, 80-100 shakes perfectly chills the cocktail and dilutes it. I’ve started doing this with shaken cocktails, and can confirm they turn out impeccably chilled each time.
Serve in a martini glass. I found beautiful martini glasses at my local thrift store, and came across tons of options. Definitely try thrifting if you don’t already own some and want to take the presentation of this drink to the next level!
Make your own simple syrup. Add ½ cup sugar and ½ cup water to a small pot and bring to a simmer over medium heat until sugar is dissolved, 3-5 minutes. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one month.

Why you’ll love this recipe

It can be batched and stored the freezer. I’ve learned that the more you can get done in advance, the better, so you can enjoy time with your guests rather than being trapped in the kitchen. If you store it in the freezer, I still recommend shaking it in a cocktail shaker to dilute it.
It’s a fun twist on a familiar classic, and no one will guess what it is! Not even the most experienced lemon drop drinkers will be able to put their finger on why this drink is so good.
Its the perfect drink to celebrate the summer months, and the arrival of tomato season (and warmer temperatures).

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I don’t have time to infuse? I’d say you’d get pretty good infusion if you let the vodka tomato mixture sit for at least three days (I did four), but 7 is a good goal if you have time. Alternatively, you could muddle a few tomatoes with your drink ingredients in the cocktail shaker.

Would the tomato infusion work with another liquor? You technically infuse liquor with almost anything, but my bet is that this would also work well with Tequila Blanco and Gin.

Supplies Needed

Juicer, to juice the lemons
Cocktail shaker with strainer. You could use a jar with a lightly fitting lid if it seals tightly enough
Jigger to measure the ingredients
Martini glasses
Pairing knife, to make the lemon twist garnishes
Strainer and cheesecloth, to strain the tomatoes
Large jar to infuse the vodka

Ingredients for 2-3 Drinks

3.5 oz Tomato Infused Vodka (recipe below)

2 oz Cointreau or Triple Sec

2 oz Lemon Juice

1.5 oz Simple Syrup

1 ½ cups Ice

Sugar rim: ¼ cup sugar and zest of one lemon

1 Lemon for rim and garnishes

Method: Make the lemon twists (directions here, it’s easier than you think!). Make the sugar mixture for the rim. Add sugar to a small wide shallow bowl or plate. Zest lemon into the sugar and set aside. Slightly wet the rim of a martini glass with lemon juice and dip in prepared sugar, repeat as needed.

Add vodka, Cointreau, lemon juice, simple syrup, and ice into a cocktail shaker. Shake 80-100 times and pour into prepared glasses. Serve immediately.

Tomato Infused Vodka

1 pound Cherry Tomatoes cut into eighths

1/2 cup Raw or turbinado sugar

750 ml Vodka

Method: Add ingredients to an airtight jar, cover and store in a dark place for 5-7 days. To strain, pour vodka into a fine meshed strainer lined with cheesecloth. Store in fridge and use within six months for optimal flavor.

To Batch this: Makes enough for 8-12, add the following to a large jar or bottle

14 oz Tomato Infused Vodka

8 oz Cointreau or Triple Sec

8 oz Lemon Juice

6 oz Simple Syrup

Keep in the freezer until ready to use.

Tomato Lemon Drop

Tomato Lemon Drop

Ingredients

Instructions