Lemon Drop is a type of cocktail that has origins in the late 1800s. It was originally made with vodka and lemon juice, but as time progressed it evolved to include other ingredients like Vodka, sugar syrup, and lime juice. A common misconception about the history of the lemon drop cocktail is that it was invented in the 1930s. The actual history of this drink has its roots in early 1800s America. At that time, hard liquor was an expensive commodity for most people.
The Civil War, which occurred between 1861 and 1865, caused a spike in demand for extract of citric acid (the primary ingredient found in lemons). This extract was used to make citric acid, which was needed for various food preservation processes. This extract also helped to calm nerve-wracking stomachs during wartime; hence its nickname “morale builder” was born from this period of time.
