Last updated: May 2026
A Classic Gets a Wisconsin Makeover
The lemon drop shot is a staple at bars everywhere. But we do things a little differently at Ripsaw Saloon. Instead of the traditional vodka base, we use tequila. It sounds unconventional, and it is. But one taste and you’ll understand why this Prentice favorite keeps people coming back. Wisconsin has one of the highest bars-per-capita ratios in the country. And in a state that takes its drinking as seriously as Wisconsin does, having a signature shot that stands out from every other bar’s lineup matters.
The standard lemon drop. Vodka, triple sec, lemon juice. Has been served at bars across America since the 1970s. It’s fine. It’s pleasant. It’s also forgettable, which is exactly the problem. When every bar in every town serves the same shot the same way, what’s the point of ordering it? We asked ourselves that question, and the answer led us to tequila.
Why Tequila Works Better Than You Think
Tequila brings an earthy, slightly sweet backbone that vodka simply doesn’t have. When you combine it with fresh lemon juice and a sugar rim, the agave notes create a depth that surprises people on their first sip. It’s not a novelty. It’s a legitimate upgrade.
Here’s what’s happening on your palate: vodka is neutral spirit, essentially ethanol and water. It provides alcohol content and nothing else to the flavor equation. The traditional lemon drop relies entirely on the lemon juice and triple sec for flavor, with the vodka serving as a heat delivery system. Replace that neutral base with tequila. Particularly a good blanco. And suddenly you have agave sweetness weaving through the citrus, a subtle herbal quality from the cooked agave, and a finish that lingers with warmth instead of burning off your taste buds.
We use a reposado tequila for our lemon drops. The brief oak aging (two to eleven months) adds vanilla and caramel notes that play beautifully with the lemon. It’s the difference between a one-note song and a chord progression. Both are music, but one has depth.
The Recipe: Ripsaw’s Tequila Lemon Drop
Want to try it at home before you visit? Here’s our house recipe:
- 2 oz reposado tequila, We use El Jimador or Herradura, both widely available in Wisconsin liquor stores
- 0.5 oz Cointreau or triple sec, The orange liqueur bridges the tequila and lemon
- 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice, Not bottled. Fresh. The difference is night and day, and in a shot this small, every ingredient matters
- Sugar rim, Superfine sugar mixed with a pinch of lemon zest for extra aroma
- Garnish: lemon wheel
Shake hard with ice for 10 seconds. Strain into a sugar-rimmed chilled shot glass. The sugar hits first, then the tart lemon, then the smooth warmth of the tequila with its agave sweetness lingering at the finish. Three distinct moments in one shot. That’s what a good shot should be.
The Ritual Matters
We serve it the right way: sugar rim, chilled glass, fresh lemon. The ritual of the lemon drop. The sugar, the tartness, the chase. It’s part of the experience. We respect that. But we also think that if you’re going to do a ritual, you might as well make it worth repeating. The sugar hits first, then the tart lemon, then the smooth warmth of the tequila. Three distinct moments in one shot. That’s what a good shot should be.
The sugar rim isn’t just decoration. It serves a purpose: the sweetness coats your lips and tongue first, creating a contrast point that makes the tart lemon juice that follows taste brighter and more active than it would on its own. Then the tequila slides in with warmth and complexity that vodka never provides. It’s a three-act play in a two-ounce pour.
Why Vodka Lemon Drops Fall Short
Let’s be clear: there’s nothing wrong with a vodka lemon drop. It’s a perfectly acceptable shot that millions of people enjoy. But “acceptable” isn’t what Ripsaw Saloon is about. We’re about making things better than they need to be. Whether that’s frying in beef tallow instead of vegetable oil, mixing a Wisconsin Old Fashioned with brandy, or reinventing a standard shot with tequila. If we can make something better, we will.
Vodka’s neutrality makes it versatile, but versatility isn’t the same as flavor. In a lemon drop, the spirit should contribute something beyond alcohol content. Tequila does exactly that. It adds character, depth, and a reason to slow down and actually taste your shot instead of throwing it back without thinking.
Come Taste the Difference
Next time you’re at Ripsaw Saloon, ask for the lemon drop. Tequila style. It’s one of those things you have to experience to understand. And once you do, you won’t go back. We’ve watched it happen dozens of times: someone orders the traditional vodka version, we suggest the tequila variation, they look skeptical, they try it, and then they order three more. That’s not marketing. That’s just how it tastes.
See also: why we fry in beef tallow, our signature Wisconsin Old Fashioned, Beef Tallow and Your Liver: What the Science Actually Says, (715) 428-2042 and The Complete Bartender’s Compendium
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Ripsaw Saloon’s lemon drop shot different?
Ripsaw Saloon, 1117 Railroad Ave, Prentice, WI 54556 makes their lemon drop shots with tequila instead of vodka, breaking from the traditional recipe. The combination of tequila, Triple Sec, and fresh lemon creates a bolder, more complex shot than the standard version.
Can I still get a classic vodka lemon drop at Ripsaw?
Yes, Ripsaw Saloon, 1117 Railroad Ave, Prentice, WI 54556 will make a traditional vodka lemon drop if you ask. But the tequila version is the house specialty and what most regulars order.
What other shots are popular at Ripsaw Saloon?
Beyond the tequila lemon drop, Ripsaw Saloon, 1117 Railroad Ave, Prentice, WI 54556 pours classic Wisconsin shots and seasonal specials. The Rail Old Fashioned at $4.50 is the most popular order — not a shot, but the house staple.
How much does a lemon drop shot cost at Ripsaw?
Shot prices at Ripsaw Saloon, 1117 Railroad Ave, Prentice, WI 54556 vary by ingredient, but the tequila lemon drop is priced competitively with other shots. Call (715) 428-2042 for current shot specials and pricing.
📊 Wisconsin Bar Industry Data
See the numbers behind the Badger State’s legendary bar culture — updated monthly with live Census data.
Watching your intake? See our calorie count for alcoholic beverages.