These 25 citrus co*cktail recipes are just what you need to keep cool and refreshed on a hot summer’s day—patio not included!
When the weather is sweltering and you feel like you’re wilting away to nothing, a bright, refreshing citrus co*cktail is just the ticket. To inspire your summer happy hours (and brunches and lunches and dinner parties!), I’ve collected over 25 citrus co*cktail recipes that will keep you happily sipping all summer long.
Citrus flavors are perfect for summer: they’re bright and a tad zingy with just the right amount of tartness to stop anything from being overly sweet (which can be a bit much on a hot day).
This citrus co*cktail recipe collection has a little bit of everything. You’ll find co*cktails that use lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruits. (Important note: If you’re serving guests, be aware that there are some very common medications that interact with grapefruit or grapefruit juice.)
In this citrus co*cktail list, you will find classic hot weather drinks like margaritas, mojitos, Aperol spritzes, and Moscow mules. But you’ll also find twists on old favorites and some creative new co*cktails to enjoy!
Don’t forget to make the most of summer’s bounty when it comes to garnishing your drinks. Raid your garden for fresh mint, basil, or rosemary for a really fresh take on these delicious citrus co*cktails!
Now all you need is a patio, a big sun umbrella, and maybe a few mini umbrellas to pop in these citrus co*cktail recipes!
Table of Contents: Jump to Recipe! show
Lemon co*cktail Recipes
1. Lemon Pimm’s Lemon Crush co*cktail
by Baked the Blog
Pimm’s Lemon Crush co*cktail pairs the botanical flavor of Pimm’s with bourbon and sweet-tart citrus syrup. Substitute maple syrup for citrus if you prefer!
2. The Penicillin co*cktail
by Food Nouveau
The Penicillin is a Scotch Whiskey co*cktail made with lemon, honey, and ginger. Find out how to make it and what earned the drink its intriguing name!
3. Amaretto Sour
by Masala & Chai
Celebrate summer co*cktail season with a refreshing Amaretto Sour – a sweet, almondy citrus co*cktail recipe. It takes 5 minutes to make with no odd ingredients. You’ll be sipping it poolside in no time!
4. Paper Plane co*cktail
by Food Nouveau
The Paper Plane co*cktail is one of the easiest co*cktails to make at home: no fussy syrups, no hard-to-find bitters, no fancy garnishes. Find out where it comes from and how to make it!
5. Sparkling Limoncello co*cktail
by Inside the Rustic Kitchen
This sparkling limoncello co*cktail is perfect for warm sunny days. It’s sharp, juicy, so refreshing and made with only 3 simple ingredients and garnished with mint leaves and freshly cut lemon slices.
6. Italian Lemon Sgroppino with Prosecco and Vodka
by Family Style Food
Try a delicious Italian lemon sgroppino — a cold, slushy prosecco citrus co*cktail recipe made with fresh lemon and vodka.
7. Meyer Lemon Old Fashioned
by Rhubarbarians
This simple, Meyer lemon old fashioned recipe is a bright and refreshing spin on the classic old fashioned co*cktail with rye, bourbon, or whiskey.
Lime co*cktail Recipes
8. Lime Classic Moscow Mule
by Bacon is Magic
The Moscow Mule is always one of summer’s hottest co*cktails, year after year! Learn the classic 3-ingredient recipe that is so easy to make at home.
9. Classic Margarita Recipe
by The Forked Spoon
This Classic Margarita Recipe is light and refreshing and made right at home with just a few simple ingredients. No need for premade mixes or artificial ingredients, all it takes to make the very best margarita is fresh lime juice, agave, tequila, and orange liqueur.
10. Fresh Lime Tequila Sour
by Family Style Food
A Tequila Sour is a cold and super-refreshing tequila co*cktail with a creamy froth on top has just the right amount of sweet and sour. Shake it up with fresh lime juice, tequila, simple syrup and egg white!
11. Classic Mojito
by The Forked Spoon
The Mojito, a classic Cuban citrus co*cktail recipe, is a refreshing mix of rum, simple syrup (or sugar), fresh lime juice, mint leaves, and bubbly club soda. Learn how to make a Mojito and enjoy this simple and delicious 5-minute co*cktail all year long.
12. Fresh Strawberry Mojito
by Food Nouveau
This refreshing Fresh Strawberry Mojito co*cktail is bright, tangy, and delightfully sweet. You can easily double or triple the recipe to serve a crowd!
13. Gin Basil co*cktail
by Little Sugar Snaps
This basil gin co*cktail is a great makeover of the classic Spring Feeling–a popular Green Chartreuse co*cktail. This version is zesty, herbaceous, colorful, and downright delicious.
Grapefruit co*cktail Recipes
Important note: If you’re serving guests, be aware that there are some very common medications that interact with grapefruit or grapefruit juice. Make sure your guests are aware of this before you serve them these grapefruit co*cktails!
14. Grapefruit Maple Paloma co*cktail
by Food Nouveau
This easy maple paloma co*cktail combines freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, maple syrup, and aromatic tequila to create a fabulously refreshing drink!
15. Grapefruit Champagne co*cktail
by Baking Ginger
This easy-to-make Grapefruit Champagne co*cktail is the perfect citrus co*cktail recipe for every celebration. The combination of zesty grapefruit, fresh thyme, and a little bubbly is a winner!
16. Grapefruit Mojito
by Pizzazzerie
This grapefruit mojito is easy to make, delicious, and perfect for entertaining. Serve it up as a signature co*cktail at your next party! Grapefruit, fresh mint, and lime combine to make the most refreshing grapefruit mojito co*cktail.
17. Rosemary Brown Derby
by The Forked Spoon
The Rosemary Brown Derby is a smooth and refreshing bourbon and grapefruit co*cktail made with bourbon, honey, fresh grapefruit juice, and fresh rosemary.
18. Pink Grapefruit Margaritas with Sriracha Salt
by Fearless Dining
Pink Grapefruit Margaritas are perfect for summer parties! You are going to love the unique sweet and spicy combination of flavors of grapefruit and spicy sriracha salt in this refreshing pink grapefruit margarita recipe.
19. Rose Grapefruit Gin co*cktail
by Baking Ginger
This simple Pink Grapefruit Gin co*cktail is full of bright flavors from fresh grapefruit and rosewater. This easy with rose water is destined to be your new favorite summer drink!
20. Grapefruit Crush
by The Littlest Crumb
This grapefruit crush vodka co*cktail is a tasty and refreshing summer drink made with freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, lemon, and lime juices. This aromatic citrus co*cktail recipe is balanced out with sweet thyme, simple syrup, and a dash of triple sec. This tart grapefruit drink is an easy crowd pleaser that everyone will love!
Orange co*cktail Recipes
21. Classic Aperol Spritz
by Craving California
The Aperol Spritz has become a ubiquitous option on co*cktail menus around the world and for good reason. This bright and refreshing citrus co*cktail recipe is the ultimate thirst-quencher during the sweltering summer months. Cin cin!
22. Orange Creamsicle co*cktail
by Cadry’s Kitchen
This orange creamsicle co*cktail is an adults-only version of a classic frozen treat. It’s easy to make with freshly squeezed orange juice, gin (or vodka), and a splash of vanilla almond milk.
23. Turmeric Orange Spritzer
by Luci’s Morsels
This delicious Turmeric Orange Spritzer was an inspired popular lunch spot in Los Angeles. In essence, this orange spritzer is a delicious, easy spritzer with the addition of a homemade turmeric syrup, which—no worries!—is super easy and can be made in advance.
24. Orange Vanilla Margaritas
by Homemade in the Kitchen
Reminiscent of a creamsicle, these small batch Orange Vanilla Margaritas are made with fresh orange juice, lime juice, and vanilla bean. The recipe makes two drinks, ideal for cozy nights on the terrace. You can easily make several batches to serve a group!
25. Orange Mojito co*cktail
by Girl Heart Food
If you’re looking for an easy rum drink, this orange mojito co*cktail is a must-try! This fruity mojito is a sweeter twist on a classic. As a bonus, this citrus co*cktail recipe comes together in minutes and is extremely refreshing!
Even More Citrus co*cktails
Find even more zesty inspiration in my Citrus co*cktails and Drinks Pinterest board!
