Yuzu Cocktails: Simple Recipes with an East Asian Twist

The bright, fragrant zing of yuzu has taken the cocktail world by storm. With its bold citrus punch and delicate floral aroma, this East Asian fruit is popping up in bars and home mixology setups everywhere.  

Originally a tasty cornerstone of Asian cuisine, it’s now a sought-after ingredient for creative cocktails that bring a fresh dimension to classic clinkers. In this guide, we’ll explore why this awesome fruit is a game-changer, easy Yuzu cocktails to try, and expert tips on pairing it with different spirits. 

What is yuzu, exactly? A brief introduction

Hailing from East Asia, yuzu is a small, knobby fruit with a golden-yellow rind and an aroma that can fill a room. Unlike your standard lemon or lime, the flavour of yuzu is layered—it’s tart, slightly bitter, and has a fragrant, almost floral complexity.  

In Japan, it’s long been a staple in ponzu sauce, seasonal desserts, and even gets infused into baths or hot springs. But, when used in cocktails yuzu truly shines. Its lively acidity and depth of flavour make it a perfect addition to drinks that need a little extra zing. 

Also see: Asian Cocktail Ingredients to Inspire Your Next Drink 

Why yuzu works so well in cocktails

The appeal of yuzu lies in its balance. It’s tart but not overwhelmingly sour, slightly bitter but never harsh, and fragrant without being overpowering. This gives it a natural versatility, allowing it to highlight everything from smoky Japanese whisky to crisp gin.  

It also plays beautifully with sweet, herbal, and spicy ingredients; think honey, ginger, or even shiso. Whether it’s adding a subtle bite to a highball or brightening up a Margarita, yuzu has a way of making every sip feel just that little bit more special. 

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Must-try yuzu cocktails

1. Yuzu Highball

In Japan, the combination of apple and Shochu is so popular that it’s available as ready-to-drink beverages sold in tins. Of course, fresh is best, so here’s our DIY recipe. 

Ingredients

• 60 ml Shochu

• 75 ml Apple juice (fresh if possible)

• 15 ml Honey syrup

• 15 ml Yuzu juice

• 75 ml Soda water (chilled)

• Apple slices (for garnish)

• Ice

Method

1. Fill a highball glass with ice

2. Add shochu, apple juice, honey syrup, and yuzu juice

3. Stir gently to combine

4. Top with soda water

5. Garnish with apple slices

6. Serve

Read next: The Best Japanese Shochu Cocktails 

2. Japanese Sour

Smoky, sour, smooth, and seductively frothy on top, the Japanese Sour is a spin-off of the classic Whisky Sour.

Ingredients

• 60 ml Japanese whisky

• 10 ml Lemon juice (fresh)

• 10 ml Yuzu juice

• 15 ml Honey syrup

• 1 Egg white

• Bitters (a few drops, for garnish)

• Ice

Method

1. Add Japanese whisky, lemon juice, yuzu juice, honey syrup, and egg white to a shaker

2. Dry shake (without ice) for 10 seconds

3. Add ice cubes and shake again until well chilled

4. Strain into a chilled coupe glass

5. Add a few drops of bitters

6. Serve

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3. Shikoku Mule

Do you love Mule cocktails? We’ve got you with this Shikoku Mule recipe. 

Ingredients

• 30 ml Shochu

• 30 ml Yuzu juice

• Ginger beer (to top)

• Lime or yuzu wedge (for garnish)

• Ice

Method

1. Fill a glass with ice cubes

2. Add shochu and yuzu juice

3. Top with ginger beer

4. Stir gently to combine

5. Garnish with a lime or yuzu wedge

6. Serve

4. Yuzu Spritz

Crisp, citrussy, and easy to love, the Yuzu Spritz brings a bright twist to a classic serve. 

Ingredients

• 20 ml Yuzu juice

• 60 ml Bulldog Gin (opens in new window)

• 15 ml Sugar syrup

• Dash of orange bitters (optional)

• 60 ml Soda water

• Lemon peel (for garnish)

• Ice

Method

1. Add yuzu juice, Bulldog Gin, sugar syrup, and bitters (if using) to a shaker with ice

2. Shake for 15–20 seconds until well chilled

3. Fill an old-fashioned glass with ice and strain the cocktail over it

4. Top with soda water and stir gently

5. Garnish with a lemon peel

6. Serve

Also see: Navigating the Rich Tapestry of Korean Drinking Culture 

5. Yuzu Margarita

A spiffy spin on a classic, the Yuzu Margarita balances tart yuzu with smooth tequila and a hint of sweetness. 

Ingredients

• 30 ml Yuzu juice

• 15 ml Lime juice (fresh)

• 30 ml Grand Marnier (opens in new window)

• 45 ml Espolòn Tequila Blanco (opens in new window)

• 30 ml Sugar syrup (or agave syrup, to taste)

• Small pinch of coarse salt

• Lime wheel (for garnish)

• Salt (for rim)

• Ice

Method

1. Add yuzu juice, lime juice, Grand Marnier, tequila, sugar syrup or agave, and coarse salt to a cocktail shaker with ice

2. Shake for 15–20 seconds until well chilled

3. Rim a glass with salt and fill with ice

4. Strain the cocktail into the prepared glass

5. Garnish with a lime wheel

6. Serve

6. Yuzu Gin & Tonic

A simple yet striking riff on everyone’s favourite summertime sipper, the Yuzu Gin & Tonic delivers crisp citrus with every sip.

Ingredients

• 45 ml Gin

• 15 ml Yuzu juice

• Tonic water (to top)

• Ice

Method

1. Fill a Collins glass with ice

2. Add gin and yuzu juice

3. Stir gently as you slowly top with tonic water, letting bubbles settle

4. Stir once more to blend the flavours

5. Serve

7. Yuzu Martini

Elegant and effortlessly smooth, the Yuzu Martini is a refined take on a timeless classic.

Ingredients

• 75 ml Shochu

• 20 ml Cinzano Vermouth Bianco (opens in new window)

• 2–5 dashes Yuzu juice

• 1 dash Orange bitters

• Lemon peel (for garnish)

• Ice

Method

1. Add shochu, vermouth, yuzu juice, and orange bitters to a mixing glass with ice

2. Stir until well chilled

3. Strain into a coupe or Martini glass

4. Express the oil from a lemon peel over the drink, then drop it in as a garnish

5. Serve

How to use yuzu in cocktails

Fresh yuzu juice and bottled yuzu juice each bring something different to the glass. Fresh juice is bright, vibrant, and packed with natural aromatics, but finding whole yuzu outside of specialty markets can be tricky. Bottled yuzu juice, often imported from Japan, is more accessible and still delivers the fruit’s signature tartness and floral complexity.  

For those looking to experiment, yuzu liqueurs or syrups add depth and sweetness without overpowering the drink. When mixing, balance its tang with honey, sugar syrup, or agave to keep flavours harmonious. 

Finding fresh yuzu in the UK can be a bit of a treasure hunt, as the fruit is rarely available in mainstream grocery stores. However, bottled yuzu juice offers a convenient alternative and is often stocked in specialty food markets and online retailers.  

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Best spirits to pair with yuzu

• Gin. The botanicals in gin highlight the floral and citrusy notes of yuzu, creating crisp, aromatic cocktails. 

• Vodka (opens in new window). A clean canvas for yuzu vodka cocktails that allows the fruit’s brightness take centre stage without interference. 

• Whisky (opens in new window). The rich, smoky depth of whisky plays well against yuzu’s acidity, making for bold, balanced drinks. 

• Tequila. Perfect for citrus-forward cocktails, adding a lively twist to Margaritas and Palomas. 

• Rum (opens in new window). Works beautifully with yuzu, bringing in tropical, slightly sweet notes that enhance the fruit’s tart edge. 

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Garnishes & presentation tips for yuzu cocktails

For a traditional touch, use yuzu peel twists, fresh mint, or delicate edible flowers as garnishes. Glassware also plays a role in presentation; highballs work well for lighter, effervescent drinks, while coupes and rocks glasses suit stronger, stirred yuzu cocktails. To elevate the experience, rim glasses with sugar for sweetness, salt for balance, or a hint of chilli powder for a fiery kick. 

Whether it’s adding a zingy twist to a Margarita, a crisp edge to a Gin & Tonic, or a bold punch to a Whiskey Sour, the magic of yuzu lies in its versatility. Its tart, floral, and slightly bitter notes make it a game-changer in cocktails. Ready to shake things up? Try one of the recipes, mix up your own creation, and share your favourite yuzu drinks with us on social media. For more cocktail inspiration, sign up for our newsletter!