15 Sublime Lime Cocktails to Zest Up Your Sip

August 19, 2022 by

If you find lime cocktails utterly sublime, step right this way, honey; we’ve got you covered. See, we are not technically allowed to play favorites, but cocktails with lime juice in the mix are just so divine that it’s hard not to… So, to get you ready to zest with the best, here are 15 of our top recipes you’ve got to try at home!

1. Mojito

Arguably one of the most popular cocktails with lime around the globe, the Mojito combines white rum, lime, mint, sugar, and a little club soda for a fizzy finish. We love Trois Rivières White Rum (opens in new window) for its honey notes and spice-forward flavor. Another winner is Wray and Nephew Overproof Rum (opens in new window) with its rich molasses notes, also offering a good, subtle base for this amazing cocktail.

2. Lime Margarita

Ah, the Lime Margarita is yet another complete classic. There are so many different versions of the Margarita cocktail around these days that you’d be forgiven for not realizing that this deceptively clinker is actually the OG drink that started the whole craze… It’s so fresh and zesty and wonderfully easy to make at home. Enjoy!

Espolòn Tequila Blanco (opens in new window) is an excellent choice for a Lime Margarita. Crafted from 100% Blue Weber Agave, it offers a smooth, balanced profile with notes of sweet agave, tropical fruit, and lemon zest. These flavors harmonize beautifully with fresh uice and orange liqueur, paving the way for an authentic Margarita experience.

3. Gin Rickey

If you feel in the mood for something very light on a hot summer’s day, the Gin Rickey is a fantastic option. Combining Bulldog Gin (opens in new window), lime juice, and club soda, this is a delightful cocktail that will cool you down in the summer heat.

4. Caipirinha

The Caipirinha is often mixed up with the Mojito, but there are big differences in both presentation and taste. While both drinks use fresh lime and sugar, the Mojito is underpinned by white rum, which is less herbaceous than the taste of cachaça that is used in a Caipirinha. Both are definitely on our list of the best citrus-laced sippers that everyone should try at least once.

5. Lime Daiquiri

The classic Daiquiri uses only three simple ingredients, and the recipe is a delicate balancing between the sweet and the sour. It’s a fresh and straightforward cocktail that is very similar to a Classic Margarita in that you’ll be using fresh lime juice and sugar syrup, but instead of tequila, you’ll be using light rum.

6. Cosmopolitan

Although the Cosmopolitan cocktail is one of the more popular cocktails from the 60s, it’s just as popular today, and you can easily bring it to life in the comfort of your home. It combines citrus-infused SKYY Vodka (opens in new window), Grand Marnier (opens in new window), lime and cranberry juice, and an orange peel to garnish. These ingredients blend to create a gorgeous drink that has a little citrusy sweetness balanced by the lovely sharpness of the citrus.

7. Gimlet

The Gimlet is crisp, smooth, and effortlessly classy. It has a cool, zesty edge with just enough bite to keep things interesting, striking the perfect balance between sharp and laid-back. Think of it as the kind of cocktail that feels timeless—sophisticated without being stuffy, equally at home in a chic bar or a relaxed evening catch-up.

8. Moscow Mule

Easy summer cocktails don’t get any easier than this. Traditionally served in copper mugs, the Moscow Mule cocktail combines vodka, lime juice, and ginger beer. Citrus wedges and mint leaves are often used as garnishes to make the drink even more aromatic.

9. Old Cuban

The Old Cuban is elegant, bubbly, and full of charm. It carries a rich depth with a touch of sparkle, blending classic sophistication with celebratory flair. Think of it as a cocktail that feels luxurious yet inviting—perfect for when you want something refined but still playful and full of life.

10. Mai Tai

One of the best fruity cocktails to pour if you love a hint of zest, the Mai Tai is a classic drink that brings a serious hint of tropical swagger to the party. This rum-based Tiki drink is on the International Bartenders Association’s official list of cocktails, and for good reason. Rum-forward with a subtle sweetness from the orange and tartness from the citrus, the addition of orgeat syrup adds an interesting almond flavor. It’s lovely and complex — just the way we like it.

11. Southside

The Southside is bright, cool, and effortlessly smooth. It’s got a fresh, uplifting vibe with a whisper of sophistication, striking a balance between lively energy and easygoing charm. Think of it as the cocktail equivalent of a sunny afternoon with a stylish twist.

12. Dark ’n Stormy

The Dark ’n Stormy cocktail recipe has been around for more than a century but still hits all of the right flavor notes today. Super simple to pour, yet gorgeously zesty to the core, it’s a great seaside sipper and tailor-made for hot summer days.

13. Pisco Sour

Featuring pisco (a clear Latin American brandy), simple syrup, lime juice, and egg white as ingredients, the Pisco Sour comes to the party with a terrific mix of tart, sweet, silky, and herbaceous flavors.

14. Last Word

This cocktail is a beautifully balanced drink that walks the fine line between subtle sweetness and inviting tartness, underpinned by the captivating aroma of ripe cherries and bitter herbs. Absolutely delicious!

15. Cuba Libre

The aptly named Cuba Libre was first created in Cuba and eventually became a popular drink in the US during Prohibition. Made with a classic combination of white rum, cola, and citrus, it’s an amazing cocktail that captures Cuba’s spirit and is loved around the world.

There you have it – 15 of the best lime cocktails you can make at home and impress your guests even if you’re a newbie to the mixology game. In the meantime, sign up for our newsletter (opens in new window) for more inspiration and to stay in the Mix.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Lime juice is a very versatile mixer that combines well with everything from SKYY Vodka and Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon to Trois Rivières White Rum with its honey notes and spice-forward flavor. Another winner is Wray and Nephew Overproof Rum with its rich molasses notes, also offering a good, subtle base.

We always recommend using freshly squeezed lime juice for an extra zesty finish. Look for a nice juicy citrus fruit that is somewhat soft to the touch; these will give you plenty of juice.

The juice from this citrus fruit adds a delightfully green, zesty note to cocktails - something that is tricky to achieve with any other ingredient, even citrus juices like lemon or grapefruit.

Bottled juice works very well for cocktails when you don't have access to, or time to squeeze, fresh juice.

The two juices two very distinct flavor profiles, but both add a citrus note to cocktails. As such, you can swap it out in a pinch, but there will definitely be a difference in taste.

Lime and whiskey combine very well in summer whiskey cocktails like the classic Moscow Mule.

Lime is a popular ingredient in many cocktails because it adds a tart flavor that balances out the sweetness of other ingredients. This citrus juice is often used to provide acidity and brightness to cocktails, and can be found in drinks such as Margaritas, Mojitos, and Daiquiris. It can also help to enhance the aromas of other ingredients in a mixed drink.