There's a good reason lime is such a staple in so many cocktails. You can capitalize on its sour flavors or soften the blow by making it smooth and sweet. This flavor is an easy favorite, whether you shake up a lime cocktail with cordial, infused liquor, or by whipping up a few cocktails with lime juice.
Gin and Lime Cocktails
Sour and gin go well together, as herbal juniper notes create an excellent balance to lime flavors.
Gin Gimlet
Push the lime into the spotlight in a classic gimlet.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces gin
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- Ice
- Lime ribbon for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, gin, lime juice, and simple syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with lime ribbon.
Gin Rickey
There's nowhere for the sour flavors of lime to head in a Gin Rickey cocktail, making it ideal for those who love lime.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces gin
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- Ice
- Club soda to top off
- Lime wedge for garnish
Instructions
- In a highball glass, add ice, gin, and lime juice.
- Top off with club soda.
- Garnish with lime wedge.
Aperol Gin Cocktail
Play with sour and soft bitter flavors in this simple apéritif cocktail.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces gin
- 1 ounce Aperol
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- Ice
- Club soda to top off
- Lime wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, gin, Aperol, lime juice, and simple syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with lime wheel.
The Bad Word
A riff on the Last Word, this lime cocktail is quite a bit more bitter than its counterpart but still packs a sour touch.
Ingredients
- ¾ ounce gin
- ¾ ounce green chartreuse
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ¾ ounce Gran Classico or Campari
- Ice
- Lime wedge for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, gin, green chartreuse, lime juice, and Gran Classico.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with lime wedge.
The Last Word
The last word is a wonderfully classic cocktail that's herbaceous, sour, and the right amount of sweet.
Ingredients
- ¾ ounce gin
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ¾ ounce maraschino liqueur
- ¾ ounce green chartreuse
- Ice
- Cocktail cherry for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, gin, lime juice, maraschino liqueur, and green chartreuse.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with cocktail cherry.
Whiskey and Lime Cocktails
You may not think that whiskey and lime make for a good match, but you'll soon change your tune after considering one of these recipes.
Kentucky Mule
With a few swaps, your simple mule cocktail becomes a sour bourbon dream.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces bourbon
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- Ice
- Ginger beer to top off
- Lime wedge and mint sprig
Instructions
- In a rocks glass or copper mug, add ice, bourbon, and lime juice.
- Top off with ginger beer.
- Garnish with lime wedge and mint sprig.
Bourbon Rickey
Swap your gin for bourbon in this lime rickey.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces bourbon
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- Ice
- Club soda to top off
- Lime wedge for garnish
Instructions
- In a rocks or highball glass, add ice, bourbon, and lime juice.
- Top off with club soda.
- Garnish with lime wedge.
Lime Whiskey Sour
Lemon gets the night off in this changeup on a traditional whiskey sour.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces whiskey
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- 1 egg white
- Crushed ice
- Orange ribbon, cherry, and lime wedge for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add bourbon, lime juice, simple syrup, and egg white.
- Dry shake for approximately 45 seconds to mix ingredients and create a froth.
- Add ice to shaker.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over crushed ice.
- Garnish with orange ribbon, cherry, and lime wedge.
Nor'easter
Don't take this cocktail lightly, as it packs a punch just like its namesake windstorm.
Ingredients
- 3 ounces bourbon
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ¾ ounce maple syrup
- Ice
- Ginger beer to top off
- Lime wheel for garnish, optional
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, bourbon, lime juice, and maple syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Top off with ginger beer.
- Garnish with lime wheel, if desired.
Rum and Lime Cocktails
Give your lime a tropical or lighter spin with rum.
Daiquiri
This daiquiri recipe calls for an entire ounce of lime juice. And if that's not enough for your lime-loving heart, add an extra splash.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces white rum
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ¾ ounce simple syrup
- Ice
- Lime wheel for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, white rum, lime juice, and simple syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with lime wheel.
Mojito
You may think of mint before lime in a mojito, but it's a cocktail you can easily modify to emphasize one ingredient over another.
Ingredients
- 6-8 fresh mint leaves
- 1½ ounces white rum
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- Crushed ice
- Club soda to top off
- Lime wedge and mint sprig for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle mint leaves with simple syrup.
- Add ice, white rum, and lime juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into highball glass over crushed ice.
- Top off with club soda.
- Garnish with lime wedge and mint sprig.
Caipirinha
Give this Brazilian cocktail a spin by muddling an entire lime to capture fresh lime flavors.
Ingredients
- 4-5 lime wedges
- 2 ounces cachaça
- 1 sugar cube
- Ice
- Lime wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In a rocks glass, muddle lime wedges and sugar cube.
- Add ice and cachaça.
- Stir to mix.
- Garnish with lime wheel.
Papa Doble
Sometimes known as a Hemingway daiquiri, this rich daiquiri will still make you pucker in all the right ways.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces gold rum
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ ounce maraschino liqueur
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
- Ice
- Lime ribbon for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, gold rum, lime juice, maraschino liqueur, and grapefruit juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with lime ribbon.
Cuba Libre
The classic rum and cola get a boost from lime juice in this cocktail.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces rum
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- Ice
- Cola to top off
- Lime wedge and mint sprig for garnish
Instructions
- In a highball glass, add rum and lime juice.
- Top off with cola.
- Stir to mix.
- Garnish with lime wedge and mint sprig.
Vodka and Lime Cocktails
Vodka's nearly flavorless taste makes for an excellent base in lime cocktails.
Cosmopolitan
A traditional cosmo has tart flavors ready to go. If you're looking for even more lime, consider lime-infused vodka or adding an extra splash of lime juice.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces citron vodka
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ ounce orange liqueur
- ½ ounce cranberry juice
- Ice
- Lime wedge for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, citron vodka, lime juice, orange liqueur, and cranberry juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with lime wedge.
Lime Drop Martini
Skip the traditional lemon drop in favor of this new-age version.
Ingredients
- Lime wedge and sugar for rim
- 2 ounces lime vodka
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ¾ ounce simple syrup
- ¼ ounce orange liqueur
- Ice
- Lime slice for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- To prepare rim, rub the rim of the martini glass or coupe with the lime wedge.
- With the sugar on a saucer, dip either half or the entire rim of the glass in the sugar to coat.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, lime vodka, lime juice, simple syrup, and orange liqueur.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into prepared glass.
- Garnish with lime slice.
Caipiroska
Rely on vodka in this riff on the caipirinha. The lime will shine even more!
Ingredients
- 4-5 lime wedges
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1-2 sugar cubes
- Ice
Instructions
- In a rocks glass, muddle lime wedges with sugar cubes.
- Add ice and vodka.
- Stir to mix.
Kamikaze
Usually enjoyed a shot, the tasty kamikaze lime drink makes for an incredible martini to sip slowly in the sunshine.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ¾ ounce orange liqueur
- Ice
- Lime wedge for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vodka, lime juice, and orange liqueur.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with lime wedge.
Vodka Lime Highball
Don't forget that you can always keep it simple with a perfectly sour lime highball.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces vodka
- ¾ ounce lime cordial
- Ice
- Club soda to top off
- Lime wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In a highball glass, add ice, vodka, and lime cordial.
- Top off with club soda.
- Garnish with lime wheel.
Traditional and Unexpected Lime Cocktails
Highlight lime flavors in traditional cocktails or with an unusual pairing.
Margarita
A classic margarita relies on lime to do the heavy lifting to keep the ingredients balanced. Opt for equal parts tequila and lime juice if you want even more of that flavor.
Ingredients
- Lime wedge and salt for rim
- 1½ ounces tequila
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ ounce orange liqueur
- ½ ounce agave
- Ice
- Lime slice for garnish
Instructions
- To prepare rim, rub the rim of the glass with the lime wedge.
- With the salt on a saucer, dip either half or the entire rim of the glass in the salt to coat.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur, and agave.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into prepared glass.
- Garnish with lime slice.
Tequila Sour
Skip a few margarita ingredients, add an egg white, and you have a protein-packed tequila drink.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces tequila
- ¾ ounce simple syrup
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 egg white
- Ice
- Lime wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add tequila, simple syrup, lime juice, and egg white.
- Dry shake for approximately 45 seconds to mix ingredients and create a froth.
- Add ice to shaker.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with lime wheel.
Fernet Sour
Occasionally known as the industry sour, bitter Fernet and lime create a memorable and divisive cocktail.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces Fernet
- ¾ ounce green chartreuse
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ¾ ounce simple syrup
- 1 egg white
- Ice
- Lemon twist for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add Fernet, green chartreuse, lime juice, simple syrup, and egg white.
- Dry shake for approximately 45 seconds to mix ingredients and create a froth.
- Add ice to shaker.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with lemon twist, if desired.
Lime Cocktails to Delight and Surprise
On your next trip to the store, grab a bag of limes as you tackle your grocery list. Bottled lime juice, while convenient, doesn't hold a candle to a cocktail made with freshly squeezed lime juice. Or use those limes to infuse your favorite spirit. However you go about it, add a little zest to life with lime cocktails.
