Two fig and grapefruit twinkle cocktails

18 citrus cocktails

Hannah Guinness

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Add some zesty flavours to your drinks with our best ever citrus cocktails. Try a blood orange margarita, a limoncello spritz or classic gimlet

Looking for a stunning sgroppino or simple spritz to kick off your next summer party in style? Try our citrus cocktails below.

We've got plenty of refreshing summer citrus cocktails, from grown-up negroni highballs to a white port and grapefruit cooler, as well as easy-drinking citrus vodka cocktails like our fruity grapefruit and lychee fizz.

Stock up on spirits for your citrus cocktails with our pick of the best vodkas, gin, aperitifs and tequilas.

Easy citrus cocktail recipes

Fig and grapefruit twinkle cocktail

Elevate your celebration with a grapefruit-infused tipple featuring crème de figue liqueur, boasting a delicately spiced profile.

Two cocktails set against a festive background

Mastiha sour

Mastiha is an ancient Greek digestif made from mastic resin. It has gorgeous pine and minty notes that work so well in this simple sour cocktail, balancing citrusy notes from lemon juice and orange bitters.

Two short cocktails on a table

Ramos gin fizz

This classic New Orleans cocktail not only looks impressive, but is also absolutely delicious: zesty, fluffy and creamy, it tastes like liquid lemon meringue pie. It takes a bit of effort, requiring lots of vigorous shaking, but is well worth it. This method uses a blender as a shortcut but the result is just as good.

Two highball glasses filled with ramos gin fizz cocktail and garnished with a lemon twist

Limoncello spritz

Make your spritz a zesty one with this refreshing idea. You'll need limoncello, sparkling wine, sparkling water and a little thyme to make this speedy cocktail, which will be ready in minutes. The citrus and herbal flavours are perfect partners.

Negroni highball

Blood orange soda, lemon juice and orange bitters are mixed to make this twist on a classic negroni. The recipe comes from Italian restaurant Luca.

Gimlet cocktail

This refreshing gin cocktail gets a citrussy hit thanks to fresh lime juice, homemade lime syrup and mint – perfect for an afternoon in the sun.

Picante cocktail

This cocktail puts a spicy twist on the classic margarita, infused with the warmth of chilli. For an extra layer of smoky depth, swap out the tequila for mezcal.

Two short cocktails garnished with a slice of red chilli

Mediterranean tom collins

Give the classic tom collins a citrus-packed twist with herbaceous gin, bringing the vibrant flavours of the Mediterranean to life. The sharp zest of fresh lemon and a splash of orange create a lively, tangy base, while a sprig of rosemary adds a fragrant, herbal touch.

Blood orange margarita

If your go-to tipple is a zingy margarita, try our eye-catching twist on the classic. Blood oranges add a beautiful ruby red hue to a pitcher of margaritas. Remember to add a large pinch of hot chilli powder to really make your cocktail sing.

Blood Orange Margarita Recipe

Vermouth spritz

A spritz made with dry vermouth rather than Aperol is a more grown-up proposition: fresher, less sweet and far more food-friendly.

Vermouth spritz cocktails with olives on the side

Bitter orange and cardamom martinis

Martinis are one of our favourite mixed alcoholic drinks. We've added sweet and zesty orange marmalade and sharp lemon juice to this classic recipe for a citrus kick. The aromatic cardamom adds an extra layer of flavour and takes your tipple to the next level.

Vodka Martini with Bitter Orange and Cardamom

Seabreeze cocktail

You'll need cranberry vodka, two types of sherry and grapefruit juice for this refreshing cocktail from Manzi's seafood restaurant in Soho.

A tall cocktail with a twist of orange on top

Limoncello and thyme collins

Put a taste of Italy in your glass with this mouth-watering mix. Making your own limoncello is surprisingly easy. Take it as a gift to a barbecue, use it in ice lollies or make this easy twist on a collins. Infusing the spirit takes a little longer, but it's well worth the effort.

Limoncello and thyme collins

Basil and grapefruit cooler

If you are having a party, it's good to have a recipe for an easy, fresh cocktail you can make in a jug for a crowd. This one has a base of vodka and chilled grapefruit juice, and is finished with fresh basil leaves.

basil and grapefruit cooler

Blood orange sgroppino

Sweet and boozy, this twist on a traditional Venetian cocktail of lemon sorbet and prosecco uses blood oranges to give an extra boost of colour and sharp citrus flavour.

Blood orange Campari cocktails

Campari is an Italian herbal liqueur, most famous for its bitter taste, beautiful red colour and the role it plays in the classic negroni. The sweet orange juice in this cocktail balances the slightly bitter taste of Campari to make a refreshing apéritif.

Ginger, honey and citrus shandy

Tangy lemon, lime and orange juice is balanced with light beer, ginger and wildflower honey in this shandy recipe.

Stein glass of ginger and honey syrup mixed with singha beer

Paloma champagne cocktail

Start Christmas morning on a bright note with these zesty paloma cocktails. Just five ingredients, including a dose of fizz and tequila, guarantee everyone’s in a merry mood.

Three orange-coloured cocktails in champagne flutes

Authors

Hannah GuinnessSenior sub editor and drinks writer

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