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Here are all the best lime co*cktails to try! Sample all the classics that star this zesty citrus fruit, from the daiquiri to the margarita.
Love the zesty flavor of the mighty lime? So did the co*cktail masters. Turns out, many of the most popular classic mixed drinks are lime co*cktails! The classic daiquiri, gimlet, margarita and mojito all have one thing in common: they’re made with lime! This humble fruit powers some of the most iconic alcoholic drinks there are.
Here are all the best classic lime co*cktails! There’s something for everyone here: these mixed drinks span the gamut of rum, vodka, tequila, gin…and even a few more unique liquors. Let’s get started!
And now: the best classic lime co*cktails to try!
Classic Daiquiri
One of the most famous lime co*cktails of them all: the classic daiquiri! This perfectly balanced co*cktail stars lime juice, rum, and simple syrup. A classic daiquiri is not frozen at all: it's served straight up in a co*cktail glass and thought to have been invented in the 1800’s in Cuba.
Also try:Hemingway Daiquiri,Strawberry Daiquiri,Lime Frozen Daiquiri
Gin Gimlet
Tied for the top lime co*cktail: the Gimlet! This classic features lime juice, gin and simple syrup, a textbook sour co*cktail. While it became ultra popular in the 1950's, a recipe was included in a 1930’s co*cktail book, so it stems back to at least that far!
Also try:Vodka Gimlet,French Gimlet,Basil Gimlet
Classic Margarita
Perhaps it's a three-way tie for the top lime co*cktails? Don't forget the most famous of them all: the Margarita! Likely originating in the 1930's, the margarita is one of the most classic sours of all time: drinks that feature liquor, sweetener and citrus. The classic recipe is tequila, lime, and Cointreau, and it's perfect in its simplicity.
Also try:all our Best Margarita Recipes, like Jalapeño,Skinny, Mezcal, Beergarita,Cadillac, Mango, Italian, and more!
Classic Mojito
Yet another ultra popular lime co*cktail...the Mojito! Some say it was invented in the 1500s, others in the 1800's with the birth of the Bacardi rum company. In any case, its place as an iconic Cuban co*cktail was solidified by the 1930's when Ernest Hemingway helped to popularize the drink. It's perfectly. balanced with lime, rum and fresh mint and equally as popular today (if not more so).
Also try: Limoncello Mojito
Classic Moscow Mule
Another great lime co*cktail starring vodka: the Moscow mule! This classic was born in the 1940’s: made with vodka, ginger beer, and lime and always served up in a copper mug. Why the mug? The coolness of the glass when you sip makes it taste ice cold.
Also try:Mexican Mule,Mezcal Mule,Kentucky Mule,Irish Mule, Gin Gin Mule,Watermelon Mule,Cider Mule
Dark and Stormy co*cktail
Just 3 ingredients make up this classic lime co*cktail: theDark and Stormy! This refreshinghighball drinkhas quite the reputation…because it’s just that good. Each ingredient has lots of personality: the rich, earthy dark rum, with vanilla and brown sugar notes. Add to that spicy ginger beer, fruity and filled with effervescent bubbles. Top it off with a squeeze of tangy lime, and there’s not much better for sipping...any time and any season.
Also try: Cuba Libre
Pisco Sour
There’s truly no drink like it. Meet the classic pisco sour! This lime co*cktail from Peru is mega popular for a reason. It’sjust that good. There are lots of famous sours, from the Whiskey SourandAmaretto Sour to the two-tonedNew York Sour. But there’s really nothing like a pisco sour. The way the pisco melds with the lime makes it bright, mellow, and distinctly magical.
Lime Rickey
Here’s a bubbly drink that’s equally as refreshing as a co*cktail or mocktail: theLime Rickey! This refreshing drink is a cousin of the classicGin Rickey, though some people consider it the same drink. Make it with gin or whiskey, or use our mocktail substitutes. Take one sip and it’s fizzy, bubbly, and ultra tangy: with effect of jumping into a cold pool on a hot summer day.
Old Cuban co*cktail
Want a Mojito topped off with champagne? (Yes, please.) Enter theOld Cuban co*cktail: one partMojito, one partFrench 75. This mashup co*cktail is a modern classic created by a famous bartender in the early 2000’s. It’s truly anincredibledrink. It’s minty fresh, with complexity from the bitters and vanilla and coconut notes from the aged rum. Combine it with a splash of bubbles, and it’s a co*cktail masterpiece if you ask us!
Caipirinha co*cktail
If you haven’t tried aCaipirinha, well: you haven’t lived! Yes, the national drink of Brazil is just that good. In fact, it’s one of our favorite co*cktails because there’s truly nothing like it. It’s made with cachaça, a liquor made of sugar cane, which tastes like a funky version of rum. Combine that with lime, sugar and lots of ice, and you’ve got one of the uniquely refreshing lime co*cktails on the planet.
Southside
Rounding out our lime co*cktails is another classic: the Southside! Thisgin co*cktail recipefeatures bright citrus, herbaceous mint, and botanical gin. It's almost like a gin mojito! While it's not always made with lime, the lemon lime combination is often used and particularly stunning.
Also try:Southside Fizz, Sake Southside
A few more great lime co*cktails
Want more inspiration? There are a few more great co*cktails with lime that we couldn’t leave out:
- Vodka Tonic One of the easiest mixed drinks of all time! This two-ingredient co*cktail is bubbly, citrusy, and refreshing.
- Jungle Bird A tropical rum co*cktail with a twist! Bitter Campari offsets sweet pineapple juice to make a balanced, refreshing mixed drink.
- Tequila Sour A delightful sweet tart drink with a frothy foam topping: a mashup of a 1920’s sour co*cktail with a margarita.
- Fernet Sour co*cktail One of the most unique craft co*cktails! Also known as the Industry Sour, it stars Fernet-Branca and lime.
Best lime juicer
When you’re making lime co*cktails, a good citrus juicer is a must! Using a juicer makes sure you get all the juice out of the lime without cramping your fingers. It’s especially helpful when you’re juicing lots of limes, like for a margarita pitcher.
In the market for a lime juicer? Here’s a link to the juicer we have: it’s slick and juices limes in an instant!
Classic Daiquiri (& More Lime co*cktails!)
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- Author: Sonja Overhiser
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
Description
One of the most classic lime co*cktails! This daiquiri recipe has the perfect balance of boozy, tart and sweet with rum, lime and sweetener.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ ounces (3 tablespoons) best quality light or white rum
- 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) lime juice
- ½ ounce (1 tablespoon)simple syrupor maple syrup
- Lime slice, for garnish
Instructions
- Add the rum, lime juice, and syrup to a co*cktail shaker. Fill it with ice and shake until cold.
- Strain into a co*cktail glass. Serve garnished with a lime slice.
- Category: Drink
- Method: Shaken
- Cuisine: co*cktails
- Diet: Vegan
About the authors
Sonja & Alex
Hi, we’re Alex and Sonja Overhiser, married cookbook authors, food bloggers, and recipe developers. We founded A Couple Cooks to share fresh, seasonal recipes and the joy of cooking! Our recipes are made by two real people and work every time.
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