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If you love all things lemon, this round up of lemon cocktails is just for you! From classic favorites like a Limoncello Spritz to modern creations like a Lavender Lemonade, each lemon cocktail is bursting with vibrant citrusy flavor. Shake, stir, and blend your way to happy hour!
table of contents
about lemon cocktails
lemon cocktail recipes
my must-haves for my home bar
just one more thing…
about lemon cocktails
Lemon is a must at all times in our home. Whether it’s a splash of lemon juice to add acid to a meal, or a bunch of lemons to make fresh lemonade, lemons are a central ingredient for everyday use.
Of course, we are lemon enthusiasts who love that tart and tangy taste. So we gathered up some of our favorite lemon cocktails that are bursting with bright citrus flavor and a refreshing tang. Whether you are hosting a party, enjoying a cozy night in, or pairing a drink with a meal for a dinner party, this post has you covered.
You’ll find a variety of lemon-infused libations that are easy and flavorful. From classic favorites like the timeless Limoncello Spritz to innovative creations like a homemade Lavender Lemonade cocktail, there’s something for every palate.
lemon cocktail recipes
Limoncello Spritz
A Limoncello Spritz is delicious, easy, and refreshing! With just three ingredients, you can craft this classic Italian cocktail for a sunny day spent on the patio. It’s a hit for any gathering and can easily be made to serve a crowd.
Lemon Margarita
A Lemon Agave Margarita is a bright and citrusy take on the classic margarita, but without that pesky over-sweetened margarita mix. Made with fresh lemon juice and agave, this margarita is fresh and vibrant. Plus it can be rimmed with salt OR sugar, depending on your mood!
Vodka Strawberry Lemonade
Vodka Strawberry Lemonade is a fresh and fruity lemonade with just the right amount of booze to help you maximize those lazy summer afternoons! Made with fresh strawberries and lemons, this glass of summer goodness is bursting with fruity flavor. Forget going for the processed stuff – from scratch is oh so much better.
Lemon Mojito
A Lemon Mojito is a refreshing pairing of tangy lemon and crisp sweet mint. This is an easy drink that is perfect for sunny days and casual gatherings. Plus, it’s simple to scale up to a pitcher cocktail to serve to a crowd!
Lemon Basil Cooler Cocktail
A Lemon Basil Cooler cocktail is the quintessential refreshing blend of zesty lemon and aromatic basil! Made with an easy basil simple syrup, this summer sipper has tangy citrus notes with a delicate herbaceous flavor. Served over ice, the bubbly lemon basil cocktail is the ideal balance for any gathering.
Homemade Vodka Lemonade
This is the BEST homemade vodka lemonade you will ever taste. With just four ingredients (and one of them is water!), you can enjoy this fresh and tart boozy treat all summer long. My version is plenty boozy, but you can adjust it to your taste as desired.
Limoncello Martini
A limoncello martini is perfect for entertaining or a relaxing evening at home. The simple four ingredient cocktail is sure to impress with its sweet and tangy flavors. Impress your guests with your mixology skills and indulge in this refreshing drink that will transport you to the sunny streets of Italy. It elevates the classic martini to a whole new level!
Lemon Basil Gin & Tonic
Lemon Basil Gin & Tonic is how I’m upping my gin and tonic game before the summer is over. The bite of the lemon and sweet basil bring out every flavor in the gin! This is all I’m going to be sipping on until the weather turns…
Lavender Lemonade Cocktail
Lavender Lemonade Cocktail is a refreshing and floral sipper that’s ideal to cool off with. Using homemade lavender simple syrup, this is the perfect party drink for all your upcoming spring and summer gatherings. Only 4 ingredients and you can even make it ahead of time!
Meyer Lemon Shandies
Meyer Lemon Shandies are a twist on the classic cocktail, featuring tart Meyer Lemonade and fruity wheat beer. It’s the perfect sipper for a weeknight happy hour or weekend gathering.
Cucumber Lemonade Vodka Cocktail
Cool off with a refreshing Cucumber Cocktail with vodka and lemonade, a low-sugar and tasty option requiring only 5 ingredients and 5 minutes to prepare.
Lemon Drop Champagne Punch
Bubbly Lemon Drop Champagne Punch is a tasty big batch cocktail made with sweet and tart Meyer lemons. This drink hits just the right note for any festive event!
Lemon Meringue Pie Cocktail
A decadent Lemon Meringue Pie Cocktail is a blend of tart lemon curd, vodka, limoncello, and cream soda. It’s like a sweet and tangy slice of pie, in cocktail form.
Sparkling Tuscan Lemonade
Enjoy a burst of freshness in every sip of this Sparkling Tuscan Lemonade. It’s a vibrant twist on classic lemonade with a zesty lemon simple syrup, fresh thyme, and rosemary.
Limoncello Gin Collins
Sip on a fizzy and refreshing Limoncello Gin Collins, boasting a vibrant lemon flavor balanced by minty simple syrup, ideal for quenching your thirst on any occasion.
Lavender Lemon Drop Martini
A light and refreshing Lavender Lemon Drop Martini recipe is a blend of the flavors of lavender, lemon, and sweet orange. With a homemade lavender simple syrup, vodka, and triple sec, it makes the perfect springtime mixed drink.
French 75
Discover the history behind the French 75 Cocktail, originating in Paris in 1915, featuring a blend of Champagne, gin, lemon juice, and sugar. It earns its name from the kick reminiscent of a French 75mm field gun – who knew, right?
Lemonade Mimosa
A bubbly Lemonade Mimosa with lemon brûlée garnish is a real wow-worthy cocktail. Blending citrus zest with bubbly, this drink is made for brunches or celebrations, with a caramelized lemon slice adding a sweet and smoky finish.
Lavender Bee’s Knees
A smooth and refreshing Lavender Bee’s Knees Cocktail combines honey, lavender syrup, lemon juice, and gin. Tart and sweet, you can enjoy this drink all spring and summer long.
Boozy Whipped Lemonade
Try the viral Boozy Whipped Lemonade, a creamy cocktail featuring Rumchata Limón or lemon cream liqueur, lemon juice, and condensed milk. It has a boozy twist reminiscent of lemon meringue pie!
Lemon Rosemary Bourbon Sour
This Lemon Rosemary Bourbon Sour is a modern twist on a classic, featuring herb-infused simple syrup and bright citrus flavors.
Homemade Lemon Infused Vodka
Homemade Lemon Infused Vodka is easy to make and super budget-friendly! The light and citrusy infusion will add a bright twist to all your favorite vodka drinks.
Lemon Drop Shots
Classic Lemon Drop Shots are a balance of sweet and tart, bringing an air of festive fun to any gathering. Plus they are easy to make ahead of time in a big batch!
Lemon Herb Vodka Spritzer
This Lemon Herb Vodka Spritzer combines lemon, mint, basil, thyme, ginger, and vodka with a touch of bubbly! It’s unique and herbaceous, making it the best pairing for a spring or summer dinner party.
Bourbon Lemonade
Quench your thirst with the easy and light Bourbon Lemonade, a sweet and tangy cocktail that’s sure to cool you off. Plus it’s extremely easy to make and the mixture is so smooth.
my must-haves for my home bar
Let’s do a quick check of your home bar to make sure you have everything you need. The most used items in our collection are a cocktail shaker, jigger to measure ounces accurately, and cocktail strainer. If you decide to make cocktails in a large batch, this cocktail mixing glass is a must-have (don’t forget the bar spoon!).
While you don’t need every kind of glass in your cupboard, we recommend having a set of coupe glasses, martini glasses, and double old fashioned glasses as these are ideal to a wide variety of cocktails. If you want something with a wow-factor, I always swoon over these Gatsby cocktail glasses! It’s by far my favorite cocktail glass.
Note that you don’t have to stock top shelf liquor options! Get the best brand possible for your price range.
Don’t forget the lemon garnish! Whether it’s lemon zest for a rim sugar for the rim of the glass, a lemon twist for a martini, or a lemon slice for a lemon drop cocktail, fresh lemon is the best garnish for these cocktails. There are plenty of variations for you!
favorite glassware
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Looking for some tasty bites to serve with a lemon cocktail? Check out our in-depth archive of appetizer recipes. Classic options like stuffed bacon wrapped dates, air fryer ravioli, or caprese bruschetta go with any of the drinks on this list.
Finally, if you make a lemon cocktail from this list, please be sure to leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment.
Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!
Oh and be sure to tag me on Instagram if you make the recipe! I love being able to see these recipes come to life in your homes – it’s my favorite thing to look through those photos. It really means the world to me!
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