23 Lemon Cocktails for a Splash of Sunshine
Perhaps you forgot that you already had lemons, and bought more for a recipe. Don’t let the extras spoil when you could make lemon cocktails. Pretty much any spirit that you have around the house can find a home in lemony classic cocktails—or newer concoctions—that will make the most of every last ounce of fresh lemon juice. Some of these drinks are herbal and tart, some honeyed and mellow, some spicy from ginger or hot peppers. Find your new favorite below—and don’t forget to store that citrus in your fridge so it'll last a little longer.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Haubert1/23Whiskey Sour
If you haven’t had a really good whiskey sour lately, it’s time to return to this classic drink and remember how good—and easy—fresh lemon cocktails can be. All you need is whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup—adding an egg white makes a richer drink but isn’t strictly required.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton3/23French 75
Looking for cocktails with lemon juice to serve for a celebration? This bubbly sipper will do the trick. This version combines the citrus and bubbly with simple syrup and gin, but you can also make this drink with brandy—or try this peachy bourbon variation.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich4/23Paper Plane
There are certainly more famous equal-parts drinks around, but this bitter beauty is one of our favorites.
Photo by Isa Zapata, Prop Styling by Christina Allen, Food Styling by Emilie Fosnocht5/23Shandy
Some drinks with lemon juice feel tailor-made for summer; this exceedingly simple beer cocktail has refreshed folks on hot days for more than a century.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Haubert7/23Applejack Fix
You can think of a fix as a glammed-up sour, where the core combo of spirit, citrus, and sugar get dressed up with fruit liqueur or a fruit garnish, and/or a splash of soda water. This refreshing version uses apple brandy and tangy-sweet raspberry syrup alongside fresh lemon juice for tartness.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne9/23Tom Collins
Fizz up your evening with this old-school gin drink. You could add a cocktail cherry on top, but you definitely don’t need to.
Photo and Styling by Joseph De Leo10/23Corpse Reviver No. 2
A splash of absinthe contributes refreshing herbal notes to this pick-me-up cocktail. Serve it as a brunch drink or save it for an easy evening happy hour.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne11/23Bizzy Izzy Highball
It’s hard to find this hundred-year-old sherry and rye whiskey drink anywhere—all the more reason to shake one up at home.
Photo by Lizzie Munro13/23Jasmine
If you’ve never heard of this simple cocktail, you’re not alone. But lots of the best bartenders around think it’s a hidden gem. All you need to make it is gin, lemon juice, Campari, and Cointreau.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Haubert14/23Whiskey Daisy
Instead of using simple syrup for balance, a daisy leans on liqueur instead, which adds a little extra flavor. We love this blueberry and amaro variation, but you may want to start with the classic.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne15/23Pisco Sour
This drink is perfect for practicing your cocktail garnish moves. Just be sure to shake the mixture well without ice to emulsify the egg white before adding ice to shake and chill.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Haubert17/23Clover Club
Gin and dry vermouth makes a martini—but turn left and add in fresh lemon, raspberry syrup, and egg white, and you have this tangy classic.
Photo by Kelly Puleio18/23Newton's Law
Lemon juice keeps this bourbon and apple-butter cocktail bright and refreshing. It’s a crisp fall cocktail that we’ll keep drinking through whiskey season.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Rosanna Anil, Prop Styling by Paola Andrea22/23Easy Lemon Drop
You may associate this vodka drink with shelf-stable sweet and sour mix, but it’s much, much tastier when made with lightly-sweetened fresh lemon juice.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Drew Aichele23/23Life of the Party
Not all lemon cocktails are boozy—at your next gathering, this tangy and lightly bitter nonalcoholic aperitif will find fans among non-drinkers and drinkers alike.
