Toasty Bright Citrus Cocktail (Printable)
A vibrant drink combining toasty spirits and fresh citrus to create a refreshing balance.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Spirits
01 - 1.5 fl oz reposado tequila or toasted barrel-aged gin
→ Citrus
02 - 1 fl oz fresh grapefruit juice
03 - 0.5 fl oz fresh lemon juice
→ Sweetener
04 - 0.5 fl oz agave syrup or simple syrup
→ Bitters & Enhancements
05 - 2 dashes orange bitters
06 - 1 dash Angostura bitters (optional)
→ Garnish
07 - Grapefruit twist
08 - Dehydrated citrus wheel (optional)
# How-To Steps:
01 - Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
02 - Add the tequila or toasted barrel-aged gin, grapefruit juice, lemon juice, agave syrup, orange bitters, and Angostura bitters if using to the shaker.
03 - Shake vigorously for 15 seconds until the mixture is well chilled.
04 - Strain the cocktail into a chilled rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
05 - Add a grapefruit twist and optionally a dehydrated citrus wheel for garnish.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It balances toasty richness with sharp citrus in a way that feels grown-up but never harsh.
- You can shake it together in under five minutes without hunting down rare ingredients.
- The drink shifts beautifully depending on your spirit choice, so it never gets boring.
02 -
- If you shake less than 15 seconds, the drink tastes thin and the citrus overpowers everything.
- Fresh juice is non-negotiable, bottled grapefruit juice turns this flat and syrupy.
- Taste your agave syrup first, some brands are much sweeter than others and you might need less.
03 -
- Chill your rocks glass in the freezer for ten minutes before straining, it keeps the drink colder longer without diluting.
- If you're making more than one, shake them individually instead of batching, each drink stays colder and more textured that way.