Toasty Bright Citrus Cocktail (Printable)

A vibrant drink combining toasted spirits and bright citrus for 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 to chill.
02 - Add tequila or toasted gin, grapefruit juice, lemon juice, agave syrup, and bitters to the shaker.
03 - Shake vigorously for 15 seconds until the mixture is well-chilled.
04 - Strain the contents into a chilled rocks glass over fresh ice.
05 - Add a grapefruit twist and optionally a dehydrated citrus wheel as garnish.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes complex but comes together in under five minutes, no fancy equipment or techniques required.
  • The toasty spirit and bright citrus hit different notes at once, so it never feels one-dimensional or too sweet.
  • You can make it with tequila or gin depending on what you have, and both versions feel like completely different drinks.
02 -
  • Fresh citrus juice is non-negotiable, I tried making this with bottled grapefruit juice once and it tasted like sadness and regret.
  • If you shake for less than 15 seconds, the drink won't chill properly and the flavors stay separated instead of blending into something smooth.
  • Use a chilled glass if you can, I keep a rocks glass in the freezer and it makes the first sip so much better.
03 -
  • Express the grapefruit twist over a flame for a second if you have a lighter handy, it caramelizes the oils and adds an almost burnt-orange aroma that's incredible.
  • If you're using gin, go for something that's been aged in a barrel or has pronounced toasted notes, regular London dry won't give you the same depth.
  • I keep a small jar of dehydrated citrus wheels in my pantry just for this drink, they last forever and make it look like you tried way harder than you did.

Return