Citrus season is a great time to visit your local farmer's market and stock up on fresh and flavorful fruits. Whether you're looking for lemons, limes, oranges, or something more exotic, you're sure to find the best selection at your local farmer's market. So, head out, enjoy the sunshine, and discover the sweet and tangy flavors of the season.

Citrus fruits add a burst of flavor and refreshment to any cocktail. With their bright, zesty, and tangy flavors, they are the perfect ingredient to mix with your favorite spirit to create a delightful and uplifting drink. This season, try these five citrus cocktails featuring limes, lemons, blood oranges, and kumquats that are sure to tantalize your taste buds.

Classic Lime Margarita

A classic margarita or as my friend’s call them - Maryritas are a timeless drink that always hits the spot. The lime juice adds a tart, citrusy flavor to the tequila, making this drink the perfect choice for anytime of year.  Fresh lime juice makes a big difference and is worth the effort. 

There can be a little controversy about making Margs and I will say I am not a fan of “Skinny Margaritas”. I don’t like sugar substitutes and really a margarita with simple syrup adds 37 calories.  Your entire drink comes in at about 133 calories worth it!  But not what this article is about!

Here’s a quick tip – always shake citrus!

Classic Lime Margarita

 

Simply add your ingredients in a shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into a salt-rimmed glass.

You can switch up your Margarita flavor by changing the dreaded Simple Syrup to a flavored simple syrup – currently I can’t get enough of Guava Simple Syrup and Guavas are in season!

 Blood Orange Margarita – this one is my signature Maryrita 

Here is a super easy update to your classic Margarita and you get the added benefit of extending your cocktail without adding more liquor.  And they are beautiful!

Blood Orange Margarita

Blood Orange Mimosa

Blood oranges are in season during the winter and bring a sweet-tart flavor to any drink.  In my opinion – they are the Drag Queens of citrus.  Always spectacular, beautiful and dramatic!

Blood Orange Mimosa

Garnish with a half slice or full slice of Blood Orange.  For Garnish I like to put the Orange Slice in the flute, pressed up against the side.  Then pour the Bubbles and add the Blood Orange Juice on top.  

Here’s a quick tip – always shake citrus - unless it’s paired with bubbles!

Kumquat Martini

Kumquats are small, tart oranges that pack a big punch of flavor. Pop them in your mouth skin and all.  Yum!

I can’t think of a base spirit that does not pair well with Kumquats.  Bourbon, Rum, Vodka, Gin or Tequila.  People are afraid of Kumquats – don’t be.  Love them.

Kumquat Martini

Garnish with an olive style toothpick of Kumquats or slice them and float on top of your cocktail.

To make a kumquat martini, add your vodka and muddle four – 6  kumquats in a shaker, add the triple sec. Shake with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass.

Lemon Drop Martini Thyme

Lemons are versatile and perfect for adding a touch of acidity to your drinks. A lemon drop martini is the perfect balance of sweet and sour.

Lemon Drop Martini Thyme

Garnish with a Sprig of Thyme.  You can also get fancy and rim your glass with a mixture of Thyme leaves and fine Castor sugar.

Add your ingredients to a cocktail shaker. Shake well and strain into a sugar-rimmed martini glass.

Get Creative: Don't limit yourself to the traditional citrus fruits. Farmer's markets often offer a variety of exotic and unusual citrus varieties, such as pomelos, kumquats, blood oranges, and more. Experiment with different flavors and find your new favorite.

These five citrus cocktails featuring limes, lemons, blood oranges, and kumquats are the perfect way to brighten up any day. Whether you are entertaining guests or just looking for a refreshing drink, these cocktails are sure to become a new favorite. So, gather your friends, mix up a batch, and enjoy the sweet, tart, and tangy flavors of these delicious drinks.

Cheers!  Let me know if you make these – I love to see photos – you can tag @hailm on IG.

 -M