Citrus Breeze Cocktail

The Citrus Breeze Cocktail is a vibrant, zesty drink that lives up to its name—light, refreshing, and bursting with citrus flavor. Smooth vodka provides a clean base, while the combination of lime, grapefruit, and cranberry juices delivers a perfectly balanced mix of tart, tangy, and subtly sweet notes. Each sip is crisp and invigorating, making it an ideal choice for warm afternoons, brunches, or anytime you need a flavorful pick-me-up. Served over ice and garnished with a fresh lime wheel, the Citrus Breeze is simple, stunning, and endlessly sippable.

Tasting Notes

The Citrus Breeze Cocktail is a zippy, fruit-forward drink that lives up to its name with every invigorating sip. Vodka lays down a crisp, clean base, while lime juice delivers sharp acidity and grapefruit juice brings bitter-citrus sophistication. Cranberry juice ties everything together with a subtle berry tartness and vivid color. The result is a cocktail that’s balanced, refreshing, and packed with citrus vibrance—neither too sweet nor too sour. Served over ice and garnished with a fresh lime wheel, this cocktail is effortlessly refreshing and perfect for warm afternoons, beach days, or easygoing happy hours.

Equipment and Glassware

To prepare the Citrus Breeze Cocktail, you’ll need a cocktail shaker to chill and blend the ingredients thoroughly. A jigger ensures accurate measurement of each juice and the vodka, balancing the tartness and strength. Use a strainer when pouring into your glass to maintain clarity and a smooth sip. Serve in a highball glass or Collins glass filled with ice to keep the drink bright and cool. A citrus wheel cutter or sharp knife helps create a clean lime wheel for a fresh and stylish garnish.

Ingredients

• 2 oz vodka
• 2 oz lime juice
• 2 oz cranberry juice
• 2 oz grapefruit juice
• Garnish: lime wheel

Instructions

• Shake or Build: Add vodka, lime juice, cranberry juice, and grapefruit juice to a shaker with ice. Shake well, or build directly in a glass over ice.
• Serve: Strain into a highball or rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
• Garnish: Top with a lime wheel for a bright, citrusy finish.

Pro Tips

• Use fresh-squeezed juices for the best flavor—bottled citrus can dull the drink’s brightness.
• If you prefer a touch more sweetness, add 0.25 oz simple syrup or a splash of orange liqueur.
• A salted or sugared rim adds a twist of flair and enhances either the tartness or sweetness.
• Chill your glass beforehand for a cooler, longer-lasting drink.
• For a bubbly variation, top with club soda or sparkling grapefruit water.

When to Serve

The Citrus Breeze Cocktail is perfect for brunches, patio lounging, summer parties, or post-work wind-downs. Its tart and juicy profile makes it a refreshing daytime sipper, but it’s also a fantastic choice for tropical-themed gatherings or citrus-forward cocktail menus. Serve it when you want something light, zingy, and beautifully balanced—it’s easy to batch for crowds or scale down for solo sipping.

Which Liquor Brands to Choose

• Use a smooth, versatile vodka like Tito’s Handmade, Ketel One, or Absolut.
• For juices, fresh-squeezed lime and grapefruit are best, while 100% cranberry juice or a balanced cranberry cocktail (like Ocean Spray) provides color and bite.
• Garnish with a fresh lime wheel, or add a grapefruit twist for a more aromatic finish.

Similar Cocktails

• Texas Cosmo
• Passion Fruit Cosmopolitan
• Spiced Cranberry Paloma
• Cranberry Thyme Spritz
• Watermelon Moscow Mule