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ClassicBitterCitrus2 minutesLow sugar

Lemon, Lime and Bitters

Australia's default non-alcoholic order, and the most-ordered mocktail in the world. Three ingredients, one technique.

Prep
2 min
Serves
1
Glass
Highball
Difficulty
Easy

Ingredients

  • 4 dashes Angostura bitters (or a non-alcoholic bitters alternative)
  • 1 oz lime cordial
  • 5 oz lemonade or lemon-lime soda
  • Lime wedge, to garnish
  • Ice

Method

  1. 1Dash the bitters into an empty highball glass and swirl to coat the sides — this is the whole trick, and skipping it leaves the bitters sitting at the bottom.
  2. 2Fill the glass with ice.
  3. 3Add the lime cordial, then top with lemonade.
  4. 4Stir once and garnish with a lime wedge.

Notes

  • Coat the glass with bitters before the ice goes in. Poured on top, they never distribute and the drink tastes like flat lemonade.
  • Angostura contains a trace of alcohol in a few dashes — use a non-alcoholic bitters alternative if you're avoiding it entirely.
  • This is what to order in a pub anywhere in Australia or New Zealand, and most bartenders there make it without being asked twice.

Common questions

Do bitters contain alcohol?

Traditional aromatic bitters are alcohol-based, though a few dashes contribute a very small amount. If you're avoiding alcohol completely, use one of the non-alcoholic bitters now widely available.

Make one of these next

  • Virgin Paloma

    Grapefruit, lime and salt over ice — Mexico's real everyday drink, and better than a margarita.

  • Cherry Limeade

    The American drive-in classic — tart lime, real cherry, plenty of ice.

  • Grapefruit Rosemary Soda

    Bitter, herbal and barely sweet — for people who don't want a sweet drink at all.

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