Cocktails with Lime Juice

Classic Margarita for Two

There’s something undeniably romantic about a perfectly balanced margarita. It’s bright, it’s festive, and it says “we’re celebrating” without trying too hard.

How to make it: Rim your glass with salt (or just half the rim if you’re not a salt person). Shake everything with ice until it’s properly cold, then strain into your prepared glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a lime wheel and enjoy the simplicity of perfection.

Our tip: Use good tequila. It doesn’t have to be top-shelf, but it shouldn’t be something you’d regret in the morning either. We like a smooth blanco or reposado.

Strawberry Daiquiri

Nothing says Valentine’s quite like strawberries. This daiquiri is elegant, not too sweet, and has that gorgeous pink colour that makes everything feel a bit more special.

How to make it: Muddle the strawberries in your shaker until they’re well broken down. Add the rum, lime juice, simple syrup, and ice. Shake vigorously until it’s ice cold. Double strain into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with a strawberry slice on the rim.

Our tip: If your strawberries are particularly sweet, cut back slightly on the simple syrup. You want a balance, not a fruit punch.

Passion Fruit Mojito

A South African twist on the classic mojito. The passion fruit adds a tropical sweetness that pairs beautifully with the mint and lime. It’s refreshing, it’s sophisticated, and it feels like a little holiday at home.

How to make it: In a tall glass, gently muddle the mint leaves with the sugar and lime juice. Add the passion fruit pulp and rum, fill the glass with crushed ice, and top with soda water. Give it a gentle stir and garnish with a mint sprig and passion fruit half.

Our tip: Don’t over-muddle the mint — you want to bruise it, not obliterate it. And use fresh passion fruit if you can get it. The texture and flavour are incomparable.

Spicy Paloma

For couples who like a bit of heat. This Mexican classic gets an extra kick from jalapeño, balanced beautifully by grapefruit and lime. It’s playful, it’s bold, and it’s surprisingly easy to love.

How to make it: Muddle the jalapeño slices in your shaker. Add tequila, lime juice, grapefruit juice, and salt. Shake with ice and strain into an ice-filled glass. Top with grapefruit soda and garnish with a grapefruit slice and jalapeño ring.

Our tip: Control the heat by adjusting the jalapeño. Remove all the seeds for mild, keep some for medium, and use the whole thing (seeds included) if you’re brave. Always taste as you go.

Elderflower Gimlet

Elegant, sophisticated, and impossibly smooth. This is the cocktail for when you want something that feels like you’re celebrating without being too fancy about it. The elderflower adds a floral sweetness that’s perfect for romance.

How to make it: Shake everything with ice until it’s properly cold. Strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass. Garnish with a small sprig of fresh thyme or a few edible flowers if you’re feeling fancy.

Our tip: Use a gin you actually enjoy drinking on its own. The flavour comes through clearly in a gimlet, so this isn’t the time to use the cheap stuff from the back of the cupboard.

Why We Use Wilson’s Lime Juice

We’re all for fresh ingredients, but when it comes to cocktails on Valentine’s, convenience matters. Wilson’s Lime Juice gives you consistent, pure lime flavour without the mess of juicing. No pulp in your drink, no seeds to fish out, just clean, bright citrus every time.

And honestly? When you’re trying to create a romantic evening, the last thing you want is to be scrubbing lime juice off your hands while your cocktails wait. This just makes everything easier.

It’s Halaal and Kosher certified, keeps for ages in the fridge, and works beautifully in everything from mocktails to marinades to desserts. One bottle, endless possibilities.

Our Bartending Tips for Valentine’s

Chill your glasses — Pop them in the freezer for 15 minutes before serving. It makes every cocktail taste better and feel more special.

Use good ice — Big, clear ice cubes melt slower and water down your drink less. If you don’t have fancy ice trays, just use fresh ice from a new batch.

Shake properly — If a recipe says shake, shake it hard for at least 15 seconds. Your cocktail should be ice cold and properly diluted.

Don’t skip the garnish — It’s Valentine’s. Make it pretty. A simple citrus wheel or herb sprig makes everything feel more intentional.

Make a batch — If you’re serving multiple rounds, pre-mix the base cocktails (without ice) and keep them in the fridge. Just shake with ice when ready to serve.

Taste as you go — Everyone’s palate is different. If something needs more lime, more sweetness, or less alcohol, adjust it. The recipe is a guide, not a rule.

Setting the Mood

The cocktail is just one part of the evening. Set up a small bar cart or cocktail station with everything you need — ice bucket, shaker, glasses, garnishes. Make it look intentional.

Put on some music that you both actually like. Light a few candles. Set the table properly, even if you’re just having snacks. Valentine’s at home should feel special, not like a regular Tuesday with drinks.

And most importantly — put your phones away. The whole point of staying in is to actually be together.

Non-Alcoholic Options

Not drinking? No problem. Every single one of these recipes works beautifully as a mocktail. Just skip the alcohol and add a bit more soda water or tonic for volume.

Our favourite mock-tail tip: Add a splash of non-alcoholic bitters or a bit of kombucha for complexity. It fills in that gap where the spirit would usually sit and makes the drink feel more sophisticated.