This citrus cooler with vodka, triple sec and sweet and sour is a cool and refreshing drink for a hot summer night.

Citrus Cooler
Around these parts, we stick mostly to wine and beer for our cocktail hours, but every once in awhile I like to shake things up with something new, which can be a little dangerous. If “something new” means purchasing bottles of alcohol and mixers it can get a little expensive, so I better be confident about the end result otherwise those bottles end up becoming dust-collecting decorations that I try to pawn off on visitors and house guests.
So I tend to stick to what I like and in this case, what I like is lemon, vodka, and soda which is otherwise known as a citrus cooler.
It’s sort of a grown-up fizzy lemonade that’s perfect for sippin’ on a warm summer night while watching fireflies from the front porch. Or, in our case, hot sweltering nights that we don’t actually spend outside because it’s so much nicer inside with the air-conditioning.
Anyway, you know what I mean. This citrus cooler is a delicious summertime drink.
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More Summer Recipes
- Bloody Mary with Italian-Style Garnish
- Ice Cream Parfaits with Peach Wine Syrup
- Strawberry Yogurt Popsicles

Citrus Cooler
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 drinks 1x
Description
This citrus cooler is easy to make and is so refreshing on a hot summer night. This recipe is enough for 2 servings, but you can easily scale the recipe up. If you want a big batch mix everything (except the soda) in a pitcher. You can keep it in the fridge and then top each glass off with soda as you serve it.
Ingredients
- Ice cubes
- 3 ounces of citrus vodka
- 2 ounces of triple sec
- 1 ounce of sweet and sour mix
- Soda water
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Fill each glass with ice cubes and add the vodka, triple sec, and sweet and sour mix.
- Top each glass off with some soda water, give it a quick stir, and garnish with a lemon wedge.
Notes
Drinks are all about personal preference and taste. This recipe uses a simple 3-2-1 parts ratio for the ingredients (similar to a classic margarita), but feel free to tweak it to make it your own. Like more tartness? Increase the sweet & sour. Want it less strong? Dial back the triple sec and vodka or use a bigger glass and dilute it with more soda water.
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Mix
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 drink
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 27.2g
- Sodium: 4.7mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0.1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35.5g
- Fiber: 0.4g
- Protein: 0.5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: citrus cocktail
The nutrition information in this recipe is an estimate only and was calculated using Nutrifox, an online nutrition calculator.
Renee says
This drink looks very tempting and refreshing. I’m typically just a Corona drinker, but I think I could be persuaded ๐
April says
I love Corona (or any Mexican beer), too so if I drink a cocktail I want it simple and refreshing, so this one was perfect. Let me know what you think if you try it ๐
Jennifer Stewart says
This just might replace my Bloody Mary Saturday ritual! Thanks for linking up to Saucy Saturdays because I am going to be drinking up!
Dini @ The Flavor Bender says
This is delicious!! ๐ I love my grown p lemonade! Plus like you said it’s so refreshing!! ๐
Congratulations on being featured this week!! ๐ Loved that Lobster Salad Roll!
It’s great to see you have linked up with us this week too! Happy #SaucySaturdays!
April says
Thanks so much, Dina!
Amanda | The Chunky Chef says
It’s getting really hot and humid around here and this drink looks like the perfect way to cool down!! ๐
swayam says
Kaila..yet another fab post! How did you know I was craving this?? You mind reader you!! ๐
PS: Go check the SS post .. you have been FEATURED ๐
Thanks so much for an amazing dish and for linking up at #SaucySaturdays ๐
Cathy says
Thank April! I got your response. These look so refreshing btw! ๐