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    Home » Recipes » Cocktails » Gin Cocktails

    Sparkling Orange Lemon Gin Cooler Cocktail

    Jul 20, 2019(updated Jan 31, 2023)

    By Michelle Weiner

    Beat the heat with this always-refreshing Sparkling Orange Lemon Gin Cooler Cocktail! Made with 5 ingredients, it’s an easy sipper for summer with layers of bright citrus flavor.
    5 from 3 votes
    Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time 5 minutes minutes
    Jump to Recipe
    two orange lemon gin cooler cocktails with orange colored liquid in the cocktail glasses with an orange twist as a garnish and wedges of oranges in the background.

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Beat the heat with this always-refreshing Sparkling Orange Lemon Gin Cooler Cocktail! Made with 5 ingredients, it’s an easy sipper for summer with layers of bright citrus flavor.

    two orange gin cocktails in tall glasses garnished with an orange wedge.

    Make your summer cocktail sparkle!

    Your search for refreshing summer drinks isn’t complete without this Sparkling Orange Lemon Gin Cooler Cocktail. It’s a gin cocktail made with orange juice and lemon juice, and finished with sparkling water. You won’t be able to get enough of the fresh and bright flavors!

    The layers of freshly squeezed citrus juice topped with bubbly sparkling water are what make this summer cocktail feel extra special. Just like my Boozy Watermelon Punch and Sparkling Blueberry Lemonade, every sip is well-balanced and goes down easy. It’s a must-have drink when you want to cool off in the summer heat or wind down during the backyard barbecue.

    close up on an orange gin cocktail in a large glass garnished with an orange wedge.

    Inspired by a classic cocktail

    I find a lot of inspiration for cocktail recipes in Harry Craddock’s The Savoy Cocktail Book. This gin and orange juice cocktail takes after the Orange Blossom Cooler from page 202. It’s made with almost all of the same ingredients but I added lemon juice and simple syrup for easy sipping and extra brightness.

    What juice goes with gin?

    Maybe gin and tonics aren’t for you… that’s ok! You can pair gin with all kinds of mix-ins, including fruit juice. Orange juice, lemon juice, grapefruit juice, pineapple juice, and lime juice pair especially well with gin. They add a refreshing quality to the otherwise botanical spirit.

    Ingredients you need

    The 5 ingredients in this orange gin cocktail are fruity and simple. Once they come together, they transform into a refreshing and sparkling summer drink! Here’s what you need:

    Orange juice

    Use the orange juice you like, whether that’s freshly squeezed or store-bought. I prefer to squeeze fresh oranges with a citrus reamer myself. But, if you’re craving an orange cooler drink in a hurry, store-bought is a-ok. Simply is my go-to brand!

    If you opt for freshly squeezed, juice 2 to 3 valencia or tangerine oranges 1 to 2 days in advance. Keep the juice in a sealed container in the fridge, then pull it out whenever you need fresh OJ for a refreshing summer cocktail!

    Gin

    Gin is a clear distilled spirit made from juniper and other botanicals and aromatics, like angelica root, citrus peel, lemongrass, and herbs. These ingredients give the spirit a unique flavor profile, with piney, evergreen notes.

    In this gin cooler recipe, stick with a mid-priced bottle of gin, like Hendricks, The Botanist, or Tanqueray. Splurging on a top-shelf brand would almost be a waste because the intricate flavors are hidden behind the citrus juices and syrup.

    an orange and gin cocktail in an antique glass with a second cocktail in the background

    Simple syrup

    This liquid sugar syrup is easy to make from scratch and is a crucial ingredient for sweetness and balance. To make it yourself, heat a 1:1 ratio of white granulated sugar and water in a pot on the stove until the sugar dissolves. Set it aside to cool, then use it in cocktail recipes, desserts, fruit salads, coffee drinks, and more.

    Lemon juice

    Fresh lemon juice adds another layer of brightness while helping to balance the entire cocktail. You can use bottled lemon juice if that’s what you already have at home, but freshly squeezed is always best!

    Sparkling water

    Finishing the cocktail with fizzy water balances all of the flavors and helps each sip taste super refreshing. If you don’t have sparkling water, use club soda instead. Or, if all you have is tonic water, use it as a substitute but know that it will add a distinct bitterness to the drink.

    Lastly, remember to only add the sparkling water until right before serving. Pour it in too early and you run the risk of missing out on the fizzy, sparkling bubbles.

    Tips to make the best gin coolers

    Make the best gin cocktail by following these helpful tips:

    Shaken, not stirred

    There’s a big difference between shaking vs. stirring cocktails. Shaking, which is the method you want to use in this recipe, properly aerates and dilutes the drink, and helps it become ice-cold. Stirring is the more appropriate method for spirit-forward drinks, like a Negroni or unflavored martinis because it slowly dilutes the drink and creates a smooth mouthfeel.

    Use these cocktail-shaking tips when putting this recipe together:

    • I like to shake the ingredients using a Boston shaker. If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, use a sealed mason jar or any airtight container instead. 
    • Shake for about 30 seconds or until the outside of the shaker feels very cold.
    • Always use fresh ice, not the freezer-burnt ice cubes at the back of your freezer because the flavor of the ice will make its way into the cocktail. If your ice tastes off, so will your finished cocktail. 
    Two orange colored cocktails with orange twist garnishes and halved orange wedges and orange leaves in the background

    Recipe

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    two orange lemon gin cooler cocktails with orange colored liquid in the cocktail glasses with an orange twist as a garnish and wedges of oranges in the background.

    Orange Lemon Gin Cooler Cocktail

    Beat the heat with this always-refreshing Sparkling Orange Lemon Gin Cooler Cocktail! Made with 5 ingredients, it’s an easy sipper for summer with layers of bright citrus flavor.
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    Author: Michelle Weiner
    Course: cocktail
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: bbq cocktail, gin, orange cocktail, summer cocktail
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Makes: 2 cocktails

    Ingredients

    • 4 ounces orange juice about 2 oranges
    • 3 ounces gin
    • 2 ounces simple syrup
    • 1 ounces lemon juice about 1 lemon
    • 4 ounces sparkling water
    • Optional: orange wedges to garnish

    Instructions

    • Shake all ingredients, except sparkling water, together. 
    • Evenly divide between two glasses filled with ice.
    • Top with sparkling water, stir and enjoy!
    Did you make this recipe?Share a pic and tag @cupofzest and use #cupofzest so I can see it!

    Notes

    If you can, use freshly squeezed orange and lemon juice! It will really make a differnce.
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    Comments

      5 from 3 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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      Not only will you be helping us out, but you'll also be spreading the love to other party planners looking for their next big hit!

      Your star rating and comment can make all the difference in helping others discover the perfect recipe for their next shindig. And let's be honest, who doesn't love a good party? So let's get this party started by sharing the love and making sure everyone has a delicious time. Thanks for being a part of the Party Food Crew! And remember, party more & stress less!

      🎉 Cheers,
      Michelle

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Teddy Johnson says

      September 04, 2023 at 1:49 pm

      5 stars
      I made this drink and was excellent, the orange and lemon flavors tend to separate from each other, I garnished with a slice of orange and a cherry which added a delicate hint cherry notes. Absolutely a delicious refreshing drink.

      Reply
      • Michelle Weiner says

        October 02, 2023 at 1:58 pm

        Thanks so much for the review Teddy! I love the cherry and orange garnish!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Michelle and welcome to the party!

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