Learn / 5 Citrus Cocktails & How To Make Them

August 11th, 2023

5 Citrus Cocktails & How To Make Them

We're venturing beyond the traditional, embracing a new age of mindful sipping where spirits soothe without leaving traces of regret. Amid this evolution, a vibrant wave of non-alcoholic spirits is coloring our glasses like a burst of fresh citrus against the morning sky.

Imagine the first tang of a ripe grapefruit or the invigorating scent of a freshly-peeled lemon — citrus is the soul of this awakening, carving a distinctive path where intoxication is not the destination, but enlightenment is. These functional concoctions bring the fullness of taste and emotion without the unnecessary toll of alcohol.

The essence of citrus, with its warmth, summer brightness, and zest, enriches these beverages, creating a sensory experience that lingers long after the last sip, like the memory of a sun-kissed orchard in full bloom.

How do we elevate our glasses with this burst of flavor? Let’s bite into it.

Understanding the Allure of Citrus in Cocktails

The tangy charm of citrus in cocktails is a narrative of balance and elevation. Citrus, with its remarkable spectrum of sweetness and tartness, instills harmony in the midst of divergent flavors.

It acts as the evening sun dipping into a pristine sea, leaving behind trails of golden light. The perfect cocktail isn't just about the mix of spirits — it's about the blend of sensations, where the sharp freshness of citrus comes to life.

Whether it's the zesty kiss of a lemon, the sunny blush of an orange, or the exotic whisper of a yuzu, each citrus note unveils a world of sensory delight, brightening the blend and crafting a delectable range of layered flavor notes.

What Are the Health Benefits of Citrus?

Beyond their succulent appeal and flavor dynamism, citrus fruits carry a treasure trove of health benefits. They hang from their branches, radiant and ripe with a cocktail of vitamins and antioxidants.

When citrus season blossoms, nature offers a bounty of these tangy fruits overflowing with Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that can help support the immune system, invigorate the skin, and enhance overall vitality.

The fibrous pulp also houses a wealth of nutrients like potassium and magnesium, essential for the heart and other vital functions. Citrus fruits, with their fresh scent and bountiful juiciness, symbolize nature's generosity and are a testament to the philosophy that true wellness can be as delightful as it is beneficial.

Extending well beyond taste, citrus can infuse each sip of your functional cocktail with a revitalizing source of nature's best, promising not just a memorable moment but a nourishing journey.

Why Choose Functional Spirits?

As we become increasingly mindful of our well-being, the realm of beverages has evolved, offering a sophisticated array of functional spirits. Such spirits, like Aplós' Calme and Arise, are meticulously crafted to offer the enchantment of traditional spirits, all without the undue consequences of alcohol.

Aplós Calme

Calme, our hemp-infused functional spirit, is a soothing blend created for tranquility. The broad-spectrum hemp extract calms and uplifts, guiding you to a peaceful state of mind. Bright citrus extracts of yuzu and calamansi add vibrancy, while the subtle embrace of rosemary, basil, and coriander carries complexity. Meanwhile, cool notes of cucumber, shisho, and mint refresh the palate, adding a gentle touch to the experience.

Together, these ingredients create a drink reminiscent of a quiet summer afternoon beneath a canopy of citrus trees, where the world's noise fades away, and you find solace in your thoughts. Calme is more than a beverage; it's a nurturing escape from daily chaos, serving as the perfect unwinding drink, a true companion to relaxation and introspection.

Aplós Arise

​​Arise, on the other hand, serves as a vibrant awakening to life's most jubilant occasions. This rich concoction, earthy and wild, is graced with citrusy notes of agave and lemon verbena, kissed by the exotic spice of black sarawak.

Each sip is a journey through a proprietary blend of adaptogens and vitamins like suntheanine, guarana, ginseng, and B vitamins designed to elevate the mood, enliven the mind, and invigorate the spirit. Arise captures the essence of renewal, that first breath of morning when the world is fresh and the senses are alive.

Crafted for moments of revelry and lively gatherings, this blend of adaptogenic botanical elements harmonizes with our very being, helping the body to adapt to stress and flourish in equilibrium. Without the burden of alcohol, this blend invites you to a mindful drinking experience that, like a sun-kissed orchard, is lush, layered, and infinitely delightful.

Both of our functional spirits at Aplós encapsulate the philosophy of mindful drinking. They beckon you into a world where the sensory richness of spirits marries the essence of well-being.

Five Citrus Cocktails and How To Make Them

The mingling of citrus with our finely-crafted functional spirits opens the door to endless wonder and joyful possibility. With each sip, the vibrant embrace of botanicals comes alive, creating a sensory journey free from the burdens of alcohol.

We invite you to explore this dance of flavors with five citrus cocktails, a showcase of versatility and allure that redefines what a cocktail can be.

1. Dancing Shoes

In the twirl of a lime wedge on a glass rim, and the quiet patter of salt crystals, Dancing Shoes is a moment of anticipation.

Here, the robust energy of Aplós Arise meets the tangy twist of lime juice, balanced with a drizzle of agave nectar and a whisper of orange flower water. This is the drink that fuels your laughter-filled evenings, that lively swirl of friends and stories.

Ingredients:

  • Aplós Arise: 2 oz
  • Agave nectar: 1 tbsp
  • Lime juice: 1 oz
  • Orange flower water: A splash

Run a lime wedge around the outside of the glass and roll the rim in salt. Pour ice and all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Shake and strain over fresh cubes of ice into a tumbler. Garnish with a lime wheel.

2. Aplós & Blood Orange

The fiery hue of the Moro blood orange is the embodiment of a Hawaiian sunset. A celebration of its vibrant colors and rich flavors, this cocktail showcases the adaptogenic might of Aplós Arise, the fizz of soda water, and the bold zest of freshly squeezed blood orange juice.

Ingredients:

  • Aplós Arise: 2 oz
  • Soda water: 2 oz
  • Blood orange juice: 2 oz

Shake well with ice and pour into your chosen glass. Garnish with a slice of blood orange and enjoy the colors deepening, like the sunset sinking into the horizon.

3. Aplós & Pomelo

Meet pomelo, the grand dame of citrus fruits. Her thick yellow skin and subtly bitter pulp set the stage for Aplós Calme's harmonious fusion of botanicals and hemp. This elixir brings forth the quiet strength of the Calme, the earthiness of the wood sorrel tonic, and the revitalizing tang of pomelo juice.

Ingredients:

  • Aplós Calme: 2 oz
  • Wood sorrel tonic*: 1 oz
  • Pomelo juice (grapefruit is a great substitute): 2 oz
  • Sparkling water: 1 oz

Shake and strain. Serve in a rocks glass over a large ice cube, garnished with a slice of pomelo or grapefruit.

4. Thawing Out

Thawing Out is the breath of spring captured in a cocktail glass. Aplós Calme mingles with the floral notes of sakura cherry blossom tea and the sweetness of honey syrup. It's the daffodils pushing through the frost, the sound of birds returning, and the heavy winter coat left behind.

Ingredients:

  • Aplós Calme: 2 oz
  • Fresh lemon juice: 1/2 oz
  • Honey syrup: 1/2 oz
  • Sakura cherry blossom tea, steeped: 2 oz

Place honey, Aplós, lemon, and tea in a shaker with two ice cubes. Shake and strain into a tall glass with fresh ice and garnish with cherry blossoms and lemon twists.

5. Night Garden

With Night Garden, each sip is a journey into the mystical allure of the nocturnal world. The tranquil fusion of Aplós Calme, tart lemon juice, and chamomile honey syrup capture the serene beauty of a night garden with its earthy fragrance and hushed sounds.

In this glass is the stillness of the night, the dense foliage, and the heavy air punctuated with a chorus of crickets and night beetles.

Ingredients:

  • Aplós Calme: 1.5 oz
  • Lemon juice: 3/4 oz
  • Chamomile honey syrup: 1/2 oz

In an ice-filled shaker, add ingredients and shake. Strain into a champagne coupe glass. Garnish with fresh chamomile.

With these non-alcoholic citrus cocktail recipes, luxury meets wellness, sophistication finds balance, and nature's botanicals come alive in your glass. Here, every sip is an invitation to recalibrate and experience life's simple pleasures.

Elevating Moments With Aplós Citrus Cocktails

In the ebb and flow of life, Aplós exists as a sensory portal, offering an idyllic retreat into nature's expanse. Every cocktail, a harmonious blend of citrus zest and calming botanicals, mirrors the tranquility of a fruit-laden grove, whispering the quiet promise of mindful indulgence.

At social gatherings, the liveliness of a functional cocktail can lift spirits, sparking conversations and laughter. In solitude, its gentle calmness fosters introspection, nurturing the soul. Aplós imbues these moments with a vivacity unmarred by the haze of alcohol. It's not about fleeting escapes but lasting experiences, enjoyed one mindful sip at a time.

We've journeyed through the allure of citrus cocktails and the transformative role of non-alcoholic spirits. Now, the path is yours to explore, an invitation extended to taste the vivid tang of citrus, to savor the soothing calm of hemp-infused botanicals.

Aplós beckons you to celebrate the bloom of wellness and elevate your moments with a cocktail experience that is as unique as it is mindful. Unearth the magic of Aplós and experience luxury reimagined.

Sources:

Citrus fruits as a treasure trove of active natural metabolites that potentially provide benefits for human health | PMC

Vitamin C | Mayo Clinic

Mineral Content of the Pulp and Peel of Various Citrus Fruit Cultivars | PMC

What are Adaptogens & Types | Cleveland Clinic

Alcohol's Effects on the Body | NIAA