11 Best Lime Liqueurs
Lime liqueurs can be used to make refreshing beverages and can also be served on their own for a fresh and zesty flavor after meals.
If you have been looking for the best lime liqueurs, then you are at the right place!
What are the best lime liqueurs? The best lime liqueurs are made from premium quality lemons that provide a crisp and smooth flavor with juicy and subtly sweet undertones. We recommend going with Bacardi Lime, Patron Citronge Lime, Smirnoff Lime Vodka, Western Son Lime Vodka, Jose Cuervo Lime Margarita, and more options listed below.
Read on to learn about lime liqueurs, a buyer’s guide on how to determine the quality of the liqueur, and our top recommendations!
Flavored Liqueur Basics
Lime liqueur is an infused alcoholic beverage that provides a boozy and pleasantly tart flavor.
Infused liqueurs have been around since we discovered the process of distillation and fermentation.
Today, you can find hundreds of infused liqueurs around the world and many distilleries have come up with unique methods for infusing the essence of fruits and botanicals.
The concept of infusion is simple and you can even make your very own blend of lemon-infused liqueur at home!
All you need is to prepare the beverage using either a suspension or immersion method. Once the liqueur has been adequately flavored, you can mix it with a simple sugar syrup to balance out all the flavors.
Why Buy Liqueurs
The problem, though, is that homemade liqueurs are very hard to get right. Especially if you don’t have adequate experience.
This is why so many people prefer to go for store-bought options that are made with years, if not decades, worth of experience.
When you go for high-quality brands, you will be guaranteed an extremely smooth, versatile, and delicious beverage that you can use for margaritas, refreshing beverages, and even for cooking purposes too!
Lime liqueurs are part of a growing RTD (Ready To Drink) market that is expected to grow exponentially in the coming years. So, now is as good a time as any to get into flavored spirits!
Keep in mind: the primary focus for lime liqueur is to keep a focus on balance.
Why is this so important? Well, lime and lemon zest can be particularly overpowering.
The challenge is to keep the zesty flavors and aromas at a level that works with the base liquor – and, fortunately, many high-quality brands can pull this off.
But before we get into the recommendations, let’s first go through a quick buyer’s guide that will aid your purchase decision and will help you pick the best brand for your palette.
Choosing The Best Lime Liqueurs
To make things easier, we will divide this guide into different sections, each of which will highlight an important aspect that you need to keep in mind when shopping for lime liqueurs.
Here is what you need to consider when buying lime liqueurs:
- Avoiding cheap brands
- Bottle size
- Spirit type and ABV
Avoid Cheap Brands
This is the number one rule when shopping for any liqueur.
Never go with cheap brands that sell liqueur under $9. Many people believe that they can get better value if they go for cheaper brands that provide more “perceived value” – but this is the wrong approach!
Sure, if you are looking to get drunk or buzzed then you could opt for a pocket-friendly and low-quality liqueur.
But if you want to experience the flavor and texture of authentic and high-quality flavored liqueurs then you will have to increase your budget – but not by much!
You can get a high-quality lime liqueur at a reasonable price of around $9.5 to $25 for a 750ml bottle. Please spare yourself the agony of going through a liter of cheap flavored “rum.”
Just go through our list below, we guarantee you will find something that sits well with your preference and your wallet!
Bottle Size
Although you can go with any bottle size, if you are just getting started with flavored liqueurs then we highly recommend that you stick with the smallest bottle size available.
Sure, you might save on getting a larger bottle, but you wouldn’t want to be stuck with a liqueur that you don’t like.
An exception to this rule is when you opt for vodka or rum-based liqueurs that can also be used in a wide variety of other beverages. In this case, even if you don’t like the flavor of the base liqueur, you will still be able to customize it in different ways and get some value out of it!
Spirit Type and ABV
Always go with a spirit type that you love and have experienced before.
Lime liqueur can be prepared with vodka, gin, rum, schnapps, tequila, and more. This is also a great strategy to get acquainted with RTD (Ready to Drink) spirits.
While lime liqueur is a fan favorite with vodka and rum, you can also find it in other varieties. Perhaps the best thing about lime liqueurs is that they can also be mixed and matched with other ingredients.
So don’t be afraid to experiment with them!
Don’t know where to start? Don’t worry, our recommendations cover a range of spirit types for you to choose from!
ABV
Don’t want a super boozy lime liqueur? Then keep the ABV (Alcohol By Volume) percentage in mind.
The ABV will give you a quick idea of what you can expect from the spirit and can also help you ascertain your likelihood of enjoying it.
Lime liqueurs are available in a range of 9.5% to up to 70% ABV and because of this variance, we recommend going with at least two different liqueurs for the best experience.
Get a low ABV liqueur for margaritas or for making other refreshing beverages at home and keep the high ABV liqueur stocked in the cabinet – you know, for “emergencies.”
11 Best Lime Liqueurs
Here are our top picks for the best lime liqueurs that you can buy today:
Rank | Product | ABV |
---|---|---|
1. | Bacardi Lime | 35% |
2. | Jose Cuervo Light Margarita | 9.95% |
3. | Malibu Lime | 21% |
4. | Patron Citronge Lime | 35% |
5. | Smirnoff Lime Vodka | 35% |
6. | Western Son Lime Vodka | 30% |
7. | Jose Cuervo Classic Lime Margarita | 9.95% |
8. | Seagram's Lime Twisted Gin | 35% |
9. | Deep Eddy Lime Vodka | 35% |
10. | Absolut Lime | 40% |
11. | Dulce Vida Lime Tequila | 35% |
These recommendations have been handpicked by our crew and also follow our buyer’s guide above.
Please drink responsibly and enjoy!
1. Bacardi Lime
It’s a fan favorite for a reason.
Not only is Bacardi Lime a great standalone beverage, it can also be mixed with club soda and other ingredients to make a wide variety of boozy beverages.
It is carefully blended to provide you with a thorough hit of fruity and zesty flavors that are accompanied by strong aromas.
We recommend this drink to anyone
who wants to make an assortment of lime-flavored beverages.
With an ABV of 35%, it is one of the best lime liqueurs in the market that is both reasonably priced and highly versatile.
2. Jose Cuervo Light Margarita
Get all of the benefits of a delicious margarita – without the added calories of a typical margarita!
This tequila cocktail delivers a zesty flavor balanced with triple sec and Mexico-made Gold Tequila.
It has less than 100 calories per serving which we think is completely ridiculous, in a good way. It is premixed and ready to drink!
Just open up a bottle and pour it neat or use your imagination and use the smooth and balanced flavor of this liqueur for a range of boozy beverages.
3. Malibu Lime
Made with a fan-favorite Caribbean Rum that is beloved by many.
This liqueur provides an aromatic and highly delicious flavor of lime that is accompanied by sweet undertones and a refreshing rounded finish.
The best thing about this liqueur is that it plays well with others; with an ABV of just 21%, it can mix in beautifully with soda. This opens up lots of avenues for you to experiment with the natural lemon/lime flavors.
The liqueur is available in a 750 mL or 1.75L bottle. And we think you won’t mind getting the larger bottle in this particular instance.
4. Patron Citronge Lime
Made from the highest-possible quality of Persian limes, this beverage is the perfect refreshing liqueur that everyone should stock in their cabinet.
It has a crystal-clear color and is highly aromatic. The liqueur provides a long-lasting refreshing finish and is a great match for cocktails, and desserts. You can even cook with it!
We recommend using it with sauces or other recipes that require a delicious and zesty lime flavor.
5. Smirnoff Lime Vodka
Lime Vodka is an excellent choice for people who are looking for a sharp and flavorful lime liqueur.
With an ABV of 35%, this liqueur provides multiple layers of flavor. It has a fresh and pronounced citrusy flavor with a smooth finish.
You can truly taste the lime and fresh lemon zest with every sip of this delicious flavored vodka. Although it has a bit of a flat finish, it can pair well with just about any ingredient.
We recommend trying a small bottle. Experiment with different drinks and see what you can create!
6. Western Son Lime Vodka
This infused vodka has a sort of in-your-face flavor that is suitable for people who enjoy a bold drink that isn’t afraid to show off its subtle fruity notes.
Get hints of fresh lime zest and a unique tart and sweet citrusy flavor guaranteed to sit well with anyone’s palate.
You also get very subtle notes of tropical fruit that result in a refreshing and dry finish.
Just like other lime liqueurs on our list, you can use this one to make a wide variety of lime-inspired cocktails at home. Try a glass of Fresh Start, the Patriot, The Rocket, and much more!
7. Jose Cuervo Classic Lime Margarita
Jose Cuervo’s Authentic lime margarita is formulated to be the best lime liqueur in America. And it can back that boast with its highly balanced flavor and smooth finish.
Unlike the light version mentioned on our list, this liqueur does not hold back. You get some added calories but with all the premium goodness that this lime liqueur has to provide!
It’s lightly boozy with just a 9.95% ABV and can help you make professional-quality beverages right from your kitchen counter.
Take this out during a party at home and we guarantee that you’ll get rave reviews on your choice.
8. Seagram’s Lime Twisted Gin
Make martinis or enjoy this beverage straight up!
This dry gin is infused with the flavors of premium lemons and is the perfect companion for anyone who enjoys fresh and zesty flavors.
It provides strong aromatics and can be topped as a secret ingredient in multiple beverages.
This lime liqueur has an ABV of 35% and is suitable for anyone who has a more developed palate – or for someone who can pick up on subtle notes!
9. Deep Eddy Lime Vodka
Want a refreshing and authentic lime-flavored liqueur that’s bold and provides a thoroughly boozy serving?
Then we recommend you invest in this lime vodka made from real premium quality lemons.
This 70% ABV liqueur is distilled around 10 times and is also gluten-free.
It has a fresh and vibrant flavor with an alluring aroma. Use it as a base for any cocktail recipe or serve it with a soda for a refreshing experience!
10. Absolut Lime
This special lime liqueur is absolutely amazing!
It provides you with a balanced flavor of lime and has a very refreshing zesty aroma to it. With an ABV of 40%, we think this liqueur will suit newcomers and everyone who has previously experienced Absolut vodka.
It’s made from an advanced infusion method that adds a zestier and more refreshing flavor than other brands.
You can truly taste freshly squeezed lime with every serving of this highly balanced and delicious beverage.
Unlike other cheap brands, it doesn’t have added sugars and it also offers subtle hints of fruity flavors. This makes it the perfect base liqueur for a range of beverages.
11. Dulce Vida Lime Tequila
Dulce Vida’s Lime Tequila may be a bit more expensive than other entries on our list. But it is well worth every penny.
This Mexico-made liqueur is formulated with 100% premium blue agave which is carefully infused over some time and then blended with fresh fruit.
The best thing about this lime liqueur is that it can either be enjoyed on its own, as a shot, or you can add soda or other ingredients to make lip-smacking beverages right from the comfort of your counter.