Lemon Twist Bright Aperitif (Printable)

Zesty lemon twist with gin and soda, perfect for a refreshing, lively drink moment.

# What You'll Need:

01 - 1.5 fl oz gin

02 - 0.5 fl oz triple sec (orange liqueur)

03 - 0.5 fl oz freshly squeezed lemon juice

04 - Lemon peel for twist

05 - 2 fl oz chilled soda water

06 - 0.17 fl oz simple syrup (optional, to taste)

07 - Ice cubes

01 - Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.

02 - Add gin, triple sec, lemon juice, and simple syrup if using to the shaker.

03 - Shake vigorously for 10 to 15 seconds until well chilled.

04 - Strain the mixture into a chilled highball or coupe glass filled with fresh ice.

05 - Top with soda water and gently stir to combine.

06 - Express oils from a strip of lemon peel over the drink by twisting it, then drop the peel into the glass as garnish.

01 -

It comes together in five minutes, which means you can stop overthinking and actually enjoy your evening.
The fresh lemon juice makes it taste nothing like bottled cocktails, and that alone will change how you feel about drinking at home.
It's the kind of drink that works whether you're alone with a book or hosting people—no pretension required.

02 -

Room-temperature ingredients will kill your drink no matter how good your technique is; everything needs to start cold, especially that soda water.
The soda water goes in last because once it's mixed, those bubbles are finite—if you stir too vigorously after adding it, you're left with flat liquid.
That lemon twist isn't decoration; the oils are flavor, and skipping this step means you're missing the whole reason this drink is called what it is.

03 -

If you don't have a jigger, a shot glass works, and honest eyeballing after you've made it a few times is fine—precision matters less once you understand the balance.
The quality of your lemon matters; grab ones that feel heavy for their size and have thin, smooth skin that's easier to twist.