15 Lemongrass Cocktails That Will Completely Transform Your Summer Nights

Updated at: 17-05-2026 - By: John Lau

There is something quietly magical about a drink that smells like a vacation before you even take the first sip. Lemongrass cocktails do exactly that. One whiff of that bright, citrus-herbal perfume and you are instantly transported somewhere warm, lush, and beautifully unhurried.

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Lemongrass has been hiding in plain sight for years, tucked into Thai curries and Vietnamese soups, steeping in wellness teas and aromatherapy blends. But the cocktail world has finally caught on in a major way, and the results are nothing short of stunning. Bartenders from Bangkok to Brooklyn are reaching for lemongrass stalks the same way they once reached for mint or rosemary, and the drinks they are creating deserve your full, undivided attention.

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Whether you are hosting a summer rooftop party, planning a girls’ night that calls for something a little more elevated than wine, or simply craving a cocktail that feels both exotic and approachable, lemongrass is your new best friend behind the bar.

This guide is your complete companion to lemongrass cocktails: where this incredible herb comes from, why it works so brilliantly in drinks, and fifteen show-stopping recipes that will make every sip feel like a special occasion.

The Story Behind Lemongrass: A Botanical With Ancient Roots

Lemongrass is not a new discovery. In fact, it has been one of the most revered plants in the world for thousands of years, and understanding its journey makes every cocktail made with it feel a little more meaningful.

Scientifically known as Cymbopogon citratus, lemongrass is a tropical perennial grass native to South Asia and Maritime Southeast Asia, with Malaysia widely considered the point of origin for the most common culinary variety. The first recorded cultivation of lemongrass dates back to 17th-century texts from the Philippines, and by 1905, researchers in Sri Lanka had begun studying the plant’s remarkable properties systematically. From there, its global journey accelerated quickly. After World War I, lemongrass was introduced to Madagascar, South America, and Central America, and it has since been naturalized throughout the tropics and subtropics worldwide.

What makes lemongrass such a crosscultural icon is the sheer range of its uses. In ancient India and China, lemongrass was widely used in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine to treat digestive issues, fever, infections, and inflammation, and it was believed to have detoxifying and calming effects, often brewed into teas or applied as an herbal remedy. In East India and Sri Lanka, communities combined it with other herbs to create a beverage locally known as “fever tea,” using it to treat fevers and stomach ailments, which earned lemongrass the vivid alternate name of “fever grass.”

The cultural roots of lemongrass run even deeper than medicine. In Southeast Asia, lemongrass was historically added to bathwater, and oils from the plants were combed through hair, mixed into lotions, and incorporated into deodorants. It was a plant that touched almost every aspect of daily life. In Brazil, it became a beloved remedy for nervous disorders, and it is one of the most popular plant medicines in the country to this day.

From a botanical perspective, lemongrass is nothing short of impressive. The essential oil of lemongrass has a high concentration of the compound citral, which is a widely coveted component in perfumes, cosmetics, and beverages due to its strong citrus-like aroma and taste. It is this compound that gives lemongrass its unmistakable brightness, the quality that makes it sing in a cocktail glass just as beautifully as it does in a bowl of tom yum soup.

Today, India stands as the world’s largest producer and exporter of lemongrass oil and products, a position built over more than a century of large-scale cultivation. The global market for lemongrass continues to grow, driven by rising consumer interest in botanical flavors, functional ingredients, and globally inspired cuisine.

In the cocktail world specifically, lemongrass has emerged as one of the most exciting botanical ingredients of the decade. Its taste is unique: although it is certainly reminiscent of lemon, it is much more complex, with earthy, herbal notes and an almost floral aroma, making it a favorite among mixologists when incorporated correctly. It pairs beautifully with true citrus like lime and yuzu, with herbal elements like mint and basil, and with warm spices like ginger and chili. That versatility is exactly why it has found its way into cocktails ranging from delicate spritzes to bold, spirit-forward martinis.

One important thing to know before you start mixing: lemongrass stems are tough and woody, so it is not a matter of simply juicing or throwing stalks in the blender as you might with fruit or other fresh herbs. The best results come from making a lemongrass simple syrup, infusing it into a spirit for a few days, muddling the tender inner stalk, or brewing it as a tea base. Each method brings out a slightly different dimension of its flavor, and all of them are explored in the recipes below.

How To Make Lemongrass Simple Syrup (Your Cocktail Foundation)

Before diving into the recipes, here is the one preparation method that will come up again and again. A good lemongrass simple syrup unlocks the full spectrum of cocktails below, so it is worth making a batch and keeping it in the fridge.

To make lemongrass simple syrup:

Trim the base of 3 to 4 fresh lemongrass stalks and remove the tough outer layers.
Use a mallet or the back of a knife to bruise the stalks, releasing their natural oils.
Slice the stalks thinly to maximize surface area.
Combine with 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar in a saucepan over medium heat.
Stir until the sugar dissolves, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.
Remove from heat, let it steep for 20 to 30 minutes, then strain through a fine mesh sieve.
Store in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to one week.

You can also enhance the syrup with complementary add-ins like sliced ginger, a kaffir lime leaf, a Thai chili, or a sprig of lemongrass for extra complexity.

15 Best Lemongrass Cocktails List

Lemongrass Mojito

The classic mojito is already one of the most refreshing drinks in the world, but when lemongrass steps into the mix, it becomes something truly transporting. This is the cocktail that will make your backyard feel like a beachside bar in Bali.

Ingredients:

2 oz white rum
1 oz fresh lime juice
1 oz lemongrass simple syrup
8 to 10 fresh mint leaves
1 inner stalk of lemongrass, finely diced and bruised
Club soda, to top
Crushed ice
Garnish: mint sprig and a lemongrass stalk

Instructions:

Place the diced lemongrass and mint leaves in the bottom of a cocktail shaker.
Gently muddle to release the oils, being careful not to over-shred the mint.
Add the rum, lime juice, and lemongrass simple syrup.
Fill the shaker with ice and shake briefly to chill.
Strain into a highball glass packed with crushed ice.
Top with club soda and stir gently.
Garnish with a mint sprig and a lemongrass stalk standing upright.

This cocktail is pale gold with a haze of crushed ice, garnished in a way that looks like it belongs on a magazine cover. It is herbal, zesty, and refreshingly cool, with the lemongrass adding a floral citrus note that lingers long after each sip. Perfect for warm afternoons and leisurely Sunday gatherings.

Lemongrass Gin Gimlet

The gin gimlet is a timeless classic, clean and citrus-forward with an elegant simplicity. Adding lemongrass simple syrup to the equation takes it from a cocktail bar staple into something genuinely special, with a botanical depth that makes it feel both modern and sophisticated.

Ingredients:

2 oz dry London dry gin
1 oz fresh lime juice
1 oz lemongrass simple syrup
Garnish: a thin lime wheel and a lemongrass stalk

Instructions:

Combine gin, lime juice, and lemongrass simple syrup in a cocktail shaker.
Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 15 seconds.
Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
Garnish with a thin lime wheel on the rim and a short lemongrass stalk rested across the glass.

This is a strikingly beautiful cocktail. It pours crystal clear with a very faint citrus tint, and the aroma that rises from the glass is floral, herbaceous, and absolutely irresistible. The gin’s botanical notes and the lemongrass play off each other with real elegance. This is the kind of cocktail you make when you want to impress without saying a word.

Lemongrass Vodka Martini

Sometimes you want a martini that feels like a breath of fresh tropical air. This lemongrass vodka martini delivers exactly that: the clean, crisp backbone of a classic martini with an aromatic twist that keeps things interesting all the way to the last drop.

Ingredients:

2.5 oz lemongrass-infused vodka (infuse plain vodka with 2 bruised lemongrass stalks for 24 to 48 hours, then strain)
0.5 oz dry vermouth
Fresh lemon juice, just a small squeeze
Garnish: lemon twist

Instructions:

Chill a martini glass in the freezer for at least 10 minutes.
Combine the lemongrass vodka, vermouth, and lemon juice in a mixing glass filled with ice.
Stir for 30 seconds until well chilled.
Strain into the chilled martini glass.
Express a lemon twist over the surface of the drink, then rest it on the rim.

The result is a martini that is sleek, elegant, and fragrant in the most refined way. The vodka infusion carries the delicate essence of lemongrass without overwhelming the spirit’s neutrality. This is an excellent choice for cocktail hour when you want something that looks effortlessly polished.

Lemongrass Margarita

The margarita already has everything: tequila’s earthy warmth, lime juice’s brightness, and the sweet-orange depth of triple sec. Add lemongrass into the equation and you get a cocktail that feels like a sun-soaked afternoon in a glass, with an aromatic complexity that makes it stand far above the standard version.

Ingredients:

2 oz blanco tequila
1 oz fresh lime juice
0.75 oz orange liqueur (Cointreau or triple sec)
0.75 oz lemongrass simple syrup
Coarse salt for the rim
Garnish: lime wheel and a lemongrass stalk

Instructions:

Run a lime wedge around the rim of a rocks glass and dip it in coarse salt.
Combine tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur, and lemongrass simple syrup in a cocktail shaker.
Fill with ice and shake hard for 15 seconds.
Fill the prepared glass with fresh ice and strain the cocktail over it.
Garnish with a lime wheel and a lemongrass stalk.

This cocktail is a glorious pale gold, offset by the salted rim and the vivid green of the lemongrass garnish. It hits every note: sour, sweet, smoky from the tequila, and aromatic from the lemongrass. It is the kind of drink that gets served at parties and immediately prompts someone to ask for the recipe.

Lemongrass Cucumber Collins

This is a sophisticated, spa-inspired cocktail that manages to be both incredibly refreshing and visually stunning. The Empress 1908 Indigo Gin, with its distinctive blue-purple hue, creates a color-shift effect when mixed with the lemongrass syrup that is almost too beautiful to drink.

Ingredients:

2 oz gin (Empress 1908 Indigo Gin for the color effect, or any floral gin)
1 oz lemongrass simple syrup
1 oz fresh cucumber juice (blend and strain fresh cucumber)
0.75 oz fresh lime juice
Sparkling water, to top
Garnish: cucumber slices, fresh basil, edible flowers

Instructions:

Combine lemongrass simple syrup, cucumber juice, and lime juice in a cocktail glass and stir well.
Add ice and pour in the sparkling water.
Slowly pour the gin over the back of a spoon so it layers on top of the drink.
Garnish with cucumber slices, basil leaves, and a few edible flowers.
Stir gently before drinking to blend the flavors.

This cocktail is a visual masterpiece: purple-blue from the gin, frothy with bubbles, crowned with green cucumber and delicate flowers. The flavor is cooling and ethereal, like drinking a garden on a hot day. It is the ideal cocktail for brunch or a Saturday afternoon that deserves to be savored slowly.

Lemongrass Ginger Moscow Mule

The Moscow Mule is already a crowd-pleasing classic, but the lemongrass ginger version turns it into something that feels genuinely adventurous. The copper mug chills the drink dramatically, and the combination of ginger beer and lemongrass creates a spicy-citrus layer that is absolutely addictive.

Ingredients:

2 oz vodka
1 oz lemongrass simple syrup
0.75 oz fresh lime juice
4 oz ginger beer
Garnish: lime wedge, fresh mint sprig, lemongrass stalk

Instructions:

Fill a copper mug or rocks glass generously with ice.
Add vodka, lemongrass simple syrup, and lime juice.
Stir to combine.
Top with ginger beer and stir gently.
Garnish with a lime wedge, a sprig of mint, and a lemongrass stalk.

The copper mug keeps this drink icy cold and looks absolutely striking. The drink itself is pale and bubbly, with the ginger beer providing a warm, peppery kick that the lemongrass syrup brightens and softens beautifully. It is festive, fun, and incredibly easy to drink.

Lemongrass Cosmopolitan

The Cosmopolitan is the cocktail equivalent of a little black dress: classic, flattering on everyone, and always in style. This lemongrass riff adds a herbaceous edge that makes it feel fresh and contemporary while keeping the essential soul of the original intact.

Ingredients:

1.5 oz citrus vodka
0.75 oz Cointreau
0.75 oz fresh lime juice
0.5 oz lemongrass simple syrup
0.5 oz cranberry juice
Garnish: flamed orange peel or a lemongrass stalk

Instructions:

Chill a coupe or martini glass.
Combine citrus vodka, Cointreau, lime juice, lemongrass simple syrup, and cranberry juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
Shake vigorously for 12 to 15 seconds.
Double strain into the chilled glass.
Garnish with a flamed orange peel or a delicate lemongrass stalk.

This cocktail is a blush-pink dream in a glass. It is tart, slightly sweet, and elegantly perfumed by the lemongrass and citrus vodka. The cranberry adds that gorgeous rosy hue while the lemongrass keeps the flavors lifted and bright. It is an ideal cocktail for celebrations, girls’ nights, and moments when you want to feel genuinely glamorous.

Lemongrass Rosemary Vodka Spritzer

This cocktail is what happens when the herb garden meets the cocktail bar, and the results are inspired. The combination of lemongrass and rosemary creates a savory-aromatic complexity that is unlike anything you will find in a bottle off the shelf.

Ingredients:

2 oz vodka
0.75 oz lemongrass-rosemary simple syrup (add 1 sprig of rosemary and 1 sliced Thai chili to the basic lemongrass syrup recipe while simmering)
0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
4 oz ginger beer
Garnish: rosemary sprig, lemon wedge

Instructions:

Fill a highball or rocks glass with ice.
Combine vodka, lemongrass-rosemary syrup, and lemon juice in a shaker with ice.
Shake briefly and strain over the ice in the glass.
Top with ginger beer and stir gently.
Garnish with a rosemary sprig and a lemon wedge.

The drink is golden and effervescent, with the rosemary sprig standing tall like an aromatic flag. On the nose it is complex and herbaceous; on the palate it is bright and slightly warming from the chili. This one has a wonderful seasonless quality: elegant on a summer evening, equally at home beside a winter fireplace.

Lemongrass Thai Basil Smash

The smash is one of the most satisfying cocktail formats in existence, and when you build it around lemongrass and Thai basil, you get something that tastes like a five-star Thai restaurant in your living room. This drink is bold, herbaceous, and deeply aromatic.

Ingredients:

2 oz gin or white rum
1 oz lemongrass simple syrup
0.75 oz fresh lime juice
8 fresh Thai basil leaves (or regular basil)
3 thin slices of fresh ginger
Garnish: Thai basil sprig, lime wheel

Instructions:

Place the Thai basil leaves and ginger slices in the bottom of a cocktail shaker.
Gently muddle until fragrant but not pulverized.
Add gin (or rum), lemongrass simple syrup, and lime juice.
Fill with ice and shake vigorously.
Double strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
Garnish with a Thai basil sprig and a lime wheel on the rim.

This cocktail is a vivid, herbaceous green with a slight cloudiness from the muddled basil. The aroma is extraordinary: ginger, basil, and lemongrass woven together into something intensely perfumed and deeply refreshing. It is a cocktail for people who like their drinks to have real character and depth.

Lemongrass Whiskey Sour

The whiskey sour is a cocktail that has stood the test of time, and for good reason: that balance of spirit, citrus, and sweet is endlessly satisfying. Lemongrass transforms it into something unexpected and wonderful, adding a citrus-botanical layer that works beautifully alongside the warmth of the whiskey.

Ingredients:

2 oz bourbon or blended Scotch whisky
1 oz fresh lemon juice
0.75 oz lemongrass simple syrup
0.5 oz egg white (optional, for foam)
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Garnish: lemon slice, Angostura bitters drops on the foam, lemongrass stalk

Instructions:

If using egg white, add all ingredients to a shaker without ice and dry shake for 20 seconds to emulsify.
Add ice and shake again vigorously for 15 seconds.
Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
Add a few drops of Angostura bitters on top of the foam.
Garnish with a lemon slice and a short lemongrass stalk.

This cocktail is a study in beautiful contrast: the frothy white egg white foam, the amber of the bourbon beneath it, and the rust-colored bitters droplets on top. It is warming, sour, slightly floral, and deeply satisfying. The lemongrass does not overpower the whiskey; it simply brightens it, the way a squeeze of lemon brightens a rich sauce.

Lemongrass Coconut Daiquiri

The daiquiri is one of the most pure, unforgiving cocktails in existence. There is nowhere to hide, so every ingredient must pull its weight. In this tropical version, lemongrass syrup and coconut cream join the rum and lime to create something dreamy, creamy, and utterly indulgent.

Ingredients:

2 oz white rum
1 oz fresh lime juice
0.75 oz lemongrass simple syrup
1 oz coconut cream
Garnish: toasted coconut flakes, lime wheel, lemongrass stalk

Instructions:

Combine rum, lime juice, lemongrass simple syrup, and coconut cream in a cocktail shaker.
Fill with ice and shake hard for 15 to 20 seconds.
Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
Garnish with toasted coconut flakes sprinkled on the surface, a small lime wheel on the rim, and a lemongrass stalk.

This cocktail is silky, pale ivory, and rich, yet somehow still refreshing. The coconut cream softens the lime’s sharpness while the lemongrass adds a citrus brightness that keeps the whole thing from feeling heavy. Garnished with toasted coconut, it looks like something served at a luxury resort in the Maldives. It absolutely deserves that comparison.

Lemongrass Strawberry Fizz

This is the cocktail for the woman who wants something playful, pink, and packed with flavor. The sweetness of fresh strawberries and the aromatic brightness of lemongrass are a match made in cocktail heaven, especially when finished with a generous pour of club soda.

Ingredients:

1.5 oz gin or vodka
1 oz lemongrass-strawberry simple syrup (add 6 to 8 fresh strawberries to the basic lemongrass syrup while simmering)
0.5 oz fresh lemon juice
3 to 4 oz club soda
Garnish: sliced strawberry, fresh mint, lemongrass stalk

Instructions:

Combine gin or vodka, lemongrass-strawberry syrup, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker with ice.
Shake well and strain into a highball glass over fresh ice.
Top with club soda and stir gently.
Garnish with a sliced strawberry on the rim, a mint sprig, and a lemongrass stalk.

This cocktail is a glorious blush-pink with bubbles streaming up through the glass, the strawberry and mint garnish adding a burst of color on top. It is sweet but not cloying, fruity but grounded by the lemongrass’s herbal edge. It is the cocktail version of a flirtatious smile: bright, charming, and impossible to ignore.

Lemongrass Elderflower Spritz

Elderflower liqueur and lemongrass share a delicate, floral quality that makes them natural partners in a glass. This spritz is light, sophisticated, and impossibly easy to drink, which means you may want to pace yourself because one is never enough.

Ingredients:

1.5 oz gin
0.75 oz St-Germain elderflower liqueur
0.75 oz lemongrass simple syrup
0.5 oz fresh lemon juice
3 oz prosecco or sparkling wine
Garnish: lemon ribbon, edible flowers, lemongrass stalk

Instructions:

Combine gin, St-Germain, lemongrass simple syrup, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker with ice.
Shake briefly and strain into a chilled wine glass or stemless flute over ice.
Top gently with prosecco.
Garnish with a long lemon ribbon, a few edible flowers, and a lemongrass stalk.

This cocktail is almost too beautiful to drink, which is exactly the point. It is pale gold and glittering, with flowers floating at the surface and bubbles rising from below. The flavor is incredibly elegant: floral, citrus, lightly sweet, and perfectly balanced by the botanical gin. This is the cocktail you serve at bridal showers, garden parties, and any occasion that calls for quiet, effortless glamour.

Lemongrass Paloma

The Paloma is Mexico’s most beloved tequila cocktail, beloved for its easy, grapefruit-and-tequila charm. The lemongrass twist takes it somewhere unexpected, adding a Southeast Asian aromatic note that pairs surprisingly beautifully with the grassy warmth of blanco tequila.

Ingredients:

2 oz blanco tequila
0.75 oz lemongrass simple syrup
1 oz fresh grapefruit juice
0.5 oz fresh lime juice
4 oz grapefruit soda (Jarritos or Fever-Tree)
Garnish: grapefruit slice, lemongrass stalk, tajin rim (optional)

Instructions:

If desired, run a lime wedge around the rim of a highball glass and dip in tajin or salt.
Fill the glass with ice.
Combine tequila, lemongrass simple syrup, grapefruit juice, and lime juice in a shaker with ice.
Shake briefly and strain into the prepared glass.
Top with grapefruit soda and stir gently.
Garnish with a grapefruit slice and a lemongrass stalk.

This cocktail is blushing pink and golden, fizzing at the surface, with a fragrant, citrus-tropical aroma that makes it irresistible. The lemongrass softens the grapefruit’s bitterness and adds an aromatic lift that the original Paloma does not have. It is bright, celebratory, and makes every hour feel like happy hour.

Lemongrass Pineapple Tiki Punch

This is the cocktail for when you want to go all-in on the tropical experience. Rum, pineapple, lime, and lemongrass come together in a punch that is bold, bright, and deeply satisfying, the kind of drink that makes everyone at the table reach for their glass at the same time.

Ingredients:

2 oz white or aged rum
1 oz fresh pineapple juice
0.75 oz lemongrass simple syrup
0.75 oz fresh lime juice
A few dashes of Angostura bitters
Club soda or pineapple soda, to top
Garnish: pineapple wedge, toasted coconut flakes, lemongrass stalk, fresh mint

Instructions:

Combine rum, pineapple juice, lemongrass simple syrup, lime juice, and bitters in a cocktail shaker with ice.
Shake vigorously for 15 seconds.
Strain into a large rocks glass or tiki mug over fresh ice.
Top with a splash of club soda or pineapple soda.
Garnish generously with a pineapple wedge, toasted coconut, lemongrass stalk, and mint.

This cocktail is a golden, tropical feast for the eyes and the palate. The pineapple adds sweetness and body, the rum provides backbone, and the lemongrass ties it all together with a fragrant, citrus-herbal thread that keeps every sip interesting. Served in a tiki mug with an elaborate garnish, it is the star of any summer gathering and the perfect drink to make for a crowd.

Conclusion

Lemongrass cocktails are so much more than a trend. They are an invitation to explore a world of flavor that is botanical, aromatic, culturally rich, and endlessly versatile. Whether you are drawn to the floral delicacy of the Elderflower Spritz, the bold tropical punch of the Pineapple Tiki, or the timeless elegance of the Gin Gimlet, lemongrass has the rare ability to elevate any drink it touches.

The beauty of working with lemongrass is how generously it rewards a little preparation. A batch of lemongrass simple syrup made on a Sunday afternoon can fuel a week’s worth of beautiful cocktails. Infusing a bottle of vodka or gin takes almost no effort and yields results that taste like genuine craft bartending.

So the next time you pass those long, pale stalks in the produce aisle or at your local Asian market, pick some up. Take them home, bruise them, steep them, and muddle them. Let their bright, lemony, impossibly fragrant oils find their way into your next cocktail. You will be glad you did, and so will everyone lucky enough to drink with you.

Here is to summer nights, beautiful glasses, and the herb that makes every sip feel like somewhere worth going.

Sources: https://chesbrewco.com
Category: Cocktails

15 Lemongrass Cocktails That Will Completely Transform Your Summer Nights Updated 05/2026

The Story Behind Lemongrass: A Botanical With Ancient Roots

How To Make Lemongrass Simple Syrup (Your Cocktail Foundation)