Weekend Toast: The perfect winter citrus cocktail and mocktail recipes.

The beautiful thing about citrus is that it tastes like summer, but hits peak season in winter, just when we need a pick-me-up. I can think of no better pick-me-up than to mix freshly squeezed citrus juices into a sweet mocktail or—even better—to spike them with booze for a tasty cocktail. With these gorgeous winter citrus cocktail and mocktail recipes, you can bet I'll be using our guide to citrus to grab what I need to sip a taste summer this (cold!) weekend. Photo: Blood Orange Bourbon Sour | A Nerd Cooks

Related: Our tips for picking, storing, and cooking with citrus.

Cocktail: Blood Orange Bourbon Sour

Even though citrus is at high season right now, it's pretty easy to get the basics like oranges, lemons, and limes all year around. But blood oranges are different. If you see them at the market now, you want to grab them. Combine the juice with some lemon juice (I'd use Meyer lemons, if you can find them), your favorite bourbon, and a couple of other ingredients to shake up this gorgeous Blood Orange Bourbon Sour at A Nerd Cooks (top).

Related: A maple cocktail and mocktail for a fun-filled weekend.

 

Mocktail: Orange Lemonade with Honey Ginger Syrup

You know the deal: When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. And when life gives you Meyer lemons and oranges, too, kick up your lemonade with this recipe for Orange Lemonade with Honey Ginger Syrup at Honey and Birch. A delicious combination spiced with a touch of ginger and lightly sweetened with honey instead of granulated sugar, this drink is perfect for mocktail and cocktail drinkers alike.