Lemon Lime and Bitters is a refreshing Australian drink made with fizzy lemonade, fresh lime juice and a few dashes of Angostura bitters. It’s citrusy, lightly bitter, fizzy and ready in about 2 minutes.
It’s often served as a non-alcoholic or very low-alcohol drink, although traditional bitters do contain alcohol. The amount used leaves only trace alcohol in the finished drink, and I’ve included notes below if you need a fully alcohol-free version.
Recipe updated 02 June 2026: Updated with clearer alcohol-free notes, US lemonade wording, lime cordial variation, jug measurements and troubleshooting.
Fresh lime juice or lime cordial?
Some Australian versions of Lemon Lime and Bitters use lime cordial, which gives a sweeter, more classic pub-style flavour.
This recipe uses fresh lime juice for a sharper, fresher drink. Both work, so use lime cordial if you prefer a sweeter version or want it closer to the one you remember from pubs and restaurants.
Why this Lemon Lime and Bitters works
- Only 3 main ingredients – fizzy lemonade, lime juice and aromatic bitters.
- Ready in 2 minutes – build it straight in the glass over ice.
- Refreshing, not too heavy – citrusy, fizzy and lightly bitter.
- Easy to adjust – add more lime for sharpness, more lemonade for sweetness or more bitters for depth.
- Great for hot days – ideal for BBQs, lunches, picnics and easy entertaining.
Key ingredients
You’ll find the full ingredient list with measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Ice
Use plenty of ice so the drink stays cold and refreshing.
Fizzy lemonade
Use clear fizzy lemonade, such as Sprite, 7UP or Schweppes-style lemonade. In the US, use lemon-lime soda rather than still homemade lemonade.
You can use sugar-free lemonade if you prefer a lighter version.
Freshly squeezed lime juice
Freshly squeezed lime juice gives the best bright, sharp flavour. Bottled lime juice will work in a pinch, but the flavour won’t be as fresh.
Lime cordial is also used in some Australian versions, but this recipe uses fresh lime juice for a sharper, fresher drink.
Aromatic bitters
Angostura bitters are the classic choice and give Lemon Lime and Bitters its orange colour and lightly bitter, herbal flavour. Traditional bitters contain alcohol, but only a few dashes are used in the drink.
If you need the drink to be completely alcohol-free, use alcohol-free bitters.
How to make Lemon Lime and Bitters
1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Pour in the fizzy lemonade and fresh lime juice. Stir briefly.
3. Add 5–10 dashes of Angostura bitters, or adjust to taste.
4. Stir gently to combine. For a layered ombré effect, stir less after adding the bitters.
5. Garnish with a slice of lemon or lime, or a citrus peel twist, and serve immediately.
Is Lemon Lime and Bitters non-alcoholic?
Lemon Lime and Bitters is often treated as a non-alcoholic or very low-alcohol drink because it only uses a few dashes of bitters. Traditional Angostura bitters do contain alcohol, but the amount used leaves only trace alcohol in the finished drink.
That said, it is not completely alcohol-free. If you need a truly alcohol-free Lemon Lime and Bitters, use alcohol-free bitters.
For anyone avoiding alcohol completely, alcohol-free bitters are the safest choice.
Variations
Sugar-free Lemon Lime and Bitters – Use sugar-free fizzy lemonade.
More lime – Add extra fresh lime juice for a sharper drink.
More bitter – Add extra dashes of bitters.
Alcohol-free – Use alcohol-free bitters.
Cocktail version – Add a shot of vodka, gin or white rum. Vodka keeps the flavour closest to the original, while gin adds a more botanical note.
Lime cordial version – Replace the fresh lime juice with lime cordial for a sweeter, more classic pub-style version.
How to make a jug of Lemon Lime and Bitters
For a 1-litre jug, use:
- 920ml fizzy lemonade
- 80ml fresh lime juice
- 20–30 dashes Angostura bitters, or to taste
- plenty of ice
- lemon or lime slices
Stir gently and serve straight away so it stays fizzy.
How to make a lemon or lime twist
1. Use a vegetable peeler to remove a long strip of lemon or lime peel, avoiding as much white pith as possible.
2. Slice the peel into a thin strip.
3. Twist it around your finger, a straw or the handle of a spoon to shape it.
4. Hook it over the side of the glass.
Troubleshooting Lemon Lime and Bitters
My drink tastes too sweet
Add more lime juice, extra ice or a splash of soda water if you want to lighten it.
My drink tastes too bitter
Use fewer dashes of bitters next time, or add more lemonade.
The drink went flat
Make it just before serving and use chilled fizzy lemonade.
The bitters sank to the bottom
Give the drink a gentle stir. Stir less if you want an ombré effect, or stir properly if you want the flavour evenly mixed.
It doesn’t taste like the pub version
Many pub-style versions use lime cordial rather than fresh lime juice. Use lime cordial if you prefer a sweeter, more classic Australian pub-style flavour.
More refreshing drinks
If you enjoyed this Lemon Lime and Bitters, try my Rock Shandy, coconut shake or Milo Dinosaur. For something creamier, my iced coffee with condensed milk is another easy one to make at home.
More Australian-inspired recipes
If you’re after something sweet to serve with drinks, try my Mars Bar slice. For savoury comfort food, try cheesy chicken rissoles or devilled sausages.
Lemon Lime and Bitters Recipe
Ingredients
- ice enough to fill the glass halfway
- 250 millilitre (1 cup) fizzy lemonade or lemon-lime soda
- 20 millilitre (1 tbsp + 1 tsp) lime juice freshly squeezed
- 5-10 dashes Angostura bitters or other bitters of your choice
Instructions
- Fill a tall glass with ice.ice
- Add the fizzy lemonade and fresh lime juice. Stir briefly.250 millilitre (1 cup) fizzy lemonade or lemon-lime soda, 20 millilitre (1 tbsp + 1 tsp) lime juice
- Add 5–10 dashes of Angostura bitters, or adjust to taste.5-10 dashes Angostura bitters
- Stir gently. Stir less for a layered ombré effect, or stir properly for an even flavour.
- Garnish with lemon or lime and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use fizzy lemonade or lemon-lime soda, not still lemonade.
- Traditional Angostura bitters contain alcohol, but only trace amounts remain in the finished drink when using a few dashes. For a fully alcohol-free drink, use alcohol-free bitters.
- Make just before serving so the drink stays fizzy.
- Nutrition will vary depending on the lemonade used. Sugar-free lemonade will reduce the calories and sugar significantly.
Nutrition
For food safety advice, including guidance on food allergies
Just for information, the alcohol content of this drink is negligible, not “negligent”.
Hi Margaret,
You’re absolutely right – and thank you for pointing that out! It must’ve slipped through the cracks in that one spot, even though I had it right elsewhere. All fixed now 😊 Appreciate the keen eye!
Maretha.