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    Home » Drinks » Clementine Ginger Cocktail

    Mar 24, 2021 · Modified: Oct 19, 2021 by Sues · This post may contain affiliate links, uses cookies, and generates income via ads · View privacy policy + disclosure statement linked in footer · 9 Comments

    Clementine Ginger Cocktail

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This Clementine Ginger Cocktail is a rum-based citrus drink that's perfect for sipping during the transition between seasons. Feel free to swap out the clementines for any other citrus and the rum for the liquor of your choice.

    Overhead view of an orange clementine ginger cocktail with clementine wedge, ginger slice, and mint leaf garnish with citrus, mint leaves, ginger, and second cocktail in background and recipe title at top

    (This recipe was originally published in 2016, but has been updated with new photos and content in 2021.)

    When I first wrote this post back in 2016, I was happily planning a tropical vacation. This cocktail was meant to hold me over until I was able to get away from work and to the beach. Those were the days.

    This time, I am not planning a tropical vacation. BUT the weather is starting to warm up here in New England and I'm planning a delightful spring and summer filled with lots of outside time. And lots of cocktails.

    Of course, there's plenty to love about summer drinks (berries! sangria! rosé!), but we shouldn't be discounting all of the glorious concoctions we can make in cooler weather. Especially with winter citrus, which is still in full abundance, even though spring is technically here.

    I've been eating clementines by the dozen and am always thinking about how they'd be delicious in cocktail form. Muddled clementines, combined with ginger, basil, and rum take winter citrus and turn it into a tropical treat!

    How to Make Clementine Ginger Cocktails

    Making this cocktail couldn't be easier! Simply add a clementine, mint leaves, and grated fresh ginger into a cocktail shaker.

    Overhead view of clementine wedges, mint leaves, and grated ginger in cocktail shaker

    Muddle it really well, extracting as much juice from the clementine as possible.

    And then add ice, rum, and simple syrup. Shake it up.

    Strain into a cocktail glass. I recommend using coupe glasses.

    Garnish the glass with a little clementine wedge, piece of ginger, and a mint leaf.

    Head-on view of two clementine ginger cocktails surrounded by clementines, mint leaves, and a piece of ginger

    If you love clementines, you'll love clementines with rum. I promise. It's basically impossible not to.

    Cocktail Substitutes

    Can't find clementines? Love the idea of this drink, but not a fan of rum? No problem! There are a ton of substitutes you can make to this cocktail. Here are a few ideas:

    • Instead of Clementines: Use any type of citrus! If you're loving sumo oranges (they seem to be the official citrus of 2021) or cara cara (my favorites!) or mandarins, you can use any of those in place of clementines.

      You may want to leave out a few wedges of the fruit though, since most citrus fruit is larger than the typical clementine. Or just add in more of the other ingredients!
    • Instead of Rum: Vodka would be the most obvious substitute for this cocktail and would be a delicious complement to the citrus and ginger. But tequila would work, too, and you could turn this into a margarita. I think gin would also be delicious.

    Any time I muddle mint into a cocktail, I feel like it's summer. Or that I should be sitting on a beach on a tropical island. I love that it can be combined with clementines for a cool weather sipper.

    The ginger also offers a little bit of warmth, making this clementine cocktail perfect for the transition from winter to spring.

    Landscape head-on view of two clementine ginger cocktails on a gold-rimmed platter with ginger, mint leaves, and clementines all around and cocktail shaker in background

    More Cocktail Recipes

    If you want to feel like you're sitting on a beach instead of in an office, I've got plenty of cocktail recipes that will help transport you! While all of these cocktails have a tropical-feel to them, they're appropriate for any time of year:

    • Blueberry Vodka Lemonade
    • Key Lime Pie Mojito
    • Sour Patch Kids Margarita
    • Cinnamon Pear Sangria
    • Blueberry Coconut Margarita
    • Tequila Thyme Lemonade
    • Honeydew Ginger Frozen Margarita
    • Pineapple and Rum Goldeneye Cocktail (from Amy Cakes)
    • Watermelon Mai Tai (from Spoonabilities)

    And now I will pour myself another clementine ginger cocktail while I stare out the window and marvel at the fact that it's staying light out so late.

    And wish away the rest of that stubborn snow that won't seem to melt away.

    Overhead view of an orange clementine ginger cocktail with clementine wedge, ginger slice, and mint leaf garnish with citrus, mint leaves, ginger, and second cocktail in background

    Annnd I'll probably also continue to count down the days until vacation where I can get any cocktail my heart desires.

    What's your favorite citrus fruit?

    Clementine ginger cocktail in a coupe glass with clementines, ginger, and mint all around

    Clementine Ginger Cocktail

    This Clementine Ginger Cocktail is a rum-based citrus drink that's perfect for sipping during the transition between seasons. Feel free to swap out the clementines for any other citrus and the rum for the liquor of your choice.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Citrus Recipes, Rum Drinks, Winter Citrus
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes
    Makes: 1 cocktail
    Author: Sues

    Ingredients

    • 1 clementine peeled and sectioned, plus more for garnish
    • 6 small mint leaves, plus more for garnish
    • ½ tsp grated fresh ginger
    • 1 ½ oz. light rum
    • 1 oz. simple syrup (recipe below)

    Simple Syrup

    • 1 cup water
    • 1 cup granulated sugar

    Instructions

    • Add clementine sections, mint leaves, and grated ginger into and cocktail shaker and muddle well, extracting as much juice as possible from clementine.
    • Add ice to shaker, along with rum and simple syrup. Shake well.
    • Strain cocktail into a small glass and garnish with clementine wedge, peeled ginger, and mint leaf.

    Simple Syrup

    • Combine water and sugar in a saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil.
    • Bring to a simmer and let simmer until sugar is dissolved and syrup begins to thicken, about 10 minutes.
    • Remove from heat and pour syrup into a heat-proof jar or bowl and let cool completely. Keep in fridge until ready to use.
    Share a Photo of Your Finished Recipe!Mention @wearenotmartha and share a photo if you've made the recipe!
    Clementine Ginger Cocktail
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says

      January 14, 2016 at 8:18 am

      I definitely wish I was on a beach somewhere right now...these single digit temps are not my favorite! This cocktail looks SO good! I love the clementine and ginger combo!

    2. Carrie @ Bakeaholic Mama says

      January 14, 2016 at 9:58 am

      I AM SO obsessed with clementines this time of year, it's the only way to pretend I'm in Florida when I'm actually stuck in cold New Hampshire. Also this cocktail looks ahh-mazing.

    3. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

      January 14, 2016 at 11:15 am

      5 stars
      Clementines and ginger are such a delicious combination, so put into a cocktail sounds FABULOUS! I mean a girl needs to stay warm somehow, and I'm thinking this libation is the perfect way! Besides it IS Thirsty Thursday, so you can bet I'll be pouring myself one of these come 5 (or 4) o'clock! Yay! Cheers! *clink clink*

    4. Pam says

      January 14, 2016 at 1:27 pm

      Having a vacation to look forward to, is the best feeling! Yay for you. The ginger clementine cocktail looks pretty, refreshing, and tasty!

    5. H. Buchholz says

      January 14, 2016 at 2:53 pm

      I get so excited at clementine season and then overbuy... THIS is my new solution!

    6. Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry says

      January 15, 2016 at 1:03 pm

      Im jealous your escaping the cold for warmer weather. In the meantime, I'll be over here, sipping on this cocktail, pretending i'm on a beach.

    7. Nicole says

      January 25, 2016 at 11:26 am

      I went to St. Maarten last year and it was delightful! Make sure you try the guavaberry rum...it's a specialty of the island! http://www.guavaberry.com/ I recommend the guavaberry colada for a frosty tropical twist cocktail.

      Also if you do decide to leave your beach chair (totally understand not wanting to do so!) I highly recommend watching the planes land at Maho Beach. It's completely amazing to see the jumbo jets come in so close to the water! There are a few bars right near the beach too. Just heed the warnings to stay safely back from the planes taking off! http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g147346-d539433-r80881149-Maho_Beach-St_Maarten_St_Martin.html

      We were staying at Sonesta Great Bay (over on the Dutch side near the cruise ship docks) which gave us the ability to visit their sister resort Sonesta Ocean Point for a day. They are right next to Maho beach so you can watch the planes land FROM your beach chair. Just FYI in case you are still looking for a place to stay. Loved both Sonestas and really enjoyed staying all inclusive! http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g3160017-d7125222-Reviews-Sonesta_Ocean_Point_Resort-Maho_Sint_Maarten_St_Maarten_St_Martin.html

    8. Sues says

      January 26, 2016 at 3:55 pm

      @Nicole- Yay!! Thank you for these awesome recommendations! I hadn't heard of the guavaberry rum, but now I'm pretty excited for it 🙂 My husband is a wanna-be pilot, so he will definitely want to check out the planes. We're staying at Westin Dawn Beach, which sounds like it's pretty remote from most things, but I'm sure we'll do some leaving of the beach chair 🙂

    9. Sydney says

      April 15, 2021 at 9:52 pm

      This is going on my summer drink menu! My bar cart needs a restock and this is the perfect reason to add some light rum to bar.

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