Lime

Esplanda's Lime is a cocktail mixer built around a single flavor, lime. That makes it a base for sours and long drinks, not a ready-made cocktail. The product details don't say whether it is sweetened, how much juice it contains, or whether it is shelf-stable, so check the label for those. Mixers in this category are usually either tart and juice-forward or balanced with sugar, and that decides how much extra sweetener a recipe needs. Lime is the backbone of the daiquiri, margarita, gimlet and caipirinha. In a daiquiri, pair it with white rum and a little simple syrup. A margarita calls for blanco tequila and an orange liqueur such as triple sec. A gimlet is gin and lime, usually in roughly two parts spirit to one part lime. If the mixer is already sweetened, start with less syrup or liqueur than a fresh-juice recipe asks for, taste, then adjust. Citrus mixers also work in highballs, such as vodka or gin with soda water, or white rum with ginger beer for a Dark 'n' Stormy variation with a lime lift. Non-alcoholic uses include limeade stirred with still or sparkling water, or a mocktail built on soda and fresh mint. Serve it cold. Chill the bottle beforehand, then shake with plenty of ice for shaken drinks and strain. Shaking dilutes the mix to the right strength and brings its sharpness down. For a margarita or a highball, pour over fresh ice in the glass. A coupe or Nick & Nora suits a daiquiri or gimlet served up. A rocks glass is the usual choice for a margarita on the rocks, and a tall highball glass suits soda-based drinks. At the table, lime pairs well with fried or grilled seafood, fish tacos, ceviche, spicy Thai and Mexican dishes, and salty snacks, where its acidity cuts through richness and heat.