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Lemon vs Lime Juice
Similar acidity, different aroma: when a sour wants lemon and when it wants lime.
Which should you use?
Both are sour enough to balance the same measure of syrup, so the choice is about aroma. Lemon is brighter and rounder and sits well with brandy, whisky and gin. Lime is sharper and greener and is the default with rum and tequila. Follow the recipe; it has usually chosen for a reason.
| Dimension | Lemon juice | Lime juice |
|---|---|---|
| Aroma | Bright, rounded citrus | Sharp, green, slightly bitter |
| Classic partners | Whisky, brandy, gin | Rum, tequila, cachaça |
| Examples | Whiskey Sour, Sidecar, Tom Collins | Daiquiri, Margarita, Mojito |
| After squeezing | Holds its character for a few hours | Best used within a few hours |
Using one in place of the other
Structurally the swap works — the balance holds — but the drink changes aroma. A Daiquiri with lemon is a recognisably different drink, not a ruined one.