Sustainable machining practices including dry cutting, cryogenic cooling (Cryo), and minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) techniques play an essential role in minimizing the extensive utilization of mineral-based cutting fluids, which can harm our ecology and health. However, the insufficient cooling and lubrication competencies of these eco-friendly strategies have some limitations that restrict their implementation in large-scale industrial applications. High-temperature generation in dry environment is associated with rapid tool wear and deteriorated surface quality. MQL at a high cutting speed usually requires better cooling capability; nevertheless, the inefficient lubrication mechanism offered by cryogenic environment affects the metal cutting performance and increases the machining cost. In this regard, hybrid lubrication technique was introduced to utilize the combined benefits of Cryo and MQL strategies for curtailing the thermal�mechanical damage associated with the tool and workpiece material. This paper reviews literature on sustainable hybrid lubrication techniques under three main topics, i.e., (a) Cyo-MQL lubrication fundamentals, (b) active heat transfer mechanisms, and (c) machinability performance in different machining processes, which includes tool life, cutting force, surface roughness, and microstructure characterization. Three data basis Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Sciences have been used to select relevant research articles on hybrid lubrication techniques. It is summarized that utilization of hybrid lubrication technique in different machining processes cannot only create a sustainable workpiece environment but can also remarkably improve the surface quality and material characteristics along with extending tool life and reducing cutting force. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag London Ltd., part of Springer Nature 2024.