The darkness of winter is slipping away and bright, warm spring has arrived – and here is the perfect cocktail to toast it’s return!
It always seems winter is the longest season, but now warm weather, longer days, and the blooming of plants have arrived. Here are the best cocktails to welcome spring. Migrating birds return to their base and plants began to reemerge. And while the weather can be a bit wacky, the promise of a fun summer is right around the corner. Fun fact, more babies are born during spring. Many families gain an additional member during this period, making spring officially the season of babies. All this give multiple reasons to toast with something refreshing.
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Lemon Lavender Gin Rickey
Why not give a refreshing classic cocktail a spring twist by making it even more light and refreshing? The refreshing cocktail of gin, lime juice, and soda water, originated in Washington, D.C. in the late 1880s and was named after Democratic lobbyist Colonel Joe Rickey who frequented Shoemaker’s bar. The addition of lavender provides a little flair for the taste buds.
Ingredients
- 3 ounces gin
- 4 ounces freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 4 ounces seltzer water
- 2 sprigs lavender
- 2 wedges of lemon
Create
- Pour gin, lemon juice, and honey over ice in a cocktail shaker and shake well
- Strain into two glasses filled with ice
- Top with seltzer
- Garnish each glass with a sprig of lavender and a slice of lemon
The Desert Bird
You can hear the birds chirping as they emerge or return from winter. This sweet-yet-bitter drink celebrates the return with a treat for the mouth. You can use either mezcal or tequila for equal results. Or do a taste test.
Ingredients
- 1.5 ounces bacanora, mezcal, or tequila
- .75 ounces pineapple gum (or simple syrup mixed with equal parts pineapple juice)
- .50 ounces Campari
- .50 ounces fresh lime juice
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 sprig mint, for garnish
Create
- Combine all the ingredients together in a shaker
- Strain over ice into glass
- Serve with mint leaf
The Spring Bloom
With this cocktail, reflect the spring like atmosphere outside with a beverage in a glass. Combing the flavors of spring over ice with vodka will be a floral bouquet for your mouth!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 ounces vodka
- 3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 ounce honey syrup
- 3 ounces soda water
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary (for garnish)
- 1 pinch lavender salt (for garnish)
Create
- Combine vodka, lemon juice, honey syrup, and ice in a shaker
- Shake 30-40 seconds
- Strain the mixture into a glass with fresh ice
- Top off with soda water
- Give it a swirl with the sprig of fresh rosemary
- Finish with a pinch of lavender salt
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Kentucky Spire
While the Kentucky Derby is still a couple of months away, you can still celebrate with a good bourbon. This drinks adds a layering of flavors to allow you to kick back and take in the moment.
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz Bourbon
- 2 oz Lemonade
- 1 oz Cranberry Juice
- Lemon zest for garnish
Create
- Add ice to a lowball glass
- Add lemonade and cranberry juice and stir with spoon
- Add bourbon and stir until thoroughly mixed
- Garnish with a lemon zest
Sweet Tea Smash
This drink will give you a little extra energy to enjoy the longer evenings. Tea is the second most caffeinated drink after coffee, so use this for a pick up on enjoyable spring evenings.
Ingredients
- 1 oz bourbon
- 1 oz iced tea
- 4 Mint leaves
- 2 Lemon wedges
- 1 tsp simple syrup
- Mint sprig for garnish
Create
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle mint leaves and lemon wedges
- Add bourbon, tea, simple syrup, and ice to cocktail shaker
- Shake until chilled, roughly 20 seconds
- Strain into a chilled glass with fresh ice
- Garnish with a fresh mint sprig
