Everyone is ready to celebrate once that warmer weather rolls up. Just the fact that you can hang up your coat for the rest of the year is surely cause for celebration, though there are plenty of holidays and events that happen in spring that could do with a cocktail or two.
Check out these sublime spring drinks to serve at your next shindig!
1. White Sangria
It’s a lighter twist to the original red sangria, yet no less delicious. It’s also easy to make in advance. Get out your best pitcher and add a half-cup of peach schnapps, a half cup of cognac, a quarter cup of white sugar, 4 sliced oranges, 2 cubed green apples, and 2 peeled and sliced mangos. You can chill it overnight to have a worry-free party-prep or you can make it the day of, as long as you allow at least an hour for chilling. Just before serving add 4 bottles of chilled dry white wine and 1 liter of chilled ginger ale.
2. Strawberry Mojito
Spring-fresh strawberries are a great way to make the already-awesome mojito even better. For best results, you’ll want this in a highball glass. Muddle 1.5 ounces of simple syrup, 5 roughly-chopped fresh sprigs of mint, and 3 fresh strawberries together. Then add 2 ounces of white rum, 4 ounces of soda water and the juice of half a lime. Fill with ice and stir well before serving.
3. Lemon Basil Martini
A spring-twist on a classic cocktail, lemon and basil are a match made in heaven. This one tastes even better when you serve it in a chilled martini glass. Using your cocktail shaker, muddle together 4 coarsely-chopped fresh basil leaves with 3 slices of lemon. Then add a half-ounce of simple syrup and crushed ice with 3.5 ounces of citron vodka, a splash of orange liqueur, and a splash of orange juice. Shake well and strain into that chilled martini glass with a lemon twist for a garnish.
4. Spring Blossom
This drink was made for spring! Add 2 ounces of gin, 1 ounce of rose liqueur, and 1 ounce of strawberry liqueur to your cocktail shaker. Give it a good shake, then strain it into a rocks glass filled with ice. A slice of cucumber makes a gorgeous garnish. If you want to sweeten things up, you can add a little agave nectar to suit your tastes.
5. Mezcal Mule
Mezcal is the spirit du jour, now among the elite. Unlike tequila, this smoky, spicy liquor is meant to be sipped and enjoyed. Using a copper mug, add 2 ounces of good mezcal with 1.5 ounces of ginger beer, fresh-squeezed juice from half a lime, and ¾ ounce of simple syrup. Stir it well and add a lime wheel for a garnish.
6. Lemon Basil Punch
And finally, if you need something sans alcohol, take a large pitcher and muddle together one cup of fresh chopped basil leaves and a quarter cup of sugar. Add 3 cups of prepared lemonade and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Fill the rest of the way with 3 cups of seltzer and top with ice. Add slices of lemon for a beautiful touch!