15 Sensational Spring Cocktails We Can’t Wait to Try
Looking for the perfect, refreshing drink for Spring? Whether you’re looking for delectable spring cocktails or mocktails, we’ve got everything to keep you nice and cool while taking advantage of the season’s fresh flavors.
Spring Cocktails with Floral Flavors
With warmer weather and the flowers in bloom, there’s nothing like some refreshing spring cocktails to kick off the season. Here are some of our top picks for spring cocktail recipes that have to try! Go all out and garnish your floral cocktails with edible flowers like lavender, pansies, marigolds, or peonies! It’ll make you feel fancier, trust me.
Elderflower Old-Fashioned
Elderberry has had its moment to shine recently, especially with the rising popularity due to its homeopathic medicinal qualities. But elderflower has the same great taste with a floral twist! Combine 1 oz of elderflower liqueur, 2 dashes angostura bitters, 2 ounces rye or bourbon, and an orange twist for garnish!
Lavender Rose Lemon Drop Cocktail
You get the best of both worlds with this tasty cocktail: floral and fruity! Into a cocktail shaker, add 1/2 oz of fresh lemon juice, 2 oz of citrus vodka, 2-1/2 oz rose-flavored lemonade, and ice. Secure the lid on the cocktail shaker and shake vigorously. Pour 1/2 oz of lavender simple syrup into the bottom of a rocks glass and fill with ice. Strain the cocktail over the ice, then garnish with a stemmed lavender rose.
Hibiscus Champagne Cocktail
Hibiscus is one of my mother’s favorite flowers, and I don’t blame her. Unrelated, but it’s also one of my dog’s favorite snacks! We often catch him sheepishly biting off the buds when he thinks nobody’s looking! For this cocktail, pour chilled champagne into flutes. Prosecco or sparkling wine works, too! Add 1 tsp of hibiscus simple syrup to each champagne flute and garnish with a hibiscus flower!
Lavender Lemon Sparkler
Place ice in a cocktail mixer or glass, then add 4-tablespoons of lavender simple syrup, 4 oz vodka, fresh lemon juice from 2 lemons, and 2 Tbsp of honey. Stir vigorously until combined and chilled. Strain into two glasses, stir in 4-ounces soda water to each and add more ice if desired. Yum!
Fruity Flavored Spring Cocktails
The arrival of Spring means the re-emergence of fresh, fruity flavors. Here are some of our favorite spring cocktails, many of them made with fresh fruit juice.
Orange Blossom
Combine 1 oz orange juice, 1 oz gin, 1 oz sweet vermouth, and an orange slice for garnish, and you have an easy-peasy spring cocktail!
Blackberry Cucumber Mint Gin Spritzer
Start by making a cucumber mint simple syrup. Place 1/4 cup of blackberries and 1 tsp lemon juice in a cup and muddle. Mix in about 5 teaspoons of the cucumber mint simple syrup into the mashed berries. Next, mix in 2 oz of gin and fill the glass with ice. Top drink off with about 3 oz of water and gently mix everything with a spoon. Garnish with mint, and enjoy!
Tom Collins
Sure, we’ve all enjoyed a cocktail out of a Collins glass, but have you ever actually had the original Tom Collins cocktail? They’re surprisingly simple and tasty! Add 2 oz of London dry gin, 1 oz freshly-squeezed lemon juice, and 1/2 oz of simple syrup to a Collins glass and stir. Garnish with a lemon wheel and a maraschino cherry, and you have the perfect spring drink! Feel free to use any flavored syrups you’d like, too!
Aperol Spritz
There’s nothing quite like an Aperol Spritz. Frankly, I could drink them any time of the year. They taste like summertime in Italy and look like a golden orange sunset. Add ice to a wine glass until it is nearly full. Pour in 3 oz Aperol and 3 oz Prosecco. Top your drink off with a splash of club soda and add a slice of orange for garnish. Enjoy!
Tropical Green Tea Sangria
This drink is perfect for a spring brunch or any occasion when you need to serve a crowd! In a punch bowl or pitcher, combine 1 -2 bottles of sparkling dry white wine, 1½ cups of orange juice, 1½ cups of pineapple juice, 1½ cups of Green Tea, and 1/4- ½ cup of ginger syrup. Serve this sweet cocktail cold with frozen peaches and pineapple to keep it chilled without getting watered down.
Frozen Strawberry Margarita
Fresh strawberries are one of the sure signs that Spring is in the air, so be sure to take advantage of this seasonal produce! In a blender, combine 3 ounces of tequila, 3 ounces (6 tablespoons) Cointreau, 2 ounces of fresh lime juice, 1½ cups frozen whole strawberries (fresh work too!), 1 tablespoon of simple syrup, and 1 cup of ice. Blend until smooth, then serve in a salt-rimmed glass. On the rim, garnish with fresh sliced strawberries or a lime wedge.
Spring Mocktails
Has “Dry January” been extended through Spring? Do the kids want something fun and sweet to sip on after playing outside? These spring mocktails have all of the flavors with none of the alcohol!
Blackberry Lemon Mocktail
Blackberry and lemon are an unexpected match made in heaven. Start by making a simple syrup with 1/2 cup of fresh blackberries (smashed), 1/4 cup of sugar, 1 cup of water, and 1/2 cup of pre-made lemonade. After it’s simmered on the stove, for about 10 minutes, strain the mixture and add the juice from one lemon and refrigerate until cooled. Then, pour the liquid evenly among 4 glasses filled with ice cubes. Add seltzer until the glass is full, then garnish with lemon slices, mint, and extra blackberries.
Italian Cream Soda
I used to drink these growing up as a special treat whenever I saw them on the menu. They’re not really Italian, only named so as the combination of sparkling water and flavored syrup made by an Italian syrup company was a hit. Surprisingly, it has only three simple ingredients. Start by placing ice cubes in a large glass. Then pour 2 Tbsp of a flavored syrup of your choice, 3/4 cup of sparkling water, and 2 Tbsp of half-and-half into the cup. Top it with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry. Most importantly, enjoy feeling like an old-timey movie star sitting at the counter of an ice cream shop as you sip it!
Virgin Piña Colada
If you like getting caught in the rain, you may just need to escape to the tropics with a non-alcoholic version of this classic. In a blender, combine 1 cup pineapple juice, 1 cup canned coconut milk, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream, 1 tsp of vanilla extract, and 8 cups of ice. Blend until smooth, add to a cocktail glass, and don’t forget to serve with a cocktail umbrella for some pizzazz.
Sparkling Cucumber Limeade
Cucumber and lime are two of the freshest, springy flavors you can find, so they definitely deserve their own moment to shine in a fresh mocktail. Start by making a mint-lime simple syrup on the stove with 1 cup of sugar, 1 Tbsp lime zest, 1/4 cup of fresh mint leaves, and 1 cup of water. After straining the syrup, combine the syrup with 1 cup of lime juice and 1 medium English cucumber (halved and thinly sliced). Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. When ready to serve, add 2 cups of chilled sparkling water. Serve over ice, and enjoy!
Virgin Grapefruit Mojito
Okay, let’s call it a “fauxhito.” Muddle 1 tsp cane sugar, 4 mint leaves, and lime slice in the bottom of a glass until the sugar has completely dissolved. Add 1/4 cup of fresh grapefruit juice and stir together. Top the glasses with sparkling water or club soda and crushed ice cubes. Garnish with a few sprigs of mint leaves and a blood-orange grapefruit slice.
Shirley Temple
Who could forget this kick-back classic? Legend says this was named after the tap-dancing starlet for her to sip on at fancy Hollywood soirees (even though it was a bit too sweet for her own taste). If you’re looking for a sweet treat sans alcohol, this is definitely a must. Fill a glass with ice, then add 1 cup of lemon-lime soda, 1 Tbsp of lime juice, and 1 Tbsp of grenadine. Be sure to garnish with maraschino cherries, too!
Spring Cocktails and Mocktails for any Occasion
Whether you’re planning a spring picnic or just relaxing in the backyard with friends, spring cocktails make everything a little bit brighter. Which one of these will be your new favorite cocktail (or mocktail)?
