Ah, spring. That weird in-between season where it’s not warm enough for the beach, but you still feel brave enough to go outside without a parka, scarf, and Carhartt beanie. So send Frosty off for a final cheers with one of these refreshing spring cocktails.
This season we’re serving up beverages that feature bright, fresh flavors. We’re talking about juicy strawberries, herbaceous lavender, citrusy oranges, and “we just can’t wait until summer” watermelons.
Drop in some of your favorite liquor, and you’ll get fruity mojitos that’ll have you asking for mo, mo, mo, and spiked lemonades for when life gives you those pesky lemons. These spring drinks are just what you need to greet the sunshine. And your in laws who are overstaying their welcome.
Spring Break is a week, Eddie. Not two.
We’ve curated this list of spring cocktails to include subtle spins on the classics, as well as craft concoctions that’ll make you the talk of the town. Or at least your house. Your cat will definitely be impressed with your mixology skills.
20 Spring Cocktails That’ll Get You Ready for Warmer Weather
1. Mason Jar Strawberry Rhubarb Margaritas
You couldn’t keep us away from these strawberry rhubarb margaritas even if you had strawberry rhu-barbed wire. Made with strawberries, orange juice, lime juice, triple sec, and – you guessed it – tequila, it’s easy to make this punch ahead of time.
Unlike croissants, which apparently take longer to make than Pillsbury rolls. Who knew?
2. Coconut Mint Green Tea Mocktail
A mocktail? On a list of spring cocktails? You must think we’re coconuts! But for those of us who are extending Dry January another handful of months, years, or lifetime, this coconut mint green tea mocktail made with everything that’s in the name is the perfect spring sip.
And for the rest of us, well, there’s no rule that says you can’t put a little gin in this.
3. Meyer Lemon Margarita
All you need are a few Meyer lemons with their sweet and slightly floral flavor profile, blanco tequila, and some simple syrup for this Meyer lemon margarita. You may be asking, “Can’t I just use any old lemon?” Sure, but it’s a bit like replacing Thor with the third Hemsworth brother.
Nothing wrong with him, but you’re probably still going to be a little disappointed. Sorry, Luke!
4. Lavender Martini Cocktail
This vibrant purple lavender martini cocktail, made with gin and champagne, is giving us major “Alice in Wonderland” vibes. Spring cocktails that are this wonderful are bound to make even the Cheshire Cat smile. We’re all drunk here!
5. Peach Frosé
To paraphrase the great Willy Shakespeare, “Rosé by any other name would taste as sweet.” Which is why this frosé is just as delightful as your favorite bottle of rosé.
Except this spring recipe is even better, because it also has vodka and frozen peaches mixed in. Go ahead, tell your doctor you’re getting in all your fruit servings for the day.
6. Amalfi Martini Limoncello
When life gives you lemons, channel your inner Nonna and make some limoncello. This lemon-flavored liqueur makes for one delicious martini. This recipe uses gin, but you can swap that for vodka if you prefer. Or if it’s what you have on hand. And especially if it’s what Nonna prefers.
7. St. Germain Elderflower Spritz
They say to respect your elders. And while that can sometimes be up for debate, we’d never pass up the chance to show some respect to the elderflower with this St. Germain elderflower spritz. All it takes is a little St. Germain, lemon juice, and sparkling white wine, and you’ll be the most respectful person in town.
8. Sparkling Tuscan Lemonade Cocktail
According to the rules of “Under the Tuscan Sun,” the best way to get over an ex is to get with a man named Marcello. We can’t offer you any Marcello, but we can offer you this sparkling Tuscan lemonade cocktail. And that’s almost as good, right?
It’s made with lemon juice, vodka, club soda, and an award-winning lemon herb simple syrup. Okay, we made up the award, but we know it would at least get a participation trophy in a contest for the best spring cocktails.
9. Gin Basil Smash
How did basil get into a gin cocktail? Well, before you call this little herb a pest-o, you should give this gin basil smash a shot. Made with lemon juice, gin, simple syrup, and basil leaves, this is a delightful, citrusy Italian drink.
It’s about thyme you broaden your horizons, don’t you think?
10. Plum Bellini Cocktail
Plum bellini? More like, “plums, get in my belly!” Okay, maybe we’ve had a few of these bad boys already. But this bubbly prosecco cocktail is just what you need for a spring brunch with the girls. Sure, Carol, your husband can join this one time.
11. Watermelon Mojito
Made with white rum, this watermelon mojito is a minty, melony delight. And it’s super quick to make: muddle up some watermelon, smash up the mint, add in the rum, lime juice, and sweetener, and top it all off with club soda or tonic water. Oh, and then drink it.
After this drink, you’ll wholeheartedly believe that watermelon and mint were truly mint to be. Extra points if it’s seedless.
12. Spicy Paloma
If the words “brown sugar jalapeno simple syrup” don’t immediately make you start sweating, this spicy paloma recipe is for you. And if you are sweating and still want to try it, you’re a brave soul who hopefully has a glass of milk on hand.
As for us, we’re sweating like a $5 bottle of Trader Joe’s white wine you forgot you took out of the fridge 10 minutes ago.
13. Easy Strawberry Daiquiri
What’s the best way to make us want to do something? Put the word “easy” in front of it. Easy HIIT workout? We’ll do it. Easy strawberry daiquiri? We’ll make it. Easy proletariat revolution? We’ll start it. You say easy is lazy; we say it’s just working smarter.
This little diddy is made with frozen strawberries, some lime juice, simple syrup, and rum. Or, no rum! Then you have yourself an easy virgin strawberry daiquiri, or a very fancy name for a strawberry smoothie.
14. Tropical Sangria
Sangria comes from the word “bleeding” in Spanish, which makes sense because most are made with red wine. But this tropical sangria is made with white wine…and a casual five other types of alcohol.. So consider this sangria a mix of White Walker and Tyrion Lannister blood. Drink it, know things, and walk really, really slowly.
15. Rossini Cocktail
Bellini, meet your cousin, the rossini. Unlike the former, this creation is made with strawberries, not peaches.
But it’s similar in that it’s a refreshing brunch beverage, and also named for an Italian opera composer. Probably because nothing convinces you that you can sing opera like alcohol can. We promise you, though, you’re not hitting that high note. And you’re the reason dogs are outside the restaurant window.
16. Vodka Sunrise
Spring might not be beach weather, but who says you can’t bring a beachy paradise to you? This vodka sunrise – which is made with grenadine, orange juice, and vodka – looks like you’re watching the sun rise over Cabo. Except you didn’t have to fly next to a screaming baby to get there, so you’re really coming out ahead.
17. Giggle Juice Cocktail
What makes a giggle juice cocktail? According to this recipe, Moscato, pink lemonade, vodka, Sprite, and some sliced strawberries for good measure. The sweet concoction is sure to have you laughing so hard you’ll think you were watching “Don’t Worry Darling.” Wait, was that not supposed to be a comedy?
18. Strawberry Sour
Strawberry and wine is so last year. But strawberry and bourbon? Now that’s where it’s at. This strawberry sour is sure to make you pucker up, buttercup. So try to avoid that one person who’s always taking candid crowd photos.
This recipe walks you through making your own homemade sour mix with lime juice, lemon juice, and simple syrup. But, you can always buy the store bought stuff if you’re in a pinch. Or feeling lazy. Or just feeling a strong desire to support consumerism. (No judgment.)
19. Lemon-Lime Wine Spritzer
Lemon and lime is the best combination. Lemon-lime Sprite? The best soda. Lemon-lime jelly bean? The best jelly bean. Lemon lime coffee…okay, so there’s a limit. But you’ll find with this lemon-lime wine spritzer that lemon-lime cocktails are also the best cocktails.
Orange you glad we’re done saying lemon-lime?
20. Spiced Orange Gin Spritz
You might have to raid a spice cabinet to make this drink, but it’s totally worth it for those spring days that feel like winter has come back with a vengeance. Cinnamon, allspice, vanilla, black tea, and orange give off some major Christmas vibes, but who says you can’t bring a taste of the holidays into spring?
Add in the gin and this cocktail will have you ho-ho-holding out for 80-degree weather just a little bit longer.
She's also a published short story author who has appeared in anthologies like A Murder of Storytellers and the Abstract Elephant. Jacqueline challenges herself to learn one new skill per year, so you can often find her struggling to master crocheting, knitting, and embroidery when she's not writing.
Connect with her on her website or LinkedIn.
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