As the days grow longer and the air turns sweet with the scent of blooming flowers, there’s no better way to welcome spring than with a refreshing cocktail in hand. The season is all about renewal—warmer breezes, brighter colors, and ingredients that feel alive with flavor. Spring cocktails are lighter, crisper, and often bursting with garden-fresh herbs and ripe fruit, perfect for sipping on porches, patios, or during laid-back afternoon get-togethers.
To celebrate the season, we’ve put together three cocktails that capture the essence of spring in a glass. Each one is crafted to highlight the natural beauty and abundance this time of year brings. From juicy berries and fragrant herbs to floral liqueurs and citrusy brightness, these drinks are designed to be both visually stunning and delightfully refreshing.
The Strawberry Basil Smash is a vibrant, juicy blend of muddled strawberries and fresh basil, finished with a splash of club soda for a light, fizzy finish. It’s a perfect garden-party companion, easy to make and bursting with sweet, herbaceous notes. Meanwhile, the Elderflower Collins leans into the elegance of spring blooms with its floral St-Germain base, lemony tang, and sparkling lift—simple, beautiful, and endlessly sippable. And for something a little more sophisticated, the Cucumber Mint Gimlet brings a cooling, botanical twist to a classic favorite, with crisp cucumber juice and mint syrup giving the gin-based drink a spa-like freshness.
Whether you’re hosting a brunch, lounging in the sun, or just craving a little seasonal sparkle, these spring cocktails offer a perfect excuse to raise a glass to new beginnings.
Strawberry Basil Smash
Ingredients:
- 2 oz gin
- 3 fresh strawberries (hulled)
- 3 fresh basil leaves
- ½ oz lemon juice
- ½ oz simple syrup
- Club soda (to top)
- Ice
Instructions:
- In a shaker, muddle strawberries and basil with lemon juice and simple syrup.
- Add gin and fill with ice.
- Shake well and strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Top with club soda and garnish with a basil leaf and strawberry slice.
Elderflower Collins
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz vodka (or gin)
- 1 oz St-Germain elderflower liqueur
- ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
- ½ oz simple syrup
- Sparkling water (to top)
- Ice
Instructions:
- Fill a tall glass with ice.
- Add vodka, St-Germain, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
- Stir gently, then top with sparkling water.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel and edible flowers (like pansies or violets) for a springtime touch.
Cucumber Mint Gimlet
Ingredients:
- 2 oz gin
- ¾ oz fresh lime juice
- ½ oz cucumber juice (just muddle and strain cucumber)
- ½ oz mint simple syrup
- Ice
Instructions:
- Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.
- Shake until well chilled and strain into a chilled coupe glass.
- Garnish with a cucumber ribbon or a mint sprig.
