Five Delicious Spring Cocktails

posted in All on 2/15/2016

Spring is full of reasons to celebrate with Cinco de Mayo, the Kentucky Derby, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, graduations, and Father’s Day. Make your springtime celebrations extra festive — serve up refreshing springtime cocktails! Spring cocktails w/ seasonal ingredients rock.

White Sangria

White Sangria White sangria is a light alternative to traditional red sangria that is equally as delicious. White sangria is perfect for large parties because it can be made in advance of your event. Serve white sangria in a wine glass over ice garnished with a piece of fresh citrus. Ingredients (Recipe yields 32 servings): 1/2 cup peach schnapps 1/2 cup cognac 1/4 cup white sugar 4 oranges, sliced into rounds 2 green apples cut into cubes 2 mangos, peeled and sliced 4 (750 milliliter) bottles dry white wine, chilled. 1 liter ginger ale, chilled

Directions:
In a pitcher, combine peach schnapps, cognac, sugar, sliced oranges and sliced mangos. Chill for at least an hour. Add white wine and ginger ale to the mixture right before serving.

Grapefruit Margarita
A grapefruit margarita is a tart twist on a traditional tequila drink. This spring cocktail recipe is also figure friendly due to the low sugar content. That makes it ideal for a bridal shower. It is recommended that you serve this drink in a low-ball glass over ice.

Ingredients (Recipe yields 1 serving): 1 1/2 oz. of clear tequila 1 tablespoon of sugar or artificial sugar Juice of ½ a lime 3 oz. of fresh squeezed or store bought grapefruit juice ½ oz. of orange flavored liquor (just a splash) 1 oz. of club soda Directions: In an 8 oz. glass, combine tequila, sugar, lime juice, grapefruit juice, orange liquor, and club soda. Stir, then serve.

Strawberry Mojito
Strawberries are a sweet seasonal fruit that are a great addition to this spring drink recipe. Serve your strawberry mojito in a highball glass over ice garnished with a strawberry and fresh mint.

Ingredients (Recipe yields 1 serving): 1.5 ounces of simple syrup 3 fresh strawberries 4-5 fresh mint sprigs, roughly chopped 4 oz. of soda water Juice of 1/2 a lime 2 oz. of clear rum Directions: In a 10-12 oz. glass, muddle the simple syrup, mint, and strawberries together with a spoon or muddler. Add ice, rum, soda water, and lime juice. Stir well to combine.

Lemon Basil Martini

This cocktail is a light and refreshing twist on a traditional martini. A lemon basil martini is a great way to kick off any spring celebration! Serve in a chilled martini glass garnished with a lemon twist.

Ingredients: 3-4 large basil leaves, coarsely chopped 2-3 slices of lemon 1/2 oz. of simple syrup 3.5 oz. citron vodka Splash of orange flavored liquor Splash of Orange Juice Directions: In a cocktail shaker, muddle chopped basil leaves with 2-3 slices of lemon. Add 1/2 oz. of simple syrup, crushed ice, and shake vigorously. Strain mixture into a martini glass and serve. --------------

Mint Julep

This classic cocktail is famous for it's rich history with the Kentucky Derby. Find out what Derby-goes have known for a long time — mint juleps are a wonderful way to celebrate spring. Serve in a low-ball glass, over ice, and garnish with a mint leaf. (Recipe yields 1 serving).

Ingredients: 4 mint sprigs, rough chopped 2 ½ oz. bourdon whiskey 1 tablespoon of simple syrup 1 oz. of water Directions: In a low-ball glass, muddle the mint, simply syrup, and water together using a spoon or a muddler. Add the bourbon and fill the rest of the glass with crushed ice.