6 Creative Cocktails To Welcome Spring

04.03.2024 - 18:29 / forbes.com

The weather is starting to get warmer and a great way to welcome springtime is with a creative cocktail. Whether you and your guests prefer a flavored vodka, a tasty bourbon or an Irish gin, you can create an interesting beverage to enjoy al fresco. Below are six fun cocktails that will show off your mixology skills and make you everyone’s favorite host.

Cranberry and Sloe Gin Martini

Distilled off the Atlantic coastline, this Irish gin is a juniper-based, citrus forward gin. For a refreshing afternoon cocktail enjoy this tasty martini. You will need:

2 oz. Minke Irish Gin

.5 oz. Sloe Gin

.5 oz. Freshly squeezed lime or lemon juice

1 teaspoon Cranberry Jelly

Directions: Add all ingredients to an ice-filled shaker and shake until the shaker is cold. Strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with a slice of lemon and a few fresh cranberries.

Bottega Lemoncino Spritz

If you are dreaming of a Springtime visit to the Italian coast, the next best thing may just be this lemoncino treat. Stock your drinks tray with the following:

1oz Bottega Limoncino

0.5 oz. Aperol

0.5 oz. Lime Juice

4 oz. Bottega Platinum Moscato

Directions: Combine all ingredients in shaker on ice. Stir to combine. Strain over fresh ice in balloon glass. Garnish with orange or lemon wedge.

Ballotin Peach Bourbon Smash

This bourbon combines notes of chocolate and rich buttercream which are enhanced with toasted oak to create a decadent taste sensation. Show off your bartending skills by stocking up on these ingredients:

.2 oz. brown sugar simple syrup

½ large peach, diced (about ½ cup)

3-4 large mint leaves

2 oz. of Ballotin Bourbon Ball

Splash of ginger beer (preferred) or seltzer water, fresh mint and peach slices for garnish

Directions: Add peaches, mint leaves, and simple syrup to the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Gently muddle to release the peach juices and mint oils. Add Ballotin Bourbon Ball, fill the shaker with ice, and shake until well-chilled. Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice. Top with ginger beer or seltzer water. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs and a peach slice.

Spring Has Sprung

If you are a fan of flavored vodkas, this drink is for you. Jeptha Creed has a large assortment of vodkas and the blueberry one is always a party favorite. For this Springtime drink, you will need:

1 1/2 oz. Jeptha Creed Original Vodka

1/2 oz .Jeptha Creed Blueberry Vodka

2 oz. Pineapple Juice

1/4 oz. Raspberry Liqueur

Lemon Peel

Directions: Combine Jeptha Creed Vodka, Jeptha Creed Blueberry Vodka, Pineapple Juice and Raspberry Liqueur in a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously. Strain over ice in a chill martini glass. Garnish with lemon peel twist. Serve.

El Floridita

Get ready for all your favorite beachy activities with this