Refreshing Spring Cocktails To Welcome The Season

Blooming flowers, lighter evenings, hold on, is that the sun we, see? Oh, spring, how we've missed you. As much as we love sipping on hot toddies and mulled wines, after months of doing so, at this point, a cocktail switch-up is needed. And as the weather gets warmer, so does the need for delicious, colourful cocktails that taste like spring. It's the perfect time to experiment with new flavours and cocktail creations. We have carefully curated 7 spring cocktails to say goodbye to the end of what feels like the longest winter ever. From tequila to Baileys, to gin and vodka cocktails, we've got some truly mouth-watering spring-inspired drinks in store for you this season. Get ready to sip into spring...

Must-Try Spring Cocktails For You

1. But First, Espresso Martinis

Ah, Espresso Martinis. We love them. Admittedly, you can enjoy this cocktail during any season. Still, we've included it in this roundup because it’s perfect for sipping on spring nights when the weather drops. Also, Espresso Martinis are a great after-dinner drink if you aren't fancying a big dessert. The cocktail recipe is absolutely an easy mix and a real crowd-pleaser for pretty much any occasion.

Espresso Martini ingredients:
- 45ml Ketel One vodka 
- 45ml cold brew coffee or fresh espresso chilled 
- 15ml 1:1 simple syrup (stir 1-part white sugar by weight to 1 part water, stir until sugar is dissolved, and store in the fridge)
- Ice
- 3 coffee beans or cocoa powder for garnish

Method:
- Add all ingredients into a cocktail shaker and then fill with ice (this way the ingredients won't splash you if you put the ice in first!)
- Give it a good shake for 5-7 seconds. The more you shake, the more foam you get, giving you that velvety froth when you pour it into your glass
- Pour the shaker contents through a cocktail strainer into a chilled cocktail glass
- Garnish with the coffee beans or a dusting of cocoa powder

2. Tasty Spring Vodka Cocktails To Serve

So, we know the classic martini is part gin, part dry vermouth, but what about the Vodka Martini? It's a simple take on the classic martini, made with just two ingredients, vodka and vermouth, plus a garnish. It's worth mentioning that creating the perfect vodka martini largely depends on individual taste. As we approach the strawberry season, why not try a delicious twist by adding them to your cocktail? You can muddle fresh strawberries with vodka, lemon juice, and simple syrup for a fruity and delicious martini twist. Or try mixing vodka with coconut water, lime juice, and a splash of soda water for a longer tropical concoction. Other easy spring cocktail recipes to try are a Dirty Martini and a French 21.

Vodka Martini ingredients:
- 50ml Ketel One Vodka
- 15ml Belsazar Dry Vermouth
- Ice
- 1 dash of orange bitters or a twist of lemon for garnish

Method:
- Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice and stir for 20 rotations (about 30 seconds) until it's well chilled and diluted
- Strain neatly into a chilled martini or cocktail glass
- Garnish with a dash of bitters or a twist of lemon

3. Gin Cocktails To Make In Minutes

It's fresh. It's full of flavour. It's delicious. Spring is the season for gin-sipping, and a Gin and Tonic is always a vibe. The tinkle of ice. The aroma of the fresh-cut lime and the bittersweet taste of that first sip. No spring cocktail menu is complete without a Gin and Tonic. So, what’s the secret to a great G&T? It's not just the gin, it's also about the amount of ice. You'll need lots of ice because less ice will melt much faster and end up diluting your drink so where possible get big ice cubes. If G&Ts aren’t your vibe, try other gin cocktails like Gin Slings or Tom Collins or Gin Mojitos are guaranteed crowd-pleasers.
 
Tip: Level up your Gin and Tonic by adding a squeeze of fresh blood orange juice and a sprig of rosemary. Serve over ice with a slice of blood orange.
 
Gin and Tonic ingredients:
- 150ml Tanqueray Nº Ten
- 150ml tonic water (regular or flavoured)
- Ice
- 2 lime or grapefruit wedges

Method:
- Fill a frozen Copa glass with gin and ice cubes (the larger the cubes the better!) 
- Squeeze in one of the fruit wedges and add the tonic. 
- Squeeze in the second wedge and briefly stir

4. Make mine a French 75

Next is the French 75 – a classic cocktail always in style. It's such a delicious sip, perfect for celebrating the springtime vibes thanks to the combination of gin, lemon juice, and champagne. The beauty of this drink is that it has that elegant feel that can sort of make you feel like you're sipping on a cocktail in a fancy restaurant in Paris rather than sitting on the sofa at home. We also love how easy the cocktail recipe is, with just a few simple ingredients! Plus its bright citrus taste is a perfect way to celebrate Spring's arrival. If you’re not a fan of the French 75, try mixing up a Gimlet which swaps out the French 75's champagne and lemon for a zesty hit of lime instead.
 
Tip: Though you can skip it if you like, the French 75 is usually served over ice. And try an elderflower liqueur for a floral spin. The garnish is also optional, but we love to garnish around here, so we'll always recommend one.

French 75 ingredients:
- 5ml London Dry Gin
- 10ml lemon juice
- 5ml sugar syrup
- Champagne to top the glass
- Ice
- A twisted lemon peel for garnish

Method:
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes
- Using a jigger, measure 25ml London Dry Gin, 10ml lemon juice and 5ml sugar syrup into the shaker
- Shake the mixture vigorously until the surface of the cocktail shaker feels chilled
- Use a cocktail strainer to strain into a champagne flute and top up with champagne
- With a sharp knife and chopping board, cut a strip of lemon peel and twist it onto the rim of the glass to garnish

5. No Hour Is Better Than Whisky Hour

Whisky Sour has entered the chat. This cocktail is an absolute classic. And when complemented with the sweetness of the whisky and a touch of simple syrup, there’s nothing better. It's also really easy to recreate, serve and sip, making it such a great drink for celebrating those special moments with your favourite people. As the Spring evenings draw in but you want the party to stay outside, a sip of a Whisky Sour will help keep you warm from within. Want to change up the flavour? Try adding different flavoured syrups to create your own unique whisky sour cocktail recipe! 

Whisky Sour ingredients:
- 50ml Bourbon
- 25ml Lemon Juice
- 10ml sugar syrup
- 1 dash of Angostura bitters
- The white from one egg or Mrs Better's Bitters Miraculous Foamer for a vegan alternative
- Ice
- 1 lemon wedge for garnish

Method:
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes
- Use a jigger to measure 50ml bourbon, 25ml lemon juice, 10ml sugar syrup and a dash of Angostura bitters into the shaker
- Shake the mixture vigorously until the surface of the cocktail shaker feels chilled
- Using a cocktail strainer, strain it into a cocktail glass

6. Did someone say tequila?

Tequila lovers, rejoice. The classic Margarita has made the list of our top spring cocktails. The secret to a great margarita is its simplicity. And the cocktail recipe is deliciously easy to make. All you need is tequila, liqueur and lime juice. Try mixing things up by using fresh blood orange juice instead of lime for a fruity and sweet cocktail that looks like spring in a glass. Other easy tequila sips to try are the Paloma or Tequila Batanga.

Tip: If you want to make drinks for sharing, then a blender is your best friend at home. Get creative with the fun flavours of your choice. Tequila can hold up against fruity, spicy and herbal flavours so don’t be scared to put your twist on things.

Margarita ingredients:
- 150ml Don Julio Blanco Tequila
- 20ml orange liqueur
- 5ml simple syrup or agave syrup
- 25ml lime juice
- Ice
- A lime wedge and salt for garnish

Method:
- Wet half the rim of your glass with lime juice, then turn the glass upside down to place the rim into a bowl of salt to achieve a half-salt rim
- Fill a cocktail shaker with cubed ice
- Use a jigger to measure 20ml Orange Liqueur, 50ml Tequila and 25ml lime juice and add to the shaker along with 5ml of simple syrup or agave syrup 
- Shake until chilled
- Using a cocktail strainer, strain into your glass
- Add a lime wedge to garnish

7. It's Baileys Iced Frappé Season

If iced coffee is your love language, you'll love this cocktail. Step forward to the Baileys Iced Frappé – a satisfying drink for sipping on in spring. Whether you're having friends over for a casual catch-up or going for a stroll in the sun, the Bailey iced frappé is smooth, tasty and guaranteed to hit the spot. This cocktail also makes a great after-dinner drink when hosting.

Tip: Make your frappé one for the 'gram by grating chunks of dark chocolate directly over your drink.

Baileys Iced Frappé ingredients:
- 180ml Baileys Original Irish Cream Liqueur
- 80ml milk
- 1tbsp coffee
- Ice
- Chocolate shavings to garnish

Method:
- Using a jigger, measure 80ml Baileys Original Irish Cream Liqueur and 80ml milk, a cup of ice and 1tbsp brewed coffee into a blender
- Blend until the liquid is smooth enough to drink. 
- Pour into a tall glass
- Add the chocolate shavings and serve with a straw