What better time is there to upgrade your bartending skills? The current pandemic has us all in our homes rather than out and about, which for one thing, means we don’t get to sip on our favorite restaurant’s margaritas or sangrias. If you still want to imbibe something tasty, check out some of these best cocktail creations for spring! Whip out all the bartending tools you have, and get started on making your own delicious concoction—you won’t regret it!
Arancia Spritz
The perfect drink for a backyard picnic, the Arancia Spritz is refreshing, light, and has the beautiful hint of a fruit-forward Pinot Noir Rosé that’ll pair well with whatever picnic food you choose.
Ingredients
- .5 ounces Bombay Sapphire
- .5 ounces Aperol
- 2 ounces Pinot Noir Rosé
- 1.5 ounces soda water
- Rosemary sprig
Directions
Mix all of the ingredients together over ice in a large wine glass, and add the rosemary sprig as a garnish.
Classic or Fruity Mojitos
The refreshing spring cocktail you’ve been waiting for, mojitos are a fantastic choice to delve into warm weather. Stick with a classic or spruce it up with a grapefruit mint mojito.
Ingredients
- Simple syrup
- 10 sprigs fresh mint
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 ounce white rum
- 1 ounce fresh grapefruit juice
- 2 ounces sparkling water
Directions
Add mint sprigs and lime juice to the bottom of a glass and muddle together to bring out the flavor. Top each glass with ice and then pour in the rum and grapefruit juice. Stir it all together, and top off the glass with some sparkling water!
Lilac Shandy
For all you beer lovers that want a spring twist, this Lilac Shandy is the perfect choice for a sunny, 60-degree day. Make some homemade lilac simple syrup, add it to lemonade, and then add that to beer—it’s the perfect sweet treat!
Ingredients
For Lilac Simple Syrup:
- 2 cups white sugar
- 2 cups water
- 4 cups lilac florets
For Lilac Lemonade:
- 1 cup lilac simple syrup
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 cups distilled water
For the Lilac Shandy:
- 6 ounces light beer
- 6 ounces lilac lemonade
- Garnish: 1 slice lemon
Learn more about how to make this treat, here!
Strawberry Chamomile Paloma
Get your tequila fix with this delicious strawberry chamomile Paloma. If you need a drink to calm down after a stressful day—or if you’re just craving some strawberries and tequila—this is definitely your best bet.
Ingredients
For Chamomile Honey Syrup:
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1-2 chamomile bags
For the Drinks:
- 3 ounces fresh grapefruit juice (about half of 1 grapefruit)
- 2-4 tablespoons chamomile honey syrup (to taste)
- 2 ounces tequila
- 4 fresh strawberries, sliced
- sparkling water for topping off
Directions
Combine the honey and water together in a small saucepan and bring it to boil. Then add the chamomile tea bags and steep for five to ten minutes. Let the mixture cool and store it in the fridge. Once that’s cool, add the grapefruit juice, chamomile honey syrup, tequila, and strawberries to a glass. Muddle the strawberries a bit to release flavor and then add ice. Top off with sparkling water and enjoy.
Make sure that even though you’re drinking at home, you’re still drinking responsibly. Your body will probably react to alcohol a bit differently now that your whole schedule has flipped around. Understand how alcohol affects your body, and don’t overdo it!