30 Best Spring Cocktails to Sip in the Sunshine

As the weather shifts from cold to hot, our drink lineup flip-flops accordingly! And by that, we mean we’re trading in hot chocolate and steaming lattes for a chilled glass of lemonade or iced coffee. But let’s not stop at the sweet tea!

Why not embrace the season with some vibrant, refreshing spring cocktails? Raise your pinkies—and glasses—to floral martinis and fruity margaritas galore! Here, you’ll find lots of spirited drink suggestions ideal for any spring occasion—Easter brunch, Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day, and more!

You may like: 🍹 30 Summer Cocktails to Beat the Heat—Explore Now!

Bee’s Knees

Try this simple cocktail recipe and you’ll no longer question the name of the refreshing beverage. That’s because it really is the bee’s knees! Bright, balanced, and made with just three ingredients, it’s a very easy spring cocktail to shake together for a dinner party or happy hour any night of the week.

Gin, honey, and lemon juice are kitchen staples that you most likely have on hand. When shaken in a cocktail shaker with ice, these humble ingredients yield a drink that is herbaceous and fresh, balanced by perfect citrus sweetness!

• YIELDS: 1 serving(s)
• PREP TIME: 5 mins
• TOTAL TIME: 15 mins

Ingredients

FOR THE HONEY SYRUP:

• 1/4 c. honey
• 1/4 c. hot water

FOR THE COCKTAIL:

• 2 oz. gin
• 1 oz. honey syrup
• 1 oz. lemon juice
• Edible flowers or a lemon twist

Directions

1. For the honey syrup: In a liquid measuring cup, combine the honey and hot water. Whisk to combine. Set aside to cool to room temperature. Refrigerate until ready to use. 
2. For the cocktail: In a cocktail shaker, combine the gin, honey syrup, and lemon juice with ice. Cover and shake vigorously for about 10 seconds. Strain into a chilled coupe glass and serve with a lemon twist or edible flower.

Campari Spritz

It may not be summer spritz season yet, but we all need something to sip on during those sunny spring days! Made with a refreshing combination of Campari, prosecco, sparkling water, and orange juice, it’s a perfect blend of bittersweet flavors.

• YIELDS: 1 serving(s)
• PREP TIME: 5 mins
• TOTAL TIME: 5 mins

Ingredients

• 2 oz. Campari, chilled
• 1/2 oz. fresh orange juice
• 3 oz. prosecco, chilled
• 1 oz. sparkling water, chilled
• Orange wedge, to garnish
• Bing cherries, to garnish

Directions

1. Add the Campari and the orange juice to a glass and fill it with ice. Pour the prosecco and the sparkling water over the Campari and stir gently to combine. Garnish with an orange wedge and a cherry.

Tom Collins

Served in the famous, tall Collins glass named after it, this simple drink is perfectly citrusy and bubbly with an herbaceous note from the gin! Stir the four ingredients together right in your glass, then garnish with a lemon wheel and cherry!

One taste of this easy Tom Collins cocktail will confirm why it deserves its own special glass. While a drink like this is usually only entrusted to an experienced bartender, this simple cocktail recipe is made with just a handful of ingredients and easily stirred or shaken up at home in a cocktail shaker. The bubbly concoction yields a drink with a subtle citrusy sweetness paired with an herbaceous note from the gin. It’ll become your favorite gin cocktail after just one sip!

• YIELDS: 2 serving(s)
• PREP TIME: 5 mins
• TOTAL TIME: 5 mins

Ingredients

• 4 oz. gin, chilled
• 1 1/2 oz. lemon juice
• 1 1/2 oz. simple syrup
• Soda water
• Lemon wheel, to garnish
• Luxardo or maraschino cherry

Directions

1. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice cubes, add the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Cover and shake well, about 15 seconds.
2. Fill 2 highball or Collins glasses one-third full of ice. Divide the gin mixture between the glasses. Top with soda water and garnish with lemon wheels and cherries.

Lemon Drop Martini

Lemon lovers, get ready: this lemon drop martini is a cool glass of sweet-tart perfection! Born in the 1970s, this classic cocktail is perfect for any happy hour.  You can easily double or triple this martini recipe for a small crowd. Fans of lemon desserts will love this simple drink—it’s like lemon icebox pie with a kick. 

• YIELDS: 2 serving(s)
• PREP TIME: 5 mins
• TOTAL TIME:5 mins

Ingredients

• 4 oz. vodka
• 1 oz. triple sec
• 2 oz. fresh lemon juice
• 2 oz. simple syrup
• Granulated sugar, for garnish
• Lemon twists, for garnish

Directions

1. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway full with ice. Add the vodka, triple sec, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Seal the shaker and shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
2. Rub lemon slices around the rims of 2 coupes or martini glasses. Add sugar to a small plate; dip the rims of the glasses in sugar. Divide the vodka mixture between the two glasses. Garnish with lemon twists, if you like.

Dark and Stormy

When the season’s warm rain rolls in, pour yourself a tasty drink and enjoy the views. This delicious recipe involves a mix of spicy ginger beer, sweet rum, and tart lime.

• YIELDS: 1 serving(s)
• PREP TIME: 5 mins
• TOTAL TIME: 5 mins

Ingredients

• 3 oz. ginger beer 
• 1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
• 2 oz. dark rum, such as Gosling’s
• Lime wedges, for serving

Directions

1. Fill a tall glass with ice cubes.
2. Add the ginger beer and lime juice. Top with the rum. 
3. To serve, add a lime wedge to the glass. 

Peach Bellini

Nothing says spring quite like a bubbly cocktail packed with juicy fruit! The combo of prosecco and peach schnapps makes it the perfect sipper for brunch.

When juicy, ripe peaches start showing up at farmers’ markets, there’s never been a better time to grab some and blend up a batch of peach Bellinis! The perfect balance of sweet, tart, and bubbly, a peach Bellini is a great drink to enjoy on the porch, by the pool, or to blend up for guests for a brunch party!

• YIELDS: 6 serving(s)
• PREP TIME: 5 mins
• TOTAL TIME: 5 mins

Ingredients

• 1 lb. fresh or frozen sliced peaches, plus more for serving
• 1/4 c. fresh or frozen strawberries, plus more for serving
• 1/2 c. peach schnapps
• 1 bottle prosecco or sparkling white wine

Directions

1. Add the peaches, strawberries, and peach schnapps to the pitcher of a blender. Cover tightly with the lid, and blend at high speed until smooth.
2. Divide the peach mixture among 6 glasses. Garnish each glass with more peaches or strawberries, if you like. Fill each glass half full with prosecco; stir, and add more prosecco, if you like.

Appletini

Celebrate the world becoming lush and verdant with a green drink to match! An apple martini has the perfect mix of sweet and bold flavors.

An appletini (aka apple martini) is the perfect drink to have on deck for the next big party, because there are always guests who are on the hunt for something sweet and full of bold flavor! While its bold green hue makes it great for Halloween drink, this cocktail is a nice alternative to more plain olive or lemon martinis. It’s a fun start to the evening, followed by a chocolate martini for dessert!

• YIELDS: 2 serving(s)
• PREP TIME: 5 mins

Ingredients

• 4 oz. vodka
• 2 oz. apple schnapps, such as Sour Apple Pucker
• 1 oz. fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 oz. simple syrup
• Green apple slices, for garnish
• Maraschino cherries, for garnish

Directions

1. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway full with ice. Add vodka, apple schnapps, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Seal and shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
2. Divide mixture between two martini glasses; garnish with green apple slices and maraschino cherries, if you like.

Bay Breeze Cocktail

You may not be going on vacation this spring, but you can transport yourself to the beach with a tasty mix of cranberry juice, pineapple juice, and a splash of vodka. No cocktail shaker required!

• YIELDS: 2 serving(s)
• PREP TIME: 5 mins

Ingredients

• 4 oz. vodka
• 4 oz. pineapple juice
• 6 oz. cranberry juice
• Lime wheels, for garnish
• Pineapple wedges, for garnish

Directions

1. Fill two highball glasses with ice. Divide the vodka and pineapple juice evenly between glasses. Divide the cranberry juice between the glasses, stirring to combine. Top each glass with lime wheels and pineapple wedges, if you like.

Cadillac Margarita

Cadillac margaritas channel the luxury of classic cars by using top-shelf tequila and orange liqueur for a smooth-to-sip drink. The citrus flavor calls to mind sunny days and lounging in the yard.

• YIELDS: 2 serving(s)
• PREP TIME: 5 mins

Ingredients

• 3 oz. reposado tequila
• 3 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice
• 2 oz. orange liqueur, such as Cointreau or Grand Marnier
• 1/2 oz. agave nectar (optional)
• Sea salt, for glasses
• Lime and mandarin slices, for garnish

Directions

1. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway full with ice cubes. Add tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur, and agave, if using.
2. Sprinkle sea salt on a plate. Rub the rims of two margarita or cocktail glasses with a lime wedge or mandarin slice; dip the rims of the glasses into the salt, twisting to coat. Fill the glasses with ice.
3. Shake the cocktail shaker vigorously; pour the margarita mixture evenly into the two glasses. Serve with lime and/or mandarin slices, if you like.

Watermelon Margarita

There are few fruits as refreshing as watermelon. You’ll have everyone beginning for another one of these margs on the first warm days of spring!

• YIELDS: 4 serving(s)
• PREP TIME: 10 mins

Ingredients

• 4 c. cubed watermelon
• 8 oz. tequila blanco
• 1/3 c. lime juice
• 2 tbsp. simple syrup, optional
• 1/4 c. kosher salt
• 1 tsp. coarse sugar, like Sugar in the Raw
• 1 tsp. Tajin seasoning or chili powder
• 4 lime wedges
• Ice, for serving
• 4 Small watermelon wedges

Directions

1. Place the cubed watermelon in a blender. Blend just until it breaks down into a liquid, about 30 seconds. Strain through a fine mesh strainer and mix with the tequila and lime juice. Taste for sweetness and add simple syrup, if you like it sweeter.
2. On a small plate, combine the salt, sugar and Tajin seasoning. Run the lime wedges around the rims of 4 cocktail glasses. Dip the rims into the spiced salt mixture.
3. Fill the glasses with ice and the margarita mixture. Garnish with small wedges of watermelon and the lime wedges. 

Orange Crush Cocktail

For a sunny and refreshing cocktail, it’s hard to beat a classic orange crush! It’s not just a soda—we’re pleased to inform you that it’s also a deliciously simple cocktail that takes just minutes to make. If you’ve never met a mimosa bar you didn’t like, or if a tequila sunrise sounds perfect right about now, you’ll definitely love this on-the-rocks orange crush cocktail.

• YIELDS: 1 – 2 serving(s)
• PREP TIME: 5 mins

Ingredients

• 4 oranges (to yield about 1 cup fresh juice)
• 4 oz. orange-flavored vodka
• 2 oz. triple sec or other orange-flavored liqueur
• Lemon-lime or orange soda
• Orange slices, for garnish

Directions

1. Cut the oranges in half. Juice the oranges to yield about 1 cup of orange juice. Strain the juice to remove any pulp, if you like.
2. Add cubed or crushed ice to 2 pint glasses. Divide the vodka, triple sec, and orange juice evenly between the glasses. Top each drink with a splash of lemon-lime orange soda. Tuck an orange slice into each glass, if you like.

White Wine Spritzer

It’s fruity, refreshing, and easy to make—these spritzers would be so pretty for a bridal shower or spring brunch. Add a variety of white wines to an ice bucket, put out a platter of sliced fruit, and let your guests make their own!

• YIELDS: 2 serving(s)
• PREP TIME: 5 mins

Ingredients

FOR THE FRUITY ICE CUBES:

• Fresh blackberries
• Sliced strawberries

FOR THE SPRITZER:

• 12 fruity ice cubes
• 1 1/2 c. very cold white wine
• 1/2 c. sparkling water or club soda
• Lemon slices, for garnish
• Fresh mint sprigs, for garnish

Directions

1. To make the fruity ice cubes: Add blackberries and strawberries to the wells of two ice cube trays as desired. Add water until each well is three-fourths full. Freeze until solid, about 12 hours.
2. To make the spritzers: Divide the fruity ice cubes between two wine glasses. Divide the wine between the glasses, then top evenly with the sparkling water. Garnish each spritzer with lemon and mint, if you like.

Butterfly Martini

This gorgeous drink gets its floral flavor from elderflower liqueur, crème de violette, and hibiscus rose syrup. The edible flower on top is optional but it’s a nice springy touch.

YIELDS: 1 serving(s)

PREP TIME: 5 mins

Ingredients

• 2 oz. gin
• 1 oz. elderflower liqeur (such as St-Germain)
• 1/4 oz. crème de violette
• 1/4 oz. hibiscus rose syrup (such as Pink House Academy)
• 1/4 oz. simple syrup
• Edible orchid, for garnish

Directions

1. Combine the gin, elderflower liqueur, crème de violette, hibiscus rose syrup and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake for 20 seconds.
2. Strain the contents of the shaker in to a martini glass. Garnish with an orchid.

Sparkling Margarita

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in style with this bubbly twist on the classic margarita. It’s light, refreshing, and fun to drink.

• YIELDS: 2 serving(s)
• PREP TIME: 5 mins

Ingredients

• 1/4 c. salt
• 4 oz. lime juice
• 3 oz. tequila
• 2 oz. triple sec
• Ice
• Sparkling wine, such as prosecco or cava
• Lime wedges or slices, for garnish

Directions

1. Place the salt on a small plate. Place a splash of water on another small plate. Dip just the rims of two glasses in the water, then dip in the salt.
2. In a cocktail shaker, combine the lime juice, tequila, triple sec, and ice. Shake for 10-20 seconds to chill thoroughly, then strain into two glasses.
3. Top the glasses off with as much sparkling wine as you like and garnish with a lime wedge. Serve immediately.

Sidecar Cocktail

Made with cognac, orange liqueur, and lemon juice, a classic sidecar is an elegant and easy cocktail that will never go out of style. For the brightest and most refreshing results, fresh lemon juice is key. If you’d like to garnish with a lemon twist, zest the lemon before juicing it. 

This recipe comes together in five minutes or less and serves two, but it also makes an excellent batch cocktail for a party. You can double, triple, or quadruple the recipe and stir everything together in a pitcher. Store in the refrigerator, then just before serving, shake over ice before straining into glasses. 

• YIELDS: 2 serving(s)
• PREP TIME: 5 mins

Ingredients

• 1/4 c. granulated sugar
• 4 oz. cognac or bourbon 
• 2 oz. orange liquor, such as Cointreau or Triple Sec
• 1 1/2 oz. lemon juice
• Orange or lemon twist, for garnish

Directions

1. Place the granulated sugar on a plate. Dip just the rims of the glasses in water, then dip in the sugar.
2. In a cocktail shaker, combine the cognac, cointreau, lemon juice and ice. Shake for 10-20 seconds to chill thoroughly, then strain into two martini or coupe glasses. Garnish with an orange or lemon twist.

Mint Julep

Come May, you’ll want to watch the Kentucky Derby in style with a big hat and this classic cocktail in hand. Of course, you can always enjoy the fresh, minty drink throughout the season, too.

• YIELDS: 1 serving(s)
• PREP TIME: 3 mins

Ingredients

• 4 sprigs fresh mint
• 1/2 oz. simple syrup
• 2 1/2 oz. bourbon
• Crushed ice

Directions

1. Remove the leaves from one sprig of mint and place in a mint julep cup or rocks glass with the simple syrup. Using a wooden muddler, gently muddle to release the aroma and flavor of the mint leaves, about 20 seconds.
2. Add the bourbon to the glass, then fill with crushed ice. Stir well to combine, until the sides of the glass are icy, about 20 seconds.
3. Bundle the remaining three sprigs of mint together and slap them on the back of your hand. Stick the mint into the ice to create a mint bouquet on the side of your glass. Drink immediately!

Tip: Simple syrup is 1 part sugar + 1 part water, heated and stirred until the sugar dissolves, then chilled. If you don’t feel like making it, you can substitute 1 teaspoon granulated sugar. If you have superfine sugar, even better. It will dissolve much easier when muddled and stirred.

Red Sangria

Whether you’re hosting Easter brunch or just a backyard BBQ, you can’t go wrong with a make-ahead pitcher drink. It’s Ree Drummond’s choice for any warm-weather celebration.

• YIELDS: 6
• PREP TIME: 15 mins
• TOTAL TIME: 8 hrs 15 mins

Ingredients

• 1/2 c. brandy or fruit based liqueur
• 1 6 oz can pineapple juice
• 1 orange
• 1/2 c. sliced strawberries
• 1/2 green apple, cored and sliced
• 1 peach or nectarine, pitted and sliced
• 1 750 mL bottle red wine, chilled 

Directions

1. In a ½-gallon sized container, combine the brandy and pineapple juice. Stir very well to combine.
2. Halve the orange. Squeeze one half of the orange into the pitcher and slice the remaining half. Place the slices of oranges, strawberries, apples, and peaches into the container. Top with red wine and stir to combine. Chill 8 hours or overnight. Serve over ice, with a little bit of fruit in each glass.

If you like your sangria on the sweeter side, add 1/4 cup of honey, or maple or simple syrup with the brandy and pineapple juice. 

Strawberry Margarita

Make this pink twist on margaritas when fresh, sweet strawberries are in peak season. Then, garnish the glass with crushed freeze-dried strawberries for an extra burst of flavor.

• YIELDS: 12 serving(s)
• PREP TIME: 25 mins

Ingredients

• 1 qt. strawberries, hulled and quartered (about 4 cups) 
• 1/2 c. sugar
• Juice of 3 limes, plus lime wedges for garnish
• 2 c. silver tequila
• 1/2 c. triple sec
• 1 c. freeze-dried strawberries
• 1/4 c. kosher salt

Directions

1. Puree the fresh strawberries, sugar and lime juice in a blender until smooth, 2 to 3 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a large measuring cup or pitcher. Stir in the tequila and triple sec and refrigerate until ready to serve.
2. Just before serving, crush the freeze-dried strawberries in a resealable plastic bag using a rolling pin or heavy skillet. Mix the crushed strawberries with the salt in a small bowl and pour onto a shallow plate. Use a lime wedge to wet the rim of a glass, then dip the rim in the strawberry salt. Fill the glass with ice and pour in the margarita. Garnish with a lime wedge. Repeat to make more margaritas.

Frozen Lemonade

This frosty drink will get you excited for sunny days ahead. To turn it into a boozy cocktail, add your liquor of choice—vodka or tequila are both tasty options!

YIELDS: 3 – 4 serving(s)

PREP TIME: 5 mins

Ingredients

• 1/3 c. freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/3 c. granulated sugar
• 4 c. vanilla ice cream
• lemon slices, to garnish

Directions

1. In a small pitcher, combine the lemon juice and sugar. Stir very well to dissolve the sugar.  Add 1 cup water and ½ cup ice cubes. Stir well to chill the mixture. 
2. Add the vanilla ice cream to a blender with the lemonade mixture. Blend on high until very smooth. Pour into two glasses and garnish with a lemon slice.

Strawberry Sangria

Sangria can be prepared in so many ways—from red to white to this rosé variation. The pink color and seasonal fruits make it perfect for spring.

• YIELDS: 12 – 16 serving(s)
• PREP TIME: 10 mins

Ingredients

• 1 bottle rosé wine
• 1 c. orange-flavored vodka
• 1 pt. strawberries, hulled and halved
• 1/2 c. red grapes, halved
• 1/2 c. sugar
• 1 bottle prosecco or other sparkling wine

Directions

1. Mix the rosé, vodka, strawberries, grapes, sugar and 1/2 cup water in a large pitcher. Refrigerate for 12 hours.
2. Pour in the prosecco just before serving. Serve over ice.

Paloma

To give this tequila-based drink its bright and citrusy flavor, fresh grapefruit juice, fresh lime juice, and grapefruit soda are added to the mix. A pinch of salt in the glass rounds it all out.

• YIELDS: 3 serving(s)
• PREP TIME: 5 mins

Ingredients

• 6 oz. tequila blanco
• 1 1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
• 6 oz. fresh grapefruit juice
• Pinch of salt
• Crushed ice, for serving
• 12 oz. grapefruit soda, such as Jarritos, Squirt or Fresca
• 3 slices fresh pink or red grapefruit, for serving
• 3 lime wedges, for serving

Directions

1. Divide the tequila, lime and grapefruit juices among the three glasses. Add a pinch of salt to each glass. Fill three-quarters full of ice, then stir to combine. Top with grapefruit soda, then garnish with a slice of grapefruit and a lime wedge.

Tip: For a salted rim, spread about 1/4-cup kosher salt onto a small plate. Rub the tops of the glasses with the lime wedges and dip into the salt, before making the cocktail.

French 75 Cocktail

Light, bubbly, and perfect for special occasions, this classic cocktail would be a great choice for bridal showers, Mother’s Day brunch, or any spring occasion.

• YIELDS: 2 serving(s)
• PREP TIME: 5 mins

Ingredients

• 3 oz. gin
• 2 oz. fresh lemon juice
• 1 oz. simple syrup
• Ice, for shaking
• Sparkling wine, like champagne, prosecco or cava
• Lemon twists, for garnish

Directions

1. In a cocktail shaker, combine the gin, lemon juice and simple syrup. Add a few cubes of ice, then cover and shake for 10-20 seconds until well chilled.
2. Strain the mixture and divide evenly into two champagne flutes. Top with chilled champagne, garnish with a lemon twist and serve immediately.

Oklahoma Prairie Fire

Don’t let the bright pink color of this cocktail fool you—this drink is full of bold, smoky flavor and a hint of spice from the chili-salt rim.

• YIELDS: 1 serving(s)
• PREP TIME: 5 mins

Ingredients

• 2 oz. mezcal
• 1 oz. orange juice
• 1 oz. blood orange juice
• 1 oz. fresh lime juice, plus 2 lime wedges
• 1 oz. simple syrup
• 1/2 oz. grenadine
• 4 to 6 dashes of orange bitters
• Chili powder, for the rim
• Kosher salt, for the rim

Directions

1. Combine the mezcal, orange juice, blood orange juice, lime juice, simple syrup, grenadine and bitters in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake for 8 seconds.
2. Combine equal parts chili powder and salt on a plate. Run a lime wedge around the rim of a tall glass and dip in the chili salt to coat.
3. Fill the glass with ice and strain in the contents of the shaker. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Lavender Lemonade

Looking for a mocktail to serve at your spring picnic? This lavender-infused lemonade will do the trick! Of course, you can always add a splash of vodka to turn it into a boozy drink.

• YIELDS: 8 c.
• PREP TIME: 5 mins
• TOTAL TIME: 2 hrs

Ingredients

LAVENDER SYRUP

• 1/2 c. granulated sugar
• 4 tsp. dried culinary lavender
• 3 sprigs fresh lavender, plus more for garnish

LAVENDER LEMONADE

• 2 c. freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 4 sprigs mint
• 1 c. lavender syrup
• Lemon slices, for garnish

Directions

1. For the lavender syrup: Combine the sugar, 1/2 cup water and the dried and fresh lavender in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a low simmer and stir well until all of the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat, cover and set aside for 1 hour. Strain the lavender and chill the syrup in the refrigerator until ready to use (it can be stored for up to 1 week).
2. For the lavender lemonade: In a large pitcher, combine the lemon juice, 4 cups water, fresh mint and lavender syrup.  Stir well to combine. Serve in glasses over ice, with lemon slices and additional sprigs of fresh lavender.

Ranch Water

Come springtime, we’re always ready to lighten things up—including our drinks. This popular cocktail is less caloric and sugary but still completely refreshing.

• YIELDS: 1 serving(s)
• PREP TIME: 3 mins

Ingredients

• Crushed ice
• 1 tbsp. lime juice, fresh or bottled, more if desired
• 2 oz. tequila blanco
• 6 oz. sparkling mineral water, like Topo Chico 
• Lime wheels and bendy straws, for serving 

Directions

1. Fill a glass one-half full with crushed ice. Top with fresh lime juice, tequila, then the sparkling water. Garnish the glass with a lime wheel and drink with a straw, if you like!

White Russian

This three-ingredient cocktail couldn’t be easier! Plus, it’s the perfect way to finish off your spring dinner, especially if you add a drizzle of caramel sauce to the glass.

• YIELDS: 1 serving(s)
• PREP TIME: 2 mins

Ingredients

• 2 oz. vodka
• 1 oz. coffee liquor, such as Kahlua
• 1 oz. heavy cream

Directions

1. Combine the vodka and coffee liquor in a small rocks or old fashioned glass. Give it a stir them add a few ice cubes. Top with heavy cream and enjoy.

Marg-a-Ree-ta

Here’s a new variation on margaritas: add cucumber slices, mint, and a handful of cilantro for a burst of herby freshness. It’s a fun twist for taco Tuesday.

• YIELDS: 1 serving(s)
• PREP TIME: 5 mins

Ingredients

• 5 cucumber slices
• A handful of fresh cilantro
• 2 mint leaves, plus a sprig
• 1 oz. fresh lime juice, plus 3 lime wedges
• 2 oz. tequila
• 1/2 oz.  vodka
• 1 oz. fresh lemon juice
• 1 to 2 ounces simple syrup
• Kosher salt, for the rim

Directions

1. Combine 2 cucumber slices, the cilantro, mint leaves, 1 lime wedge, the tequila and vodka in a cocktail shaker. Muddle with the handle of a wooden spoon. Add the lime and lemon juices and simple syrup. Add ice and shake for 10 seconds.
2. Put some salt on a plate. Run a lime wedge around the rim of a mason jar and dip in the salt to coat. Fill the glass with ice. Line the glass with the remaining cucumber slices and strain in the contents of the shaker. Garnish with the mint sprig and remaining lime wedge.

Negroni Cocktail

This refreshingly bitter cocktail will transport you straight to Italy. Enjoy it before dinner just like the Italians do.

One of the easiest classic cocktails, a Negroni calls for equals parts gin, red vermouth, and Campari simply stirred together, then served over ice with an orange peel twist. The Negroni cocktail is said to have originated in Florence, Italy and is known as an “aperitivo,” or drink to have before dinner. 

• YIELDS: 1 serving(s)
• PREP TIME: 2 mins

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 oz. gin
• 1 1/2 oz. red vermouth
• 1 1/2 oz. Campari 
• Orange twist, to garnish

Directions

1. Combine the gin, vermouth and Campari in a mixing glass full of ice. Stir well to combine. Transfer to a rocks glass. Garnish with an orange twist.

Espresso Martini

If you’re the kind of person who gets excited by iced coffee come spring, you’ll love this caffeine-infused martini. Swap out the espresso for cold brew concentrate if you’re in a pinch.

• YIELDS: 1 serving(s)
• PREP TIME: 10 mins
• TOTAL TIME: 20 mins

Ingredients

• 2 oz. vodka
• 1 oz. coffee liquor
• 1 oz. espresso (or cold brew coffee concentrate)
• 1/2 oz. simple syrup
• Coffee beans, for garnish (optional)

Directions

1. In a cocktail shaker, one-half full of ice, combine the vodka, coffee liquor, espresso and simple syrup. Shake very well, until a layer of foam develops on the surface of the liquid.
2. Pour into a chilled coupe or martini glass and top with 3 coffee beans to garnish, it desired. Serve immediately.

Red Berry Frozen Sangria

This frozen cocktail is perfect for when you’re craving sangria but don’t have time to wait for the fruits to infuse with the wine. Just blitz all the ingredients up in a blender and serve!

Ingredients

• 1 750-ml bottle chilled dry red wine (such as cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir or merlot)
• 2 c. frozen strawberries
• 1/2 c. frozen blueberries
• 1/2 c. red seedless grapes
• 1/2 c. chilled brandy
• 1/4 c. superfine sugar
• 3 c. ice

Directions

1. Combine red wine, strawberries, blueberries, grapes, brandy, sugar, and ice in a blender. Blend until smooth.
2. Pour into glasses and garnish with fresh strawberries.