food
By Katherine Gillen
•
Published Mar 15, 2023
We don’t know about you, but we’re ready to replace our fuzzy sweaters with short sleeves and our hot toddies with something fruity and refreshing. Spring is on its way, and that means swapping our favorite cold weather beverages for strawberry margaritas, rhubarb fizzes and matcha mint juleps (to name a few). Here, 36 spring co*cktails that are fresh for the new season.
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Photo: Jon Cospito/Styling: Heath Goldman
1. Big-Batch Pink Negronis
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleasing, special occasion–worthy, <10 ingredients
By swapping the usual vermouth rosso for Lillet Blanc, these pink sippers are lighter, sweeter and more floral than the O.G. Negroni.
Get the recipe
The Modern Proper
2. Rhubarb Mint Margarita with Jalapeño Tequila
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why I Love It: special occasion–worthy
We always look forward to the arrival of rhubarb at the farmers market, so this year, we’re snatching up a big bunch and turning it into a co*cktail. If you’re not into spicy drinks, skip infusing the tequila.
Cookie and Kate
3. Frozen Strawberry Margaritas
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, ready in <15 minutes, special occasion–worthy
The sun is *finally* shining and we’re busting out our blender to celebrate the occasion. (If you don’t have fresh strawberries at the ready, feel free to use frozen.)
Spoon Fork Bacon
4. Hibiscus and Ginger Champagne co*cktail
- Time Commitment: 5 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy, low carb
We love the way the tanginess of the hibiscus pairs with the spicy ginger liqueur. For the biggest impact, use whole hibiscus flowers—you can buy ’em online.
How Sweet Eats
5. Strawberry Citrus Easter Punch
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy
Nothing says “first outdoor brunch of the season” like a big batch of berry punch (spiked with brandy, of course). We love not playing bartender with a co*cktail shaker.
Plays Well With Butter
6. Lavender Lemonade Rosé co*cktails
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
Upgrade your favorite bottle of dry rosé with homemade lemonade and a lavender simple syrup that’s surprisingly easy to make.
So Much Food
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, special occasion–worthy
What says spring more than a light, refreshing and floral co*cktail? Everyone will think you’re a fancy mixologist with this one.
Cookie and Kate
8. Cucumber Elderflower Gimlet
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why I Love It: special occasion–worthy, ready in <15 minutes, low carb
A gimlet is a lot like a martini, but with lime juice instead of vermouth. Translation: It’s herbaceous but sour and just the thing to sip on a warm(ish) day.
How Sweet Eats
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy
Imagine if you served this cucumber-lime number in place of green beer on St. Patrick’s Day. You’d basically be, well, a saint.
What’s Gaby Cooking
- Time Commitment: 5 minutes
- Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, ready in <15 minutes, crowd-pleaser
Pink lemonade, but make it adults-only. OK fine, leave out the vodka if you want to make it a mocktail. Or better yet, make two batches.
Bojon Gourmet
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy, <10 ingredients
We already love the tart flavor of a class Bees Knees (that’s gin, lemon and honey), so upping the ante with rhubarb is a no-brainer.
A Cookie Named Desire
12. Strawberry Champagne Mojito
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why I Love It: special occasion–worthy
The homemade strawberry syrup takes this sparkler over the top, but you can swap it for seedless strawberry jelly in a pinch.
All Day I Dream About Food
13. Rhubarb Fizz
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, low carb, sugar free, keto
This spring co*cktail has a secret: It uses alt-sweeteners to make it keto-friendly. If you’re not keto, regular sugar will do just fine.
How Sweet Eats
14. Lavender Sangria
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy
Even if you don’t looove floral flavors, you’ll want to try this lavender-laced drink. It’s light and herbal, not perfumy or overly sweet.
Bojon Gourmet
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why I Love It: ready in <15 minutes, <10 ingredients
Grassy green tea and mint practically scream spring. We’ll be sipping on these long before the Kentucky Derby even happens.
What's Gaby Cooking
16. Sparkling Pineapple Spritz
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
FYI, pineapple is a spring fruit, even though it tastes like a summer vacation. We’ll be making these spritzes the moment the forecast says 60 degrees.
Broma Bakery
17. The Spring Buzz
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why I Love It: ready in <15 minutes, <10 ingredients
This concoction of chamomile, whiskey and honey will put you in the mood for spring and send away any lingering winter sniffles. It’s kinda like a chilled hot toddy.
Snixy Kitchen
- Time Commitment: 17 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
Vegetable co*cktails really had a moment about six years ago. Can we petition to bring them back? This verdant beverage is the ideal balance of earthy and sweet.
A Classic Twist
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, make ahead
If 60 and party sunny isn’t enough, transport yourself to even warmer weather with this tropical bev.
Bojon Gourmet
- Time Commitment: 5 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, ready in <15 minutes
What’s that? Passionfruit not your fancy? Try hibiscus, which is as gorgeous to look at as it is delicious to drink.
Half Baked Harvest
21. Blueberry Lemon Thyme Smash
- Time Commitment: 5 minutes
- Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy
We’d say the thyme and blueberry garnish is optional, but it really makes this co*cktail feel special, no? Plus, it’s about as simple a garnish as you can get.
Simply LaKita
- Time Commitment: 5 minutes
- Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, ready in <15 minutes
Even if you don’t have a blender, you can still make a sweet-and-sour strawberry margarita come springtime. This one is flavored with a fresh strawberry puree, but you can substitute preserves for simplicity.
A Classic Twist
- Time Commitment: 5 minutes
- Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy
Bonus points if you make floral ice cubes with edible flowers. (We like the ones from Gourmet Sweet Botanicals.)
The Modern Proper
24. Grapefruit Pisco Sour with Orange Bitters
- Time Commitment: 5 minutes
- Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, ready in <15 minutes
Grapefruit is often thought of as a winter staple, but it’s actually at its sweetest in early spring. Perfect timing to whip up one of these mouth-puckering pisco sours.
Bojon Gourmet
25. Sparkling Citrus Lillet Prosecco Punch
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy, <10 ingredients
If your farmers market is still a little bare in early March, take advantage of the lingering citrus fruit and make this sparkling punch. It’s not too boozy, which makes it great for brunch.
Salt and Wind
26. Arugula Pineapple Daiquiri
- Time Commitment: 5 minutes
- Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, ready in <15 minutes
Arugula in a co*cktail? Believe it. The tender green is officially in season in spring, and it adds an unexpected peppery bite to an otherwise sweet co*cktail.
How Sweet Eats
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
Raise your hand if you think mimosas are kind of basic. (Us too.) The remedy? This fruit-laden punch, which makes the brunch staple sooo much better.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
28. Grapefruit Wine
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
Oh hi, three-ingredient co*cktail for a crowd. This simple drink calls for a bottle of rosé, but if you really want to live on the edge, add a splash of gin.
Get the recipe
Half Baked Harvest
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
You mix the grapefruit with the blueberry and you drink it all up. Wait, that’s not how it goes? We’re doing it anyway.
I Heart Umami
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, ready in <15 minutes, low sugar
This flavor combination is the definition of refreshing. Bonus, there are only five grams of sugar in each drink.
Salt and Wind
31. Rosé Raspberry Lavender Spritzer
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser
Make the lavender simple syrup ahead of time so it’s smooth sailing—er, shaking—come brunch. Serve with a frittata and a zingy side salad, and you've got the ideal Sunday meal.
32. Pink Vodka Lemonade co*cktail
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
Strawberry simple syrup sweetens this drink, while keeping it light and refreshing. If you’re not a vodka person, feel free to use tequila instead.
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, special occasion–worthy
If you can make a classic margarita, you can make this riff. It’s infused with fresh mint syrup and garnished with cucumber slices to keep you cool.
34. Easy Mint Julep
- Time Commitment: 5 minutes
- Why I Love It: <15 minutes, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
The Derby is in May, so you better brush up on your Julep now. Luckily, this one calls for just four ingredients.
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why I Love It: <15 minutes, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
We’re a little obsessed with the refreshing combination of herbaceous gin and sweet strawberries. Even better, this spring co*cktail can be made in a pitcher for a crowd.
36. Strawberry Jalapeño Margaritas
- Time Commitment: 5 minutes
- Why I Love It: <15 minutes, <10 ingredients, special occasion–worthy
It’s sweet with spring fruit but has just enough heat to remind you that summer is on the way.
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Katherine Gillen
Senior Food Editor
Katherine Gillenis PureWow’s senior food editor. She’s a writer, recipe developer and food stylist with a degree in culinary arts and professional experience in New York City...
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