Simply Delicious Spring Cocktails

With the days of coat wearing finally behind us what better way to rejoice the arrival of Spring than with cocktails? These recipes are fresh and simple and invoke all that Spring has to offer. Think gardens and rainstorms, floral and fruity. Tastes that bring forth the same giddiness and excitement as the warmth of the sun and the buzzing of bumblebees. Yes, it’s officially Spring! Now let us toast with these 5 fun cocktails!

Strawberry Basil Margarita (makes a pitcher)

1 can frozen limeade concentrate

2 ½ cans of water

2 ½ cups of tequila

10 strawberries

8 basil leaves

Mix the limeade concentrate, water and tequila in a pitcher. Cut the tops off of the strawberries, slice them and toss into the pitcher. Use your hands to crush up the basil leaves a little to release the aromatic oils and stir into the pitcher. Place into the fridge overnight or for at least 4 hours and enjoy.

Flower Power Sour

1 1/3 parts absolute mandarin

1/3 part elder flower cordial

2/3 part lemon juice

1/3 part mandarin liquor

1/3 part simple syrup

1 slice of orange

Add all ingredients into a shaker and mix thoroughly. Serve on the rocks.

Watermelon Champagne

4 ½ cups seedless watermelon cubes

¼ C vanilla infused vodka

1/8 C triple sec

1 ½ ounces of fresh squeezed lime juice

Champagne

Blend the watermelon then using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth strain the melon pulp out. Strain two cups of the watermelon juice into a large container and add the vodka, triple sec and lime. Place into fridge and chill for 30 minutes. Once chilled, pour equally into 4 champagne flutes then top it off with champagne. This is a wonderfully sweet and refreshing drink!

Cucumber and Basil Gin and Tonic

¼ C gin

Tonic water

2 basil leaves

3 cucumber slices

1 lime

Ice cubes

Gently muddle the basil leaves with the cucumber and lime in a shaker. Add vodka and shake for 30 seconds. Pour into a high ball glass and top it off with tonic. Garnish with a sprig of basil.

Juliet & Romeo

2 oz gin

¾ oz lime juice

¾ oz simple syrup

3 drops of rosewater

3 drops of Angostura bitters

3 slices of cucumber

1 sprig of mint

1 pinch of salt

Muddle the cucumber and salt. Slap the mint. Stir in the rest of the ingredients. Shake, strain and garnish with mint. I have made this before and it is a winner. I like to add an extra drop of rose water on top after I have already poured the drink.

Written by Kate Williams