Refreshing Spring Cocktails & Mocktails: Elevated Recipes for the Season
As the days grow warmer and longer, spring calls for crisp, refreshing drinks that celebrate the season’s lightness and vibrancy. Whether you’re hosting a garden party, a brunch with friends, or simply unwinding on the patio, the right cocktail (or mocktail) adds a touch of elegance and joy to any gathering.
This season, it’s all about fresh herbs, floral notes, and bright citrus flavors—with a focus on presentation that feels refined but effortlessly inviting. Here are some stylish and creative cocktail and mocktail recipes that capture the essence of spring, along with tips for beautiful garnishes and serving ideas.
1. The Elderflower Spritz
Light, floral, and subtly sweet, this cocktail is the embodiment of spring in a glass. It’s perfect for a breezy afternoon or a chic garden party.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz elderflower liqueur (such as St-Germain)
- 3 oz dry prosecco or sparkling wine
- 1 oz sparkling water
- Fresh mint leaves and a lemon twist for garnish
How to Make It:
- Fill a wine glass with ice.
- Add the elderflower liqueur, followed by the prosecco.
- Top with sparkling water and stir gently.
- Garnish with fresh mint and a delicate lemon twist.
Mocktail Variation:
Swap the elderflower liqueur for elderflower cordial and replace the prosecco with a non-alcoholic sparkling white wine or club soda for a refreshing, floral mocktail.
Presentation Tip:
Serve in a stemmed glass with a sprig of thyme or rosemary tucked into the garnish for an extra elegant touch.
2. Blood Orange & Rosemary Paloma
A vibrant twist on the classic Paloma, this cocktail balances zesty citrus with the earthy, aromatic warmth of rosemary.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz blanco tequila
- 2 oz freshly squeezed blood orange juice
- 1 oz lime juice
- 1 oz rosemary simple syrup*
- Sparkling water to top
- Blood orange slice and rosemary sprig for garnish
*To make rosemary simple syrup: Simmer 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup water, and 3 rosemary sprigs until the sugar dissolves. Let it steep for 15 minutes, then strain.
How to Make It:
- Fill a shaker with ice.
- Add tequila, blood orange juice, lime juice, and rosemary syrup.
- Shake well and strain into a glass with fresh ice.
- Top with sparkling water and garnish with a blood orange slice and rosemary sprig.
Mocktail Variation:
Skip the tequila and add a splash of non-alcoholic aperitif or pomegranate juice for depth. Increase the sparkling water for a bright, citrus-forward mocktail.
Presentation Tip:
Rim the glass with a mix of coarse salt and crushed dried rosemary for an herbaceous, aromatic finish.
3. Strawberry Basil Smash
Sweet, herbaceous, and beautifully balanced, this cocktail is light and garden-fresh—ideal for a sunny afternoon.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz gin (or vodka)
- 3-4 fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 4-5 fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 oz lemon juice
- 1/2 oz honey syrup (equal parts honey and warm water)
- Club soda to top
- Basil sprig and sliced strawberry for garnish
How to Make It:
- In a shaker, muddle the strawberries and basil leaves until fragrant.
- Add the gin, lemon juice, and honey syrup.
- Shake with ice and strain into a glass over fresh ice.
- Top with club soda and garnish with a basil sprig and a thinly sliced strawberry.
Mocktail Variation:
Omit the gin and replace it with cucumber juice or a splash of apple cider vinegar for a tart, garden-fresh mocktail.
Presentation Tip:
Use crushed ice instead of cubes—it gives the drink a frosty, jewel-like look and makes it feel extra refreshing.
4. Lavender Lemon Collins
Fragrant, floral, and citrusy, this cocktail is a springtime showstopper. The lavender adds a delicate, calming essence without being overpowering.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz vodka or gin
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 oz lavender simple syrup*
- Club soda to top
- Lemon wheel and lavender sprig for garnish
*To make lavender simple syrup: Simmer 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup water, and 1 tbsp dried culinary lavender until sugar dissolves. Let steep for 15 minutes, then strain.
How to Make It:
- Fill a shaker with ice.
- Add vodka (or gin), lemon juice, and lavender syrup.
- Shake and strain into a glass with fresh ice.
- Top with club soda and garnish with a lemon wheel and a sprig of lavender.
💡 Mocktail Variation:
Skip the alcohol and replace it with sparkling lemonade or a non-alcoholic gin alternative for a floral, citrusy mocktail.
Presentation Tip:
Serve in a tall Collins glass with dried lavender tied with twine around the stem for a charming, rustic finish.
5. Cucumber & Mint Cooler (Non-Alcoholic)
Crisp and herbaceous, this mocktail is ultra-refreshing and perfect for springtime sipping.
Ingredients:
- 3-4 cucumber slices
- 5-6 fresh mint leaves
- 1/2 oz lime juice
- 1/2 oz honey syrup
- Sparkling water
- Cucumber ribbon and mint sprig for garnish
How to Make It:
- Muddle cucumber slices and mint leaves in a shaker.
- Add lime juice and honey syrup.
- Shake with ice and strain into a glass over fresh ice.
- Top with sparkling water and garnish with a cucumber ribbon and mint sprig.
Presentation Tip:
Use a vegetable peeler to create long cucumber ribbons—they look elegant draped along the inside of the glass.
Serving & Styling Tips for Spring Drinks:
- Glassware Matters: Opt for coupe glasses, delicate tumblers, or vintage-inspired goblets for an elevated touch.
- Garnish Creatively: Edible flowers (like pansies or chamomile), fresh herbs, and citrus wheels add color and elegance.
- Ice with Flair: Freeze edible flowers or herbs into large ice cubes for a whimsical, springtime feel.
- Elegant Serving Tray: Serve drinks on a rattan or marble tray with small bowls of garnishes for a refined presentation.
Sip & Savor the Season
Spring cocktails and mocktails should feel as fresh and inviting as the season itself. With fragrant herbs, bright citrus, and delicate florals, these drinks are designed to delight both the palate and the eye. Whether you’re toasting with friends or enjoying a quiet afternoon on the patio, these elevated sips are the perfect way to celebrate the beauty of spring. Cheers!
