Our Top Cocktail Recommendations for Spring

Warm weather, like the best things in life, calls for a drink. If you've been drinking hot chocolate and aged wine all season, it might be time to switch things up with new, sweet cocktail mixers. The best spring cocktails are vibrant, packed with fresh fruit and delectable spirits, and taste like you're vacationing on the beaches of Jamaica—or, at the very least, drinking atop a beach towel on your lawn, which counts.

We're here to help with our list of the best cocktails for spring if you're officially in spring-planning mode. Don't get caught slipping in March, when your darts, brunches, and picnics deserve beverages that match the fun, flirty spring mood. Start planning a get-together with friends to toast the great outdoors properly. Then, the next time you feel like a drink in the sun (is tomorrow too soon?), immediately peruse this list of best cocktails for spring.

Gin-Based Cocktails

Gin cocktails are an underappreciated pleasure that you can enjoy in many ways. They are perfect for unwinding after work, providing a refreshing option for parties, and can serve as a great pre-dinner drink to stimulate appetite.

Gin can be intimidating to those unfamiliar, especially given its broad, dynamic flavour profile and the plethora of available options. While it's great in classic cocktails, it's also delicious when paired with simple carbonated mixers (tonic water, soda water, or ginger ale) that highlight the complex flavours of this liquor. But, in the end, a good bottle of gin requires very little to dazzle the palate. Enjoy it straight or on the rocks.

However, in case you need inspiration, here are three beautiful Flaschengeist gin recipes that'll have you reaching for the bottle.

Gin Martini  

The world's most famous cocktail is the classic dry gin martini. Though there are many "martini" alterations, there is only one proper martini, and few cocktails can compete with this straightforward recipe. Our Flaschengeist version uses our popular liqueur add-to-gin Watermelon flavour. Here is the recipe: 

• 60ml gin
• 30ml dry vermouth
• Lemon twist for garnish

Tom Collins

The best drinks often use the simplest ingredients. The Tom Collins, a classic and timeless cocktail made with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and club soda, is a perfect example. The refreshing drink tastes like sparkling spiked lemonade and comes with everything you need to stay cool on a hot day. With our Flaschengeist version, we used our add to gin Strawberry flavour. Here is the recipe:

• 60ml gin
• 60ml lemon juice
• 30ml simple syrup
• Club soda
• Orange or cherry for garnish

French 75

Coined after the French 75-millimetre field gun, the drink is much friendlier than the name implies. It consists of gin, fresh lemon juice, sugar, and champagne. With our Flaschengeist version, we used our add to gin Strawberry flavour. Here is the recipe:

• 1 1/2 oz gin
• 1/2 oz lemon juice
• 1/4 oz simple syrup
• Champagne or Prosecco
• Lemon twist for garnish

Vodka-Based Cocktails

Vodka is still a must-have for bartenders and mixologists everywhere, as it is an essential ingredient in various cocktail recipes. Vodka enables mixologists to be more innovative and creative while maintaining the necessary complexity in these cocktails. Vodka is king in the world of cocktail mixers, so if you don't already have a bottle on hand, now is the time to buy some for the holidays. For each recipe, we use our ​​popular liqueurs, Luxe Decanter vodka with 24-carat Gold Flakes.

Vodka Martini

We share James Bond's love for the vodka martini. An exquisite and refreshing vodka martini is a classic that you can't top. If you want to impress your guests with a sophisticated drink at home, serve it in a chilled martini glass and top it with olives or a twist of lemon. Make it a little dirtier by drizzling some olive brine in addition to your olives. Also, we would like to say 007 is wrong—vodka martinis should be stirred, not shaken.

• 2 oz Luxe decanter vodka
• 1/2 oz dry vermouth
• Green olive or lemon twist for garnish

Instructions 

1. Mix the vodka and dry vermouth in a mixing glass filled with ice
2. Strain into a chilled martini glass after stirring until chilled
3. Add as many olives as you like to the cocktail (threaded onto a toothpick)

Cosmopolitan

Made famous by Sex and the City, the Cosmo is a fun, fruity cocktail. It's a sophisticated drink that is one of the best cocktails for spring. The origins of the Cosmopolitan are not entirely clear, but it is believed to have originated in 1970s New York City. It gained popularity in the 1990s, thanks in part to the hit television show "Sex and the City," where the main characters often ordered the drink at their favourite bars. Our version is a little sordid, and we use our Smirnoff vodka with 24-carat Gold Flakes; nothing is more cosmopolitan than that.

• 2 oz vodka
• 1/2 oz Cointreau
• 1 oz cranberry juice
• 1/2 oz lime juice
• Lime wheel for garnish

Instructions 

1. Combine the vodka, Cointreau, cranberry juice, and lime juice in the shaker with ice
2. Shake well, then strain into a chilled martini glass
3. Garnish with a lime wheel, and enjoy

Vodka Sour

Are sour and tangy cocktail mixers your thing? Then you'll want to sip on this Vodka Sour. The egg white foam on top adds a creamy, frothy texture to this drink, which is refreshingly sweet and tart. The retro look that the foam provides makes it perfect for parties. And because it's so simple to prepare, it's ideal for a chill afternoon on the porch or a fun evening with cocktails at home. Vodka Sours is a classic cocktail perfect for those who enjoy a sweet and tangy drink.

• 2 oz vodka
• 3/4 oz lemon or lime juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• Splash of soda water
• Lemon or lime wheel for garnish

Instructions 

1. Combine the vodka, lemon or lime juice and simple syrup in the shaker with ice
2. Shake well, then strain into a glass filled with ice
3. Add a splash of soda water, and garnish with a lemon or lime wheel

Rum-Based Cocktails

The true beauty of rum is its versatility. Many different types, flavours, and proofs are available, as over 80 countries enjoy their own version. From light, fruity white rum to dark, robust Navy strength, there's bound to be a rum that suits your taste. While rum is delicious on its own, it comes into its own when used in cocktails.

Mixing drinks with rum often results in a beverage that barely tastes alcoholic due to how well it blends with other ingredients (in most cases). For those who prefer liquor on the stronger side, a few great drinks feature rum. Although rum is present, it typically plays a supporting role, allowing the other components to shine.

Daiquiri

Put out of your mind the standard frozen beverage found at poolside bars and on ships. This daiquiri recipe gives it the Flaschengeist twist. All it takes is a little Flaschengeist rum, some lime juice, and some simple syrup mixed in the right proportions to transport you to another dimension. 

The resulting classic cocktail is ideal for warm summer evenings spent outdoors, as it is airy, crisp, and slightly brisk (in a good way). While you can trace the drink's roots back to the 1890s, it took off in Havana during the 1930s, when the United States was still in Prohibition. At the time, Ernest Hemingway was a regular at the El Floridita bar, where he enjoyed sipping daiquiris. The Hemingway Daiquiri, a summertime drink made with grapefruit juice and maraschino liqueur, bears his name in honour.

• 2 oz Bundaberg Rum
• 3/4 oz lime juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• Lime wheel for garnish

Instructions 

1. Start by adding the rum, lime juice, and simple syrup to a shaker filled with ice
2. Shake the mixture well for about 10 seconds until chilled
3. Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass
4. Garnish with a lime wheel, and enjoy

To make a frozen Daiquiri, you can blend the ingredients with ice until smooth.

Mojito

When life gives you mint leaves, what do you make? A mojito! Nothing beats the cooling effects of a mojito on a spring day, with its burst of mint and fizzy finish. 

​​We can talk extensively about the greatness of the mojito, which is a combination of rum, mint, sugar, lime juice, and sparkling water, but it is likely that you already know how delicious this spring cocktail is. Instead, let's focus on making mojito cocktail mixers, as your technique can differentiate between a "good" mojito and an "exceptional" one.

• 2 oz Bundaberg Rum
• 1/2 oz lime juice
• 1 tsp sugar
• 8-10 mint leaves
• Club soda
• Lime wheel and mint sprig for garnish

Instructions

1. Take a highball glass, add 1 tsp sugar and half-lime juice, and muddle the ingredients together
2.  Add 8-10 mint leaves and muddle them again lightly
3.  Fill the glass with ice cubes and pour 2 oz of white rum
4.  Top the glass with club soda and stir gently
5.  Garnish with a lime wheel and a mint sprig, and enjoy

Piña Colada

Do you like Piña Coladas? Getting caught in the rain, perhaps? Then this is the BEST Piña Colada recipe for you! Though we are dealing with spring cocktails in this blog, Pina Colada is really a taste of what's to come, summer. The Piña Colada is a well-known cocktail first created in 1954 by Ramón "Monchito" Marrero, a bartender from Puerto Rico. You can make it by combining pineapple juice, cream of coconut and rum. It's a perfect summer drink with a unique and delicious combination of pineapple and coconut, and whether you prefer it blended or shaken, it's a great way to beat the heat.

• 2 oz Bundaberg Rum
• 4 oz pineapple juice
• 2 oz cream of coconut
• Pineapple slice and cherry for garnish

Instructions

1. Start by adding the rum, pineapple juice, and cream of coconut to a blender
2. Blend the mixture for about 20 seconds or until the drink is smooth and creamy
3. Pour the mixture into a glass filled with ice
4. Garnish with a pineapple slice and a cherry, and enjoy your Piña Colada

If you don't have the cream of coconut, you could use coconut milk or coconut cream. Also, you could add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a creamier texture.

You could also make variations of the Piña Colada by using different types of rum or fruits like strawberry or mango.

Non-Alcoholic Cocktails

Previously, non-alcoholic cocktails were not considered exciting and were often limited to simple drinks like club soda with lime or a Shirley Temple. However, things have changed, and the options for non-alcoholic cocktails are abundant and just as sophisticated, fun and delicious as their alcoholic versions. With the availability of non-alcoholic wine, champagne, beer and even spirits, it's now easier than ever to avoid alcohol without feeling left out. Whether it's for your guests or yourself, it's always a good idea to have refreshing mocktail cocktail mixers as an option.

Virgin Margarita

This recipe for a non-alcoholic Virgin Margarita is perfect if you are craving a margarita but can't drink it or if you are hosting a crowd and need a non-alcoholic option. This mocktail is tangy and refreshing, with the classic salt rim associated with margaritas. Additionally, it has an unexpected twist in the flavour that mimics tequila, making it a great non-alcoholic alternative. This recipe focuses on tart flavours, balanced with just the right amount of sweetness, making it a perfect non-alcoholic version of the classic Margarita.

• 2 oz lime juice
• Flaschengeist Vodka and Lime
• Salt rim (optional)
• Pickle juice (optional)
• Lime wheel for garnish

Instructions:

1. Start by rimming the glass with salt, if desired, by rubbing a lime wedge around the rim of the glass and dipping it into a small plate of salt
2. Add the lime juice, Pickle juice, Flaschengeist Vodka and Lime, and ice in a shaker
3. Shake well for about 10 seconds or until chilled
4. Strain the mixture into the salt-rimmed glass filled with ice
5. Garnish with a lime wheel, and enjoy

You could also make variations of the Virgin Margarita by using different types of sweeteners or adding a splash of orange juice or grenadine.

Virgin Arnold Palmer

The Arnold Palmer is a classic summertime beverage that combines the refreshing flavours of iced tea and lemonade. It was created by the golf legend Arnold Palmer and named after him, and it quickly became one of his favourite drinks. This drink has been popular in bars and restaurants since the 1960s, and it's straightforward to make at home. The chilled drink is perfect for cooling the palate and refreshing the spirit on a hot day.

• 4 oz iced tea
• 4 oz Flaschengeist Vodka and Lime
• Lemon wedge for garnish

Instructions

1. Start by making iced tea (you can use any tea you prefer, black, green or herbal)
2. Brew the tea, let it cool and then refrigerate it
3. In a glass, add ice cubes
4. Pour 4 oz of the iced tea and 4 oz of Flaschengeist Vodka and Lime
5. Stir the mixture gently
6. Garnish with a lemon wedge, and enjoy

You could also make variations of the Virgin Arnold Palmer by using different types of tea or lemonade.

Cocktail Garnishes

Throughout this article, we have mentioned garnishes multiple times. Cocktail garnishes are decorative items added to cocktails to make them more visually appealing and to enhance their flavour. These can include fruit wedges, slices, twists, olives, onions, cherries, gratings of nutmeg or cinnamon, sprigs of mint, and other salty or pickled items. They can also be inedible items such as umbrellas, plastic animals, fancy straws, and swords. You can trace the use of garnishes back to the history of cocktails. The word "cocktail" may have originated from using rooster tail feathers as a garnish.

Set the Mood with Flaschengeist 

Flaschengeist drinks are the perfect ingredient to elevate your cocktail game. The premium and extremely popular liqueurs come in various flavours and styles that we craft using only the finest ingredients, making them great to use as mixers. We carefully design each bottle to be visually stunning and easy to serve, making them the perfect addition to any bar or party.

Whether you're hosting a formal event or just enjoying a casual night with friends, Flaschengeist drinks are sure to impress. So why not impress your guests with a delicious Flaschengeist cocktail mixer at your next gathering?