Spring breezes beckon us outdoors for al fresco dining and evenings on the patio. Languish in the season’s long days and absolutely perfect, bug-free temperatures. It is the time of year to stop and enjoy happy hour outdoors, before the oppressive Southern heat settles in! And what better way to savor this sensational season than with a celebratory spring cocktail? We have four creative seasonal cocktail recipes from local mixologists that are sure to make a lasting impression at your next gathering. So host a stunning soiree, a girls’ patio luncheon or a porch picnic with friends and family, and be sure to bring one of these memorable spring cocktails!
4 Fabulous Spring Cocktail Recipes
The Milk-Eyed Mender
FoodBar‘s bar manager and mixologist extraordinaire, Kristin Fillingham, created this intriguing and delicious libation using Art in the Age’s rhubarb tea liqueur, an 80-proof spirit that’s a blend of rhubarb, lemon and beets, along with spices like cardamom, pink peppercorns and coriander. Kristin pairs the rhubarb tea liqueur with fresh spring ingredients, such as raspberries, plums and fresh lemon juice. Add a bit of aromatic Farigoule French thyme liqueur — made from the rolling hills of France’s Provence region — and floral creme de violette. And because nothing says spring rebirth like eggs, vigorously shake with egg whites for a creamy finish and garnish with sweet and delicate kale flower petals for an unforgettable and quintessentially spring cocktail.
The Milk-Eyed Mender from FoodBar
- 3 fresh raspberries
- 3 slices of plum
- 1 1/2 ounces Art in the Age Rhubarb
- 1 ounce creme de violette
- 1/2 ounce Farigoule french liqueur
- 1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
- 1 egg white
- Kale flower petals
- Muddle the fruit with all ingredients but the egg white and flower petals.
- Add the egg white and dry shake vigorously with ice.
- Double strain into a martini glass.
- Garnish with kale flower petals.
Mafiaoza’s Spring Fizz
If you’re a fan of mimosas, this fizzy delight by the mixologists at Mafiaoza’s takes the humble mimosa to the next level. St-Germain, the artisanal French liqueur made from handpicked elderflowers, imbues this cocktail with a romantic sense of slowing down to enjoy life. Pair locally made Redmont vodka and a splash of St-Germain with equal parts freshly squeezed orange juice and Champagne, and top with fresh blueberries and orange slices. This refreshing drink is not only delicious, but also has a colorful springy look!
Mafiaoza’s Spring Fizz
- 1 1/4 ounces Redmont vodka
- 3/4 ounce St-Germain
- Fresh squeezed orange juice, to taste
- Champagne, to taste
- Blueberries, for garnish
- Orange slices, for garnish
- Combine the Redmont vodka and St-Germain.
- Top with equal parts fresh-squeezed orange juice and Champagne.
- Garnish with fresh blueberries and orange slices.
Lady Sybil
Exquisite, elegant, no nonsense — all qualities that capture “Downton Abbey’s” Lady Sybil, as well as this cocktail, which is named for the show’s brave, youngest Crawley daughter. One part gin, one part St-Germain and finished with Champagne, this classic, bubbly cocktail created by the mixologists at Daniel George restaurant is infused with the spirits of juniper berries and elderflowers. Kick back and exude the gilded glamour of “Downton Abbey” with this posh cocktail.
The Lady Sybil from Daniel George restaurant
- 1 ounce gin
- 1 ounce St-Germain
- Champagne, to taste
- Pour the gin and St-Germain into a glass.
- Top with Champagne to taste.
Never-Ending Summer
For those who delight in summer’s sizzling heat and white-hot rays of sunshine, toast spring for cranking up the heat with the Never-Ending Summer cocktail from The Grand Bohemian’s Habitat Feed & Social restaurant. This simple, yet sophisticated, cocktail combines vibrant lemons and French elderflower liqueur with vodka. Garnished with sage, this fresh, crisp libation is perfect for a warm afternoon outdoors with loved ones.
The Never-Ending Summer cocktail at The Grand Bohemian’s Habitat Feed & Social
- 1 1/2 ounces vodka
- 1/4 ounce St-Germain
- .75 ounce fresh lemon juice
- Lemon slice, for garnish
- Sage leaf, for garnish
- Combine the vodka and St-Germain in a glass.
- Add the fresh lemon juice.
- Garnish with a lemon slice and sage leaf.
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