Ah, that time of year is upon us: spring fever, spring cleaning, garden planning, and Easter celebrations (if you observe) are fast approaching. The snow is gone, and plants, flowers, and trees are coming alive. Let’s celebrate spring with some delicious cocktails! These drinks would be perfect at an afternoon cocktail party, a late lunch, or an evening soirée.
April Rain
If your area suffers from an excess of spring rain, never fear! Enjoy one of these cocktails and cheer up your mood with a hit of citrus. It’s also a great pick-me-up after an afternoon of housecleaning.
- 2 oz vodka
- ½ oz dry vermouth
- ½ oz lime juice
- Lime peel for a garnish
Pour everything but the peel into a cocktail shaker filled with ice cubes. Shake well for 15 seconds, and then strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lime peel.
Lavender Sapphire Collins
What better way to enjoy spring than with a delicious and refreshing cocktail infused with the flavor of lavender? Give this drink a try and you’ll hate to go back to boring old cocktails when lavender goes out of season. See below the recipe for instructions how to prepare lavender syrup.
- 1 ½ oz Bombay Sapphire Gin
- ½ oz lavender syrup
- ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
- 3 oz club soda
- Lemon wedge for a garnish
Squeeze half a lemon into a chilled Collins glass. Add the lavender syrup and gin. Stir and fill the glass with ice, then top with club soda. Garnish with a lemon wedge.
Lavender Syrup Preparation
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups sugar
- 3 tablespoons fresh or dried lavender buds
Place water and lavender in a heavy pot and to a boil over med-high heat. Add the sugar and stir until it is completely dissolved. Reduce the heat and simmer for five minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. Strain out the lavender flowers and pour into a glass jar or bottle and store in the fridge for up to one week.