Spring Awakening: Toast To The End Of Winter With These Seven Spring-Themed Cocktails

After the winter the Northeast has had, the end of snowstorms and bitter cold weather is definitely something to raise a glass for. In honor of fresh blooms, picnics in the park, and walks along the beach, here are seven cocktails celebrating the start of spring on Friday, March 20th.

Basil Hayden’s Spring Fling. (Courtesy Photo)

1. G’intastic Garden:

15 quartered Strawberries

6 Basil Leaves

Juice of 6 Limes

1 1/2 cup Agave Nectar or Simple Syrup

3 cups G’vine Gin

2 cups White Grape Juice

Directions: Muddle the first four ingredients in a punchbowl. Add G’vine, the White Grape juice and ice. Stir and serve in a special cocktail glass or tall glass. Garnish with a slice of strawberry.

2. The Perfect Picnic:

8 parts Sauza Blue Reposado 100% Agave Tequila

12 Black Tea bags

6 cups Water

2 cups Sugar

Sprigs of fresh Mint for garnish

Lemon wedges for garnish

Directions: In a medium saucepan bring water, tea bags and sugar to a rolling boil. Stir until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and let sit for 15 minutes. Remove tea bags and pour into a thermos with lemon. Cool sweet tea in refrigerator for several hours. When the tea is cool, add the tequila. Once you’re at your picnic, just pour over ice and enjoy. Recipe serves six.

3. Frozen Kiwi Daiquiri:

1.5 oz. Azzurre Vodka

.5 oz. Dry Orange Liqueur

1/2 a large Kiwi, peeled

1 oz. fresh Lime Juice

.5 oz. Simple Syrup

1/2 cup small Ice Cubes

Directions: Combine the vodka, simple syrup, orange liqueur, kiwi, and lime juice in a blender; fill with ice. Blend until smooth.

Q Garden Mule, The Perfect Picnic, Sapphire Earl Grey Collins, and Frozen Kiwi Daiquiri. (Courtesy Photos)

4. Sapphire Earl Grey Collins: (Created by Bombay Sapphire North American Brand Ambassador, Gary Hayward)

7.5 oz. Bombay Sapphire Gin

3.75 oz. Lemon Juice

3 oz. Simple Syrup

5 oz. Earl Grey Tea

5 oz. Club Soda

Directions: Build with ice in punch bowl and stir. Serves 5 people.

5. Basil Hayden’s Spring Fling:

1 1/4 part Basil Hayden’s Bourbon

1 part Coconut Water

1 part Pink Lemonade

1 part Ginger Ale

Directions: Add bourbon to a highball glass and fill with ice. Add remaining ingredients and stir well. Garnish with a lemon wedge.

The Lamb. (Courtesy Photo)

6. The Lamb:

2 oz. Dobel Diamante Tequila

1/2 oz. fresh Lime Juice

1/2 oz. fresh Yuzu Juice

1/2 oz. Orange Liqueur

Directions: Shake all ingredients over ice. Pour into a chilled glass. Garnish with orange peel.

7. Q Garden Mule:

6 oz. Q Ginger Beer

2 oz. Gin

1 oz. Lime Juice

6 Mint Leaves, plus a sprig for garnish

4 slices Cucumber

1 large handful of Blueberries

1 piece Candied Ginger

Directions: Put the cucumber, mint leaves and half the blueberries in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Muddle until crushed and juicy. Add a handful of ice, gin and lime juice. Cover shaker and shake for about 15 seconds, until the shaker develops a nice coat of condensation on the outside. Fill a highball glass with ice. Strain the liquid from the shaker into the glass. Top with ginger beer and a few blueberries. Thread a few more blueberries and a piece of candied ginger onto a toothpick. Garnish with a sprig of mint and the toothpick of berries and ginger.