41 Spring Cocktails: Easy Drinks for Right Now
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I’m looking for something specific in my spring cocktails: some freshness, after months of Manhattans. Some lightness, after shivering over spiked cocoa. When it’s finally nice enough to enjoy a drink outdoors (okay, maybe I'll bring a sweater for now), I want fizzy spring drinks and options that highlight seasonal produce—I am, after all, trying to consume as much rhubarb as humanly possible. I’ll still drink whiskey, but I might want it with strawberries or mountains of crushed ice and mint. Below you’ll find a few favorites, including herbal gin cocktails, easy spritzes and lower-ABV cocktails, classics and newer inventions that all feel right for sipping right now.
Photo by Paul H. Christian, Food Styling by Michele Figliuolo1/39Mint Julep
Even if you don't actually wear a big hat and watch the races, I highly recommend that you fit a julep into your spring drinking plans. It's a classic, simple concoction—though this version gets boosted flavor from an easy mint-infused simple syrup. If you don't have a fridge that dispenses crushed ice, smashing up cubes is fun—and spring cocktails are supposed to be fun, aren't they?
Photo by Andy Sewell5/39Kentucky Buck
Whiskey, but make it spring. Strawberries shine in this tall, refreshing, gingery cocktail, made with bourbon, fresh lemon, muddled berries, and spicy ginger beer.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton7/39Oaxaca Old Fashioned
There's an old fashioned for every season. This version—which some call the king of mezcal cocktails—pairs reposado tequila, mezcal, agave nectar, and Angostura.
Photo by Paul H. Christian, Food Styling by Michele Figliuolo8/39Strawberry, Grapefruit, and Chamomile Brunch Punch
Photo & Food Styling by Joseph De Leo13/39Padova Spritz
A flavor-fulled nonalcoholic spritz from Epi contributor Julia Bainbridge's Good Drinks. Pour yourself a glass, then check out our guide if you're interested in more bittersweet options for your booze-free bar.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Lillian Chou15/39Turmeric-Cumin Margarita
This sunny-hued margarita has smoky cumin salt on the rim—it's the perfect partner for your first grilled wings of the season.
Photo by Eva Kolenko17/39Killer Bee
This version of the classic honey-sweetened Bee's Knees uses earthy mezcal instead of gin.
Photo by Lizzie Munro22/39Sakura Martini
Give your spring martini a floral layer. This recipe from bartender Kenta Goto calls for sake, but unlike a classic saketini, this flowery take uses fragrant maraschino instead of vermouth.
Christopher Testani23/39Saint-Florent Cocktail
If you like a French 75 and an Aperol spritz, you appreciate this Angostura and Aperol-accented spring drink.
Photo and Styling by Joseph De Leo27/39Corpse Reviver No. 2
Add a splash of absinthe to equal parts gin, orange liqueur, lemon juice, and Kina Lillet for this old school morning cocktail.
Photo by Stephen Kent Johnson, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich33/39Campari Spritz
Photo by Daniel Krieger39/39Pimm’s Italiano
This refreshing, slightly bitter spin on the Pimm's Cup is one of those spring cocktails that we'll be drinking straight through to summer.
