20 Bright, Refreshing Spring Cocktails to Welcome the Season

Chock-full of fresh seasonal ingredients, these drinks are the perfect way to ring in spring.

By SAVEUR Editors
Updated: March 20, 2019

Spring is finally upon us! It's officially time to frolic, and we can't think of a better way to do that than with a well-balanced cocktail in hand. Whether you prefer vodka, gin, or whiskey, edible flowers are always a solid move when getting into the swing of spring, from pretty-in-pink cherry blossoms to delicate pastel pansies. Not feeling flowery? No big deal. Fresh basil is always a solid choice, or turn up the volume with a whole bunch of herbs. You can't go wrong with any of our favorite spring cocktails—the vibrant colors and fresh flavors are just the thing for celebrating the end of winter.

Sakura Martini

Sakura Martini
Tokyo native Kenta Goto of Bar Goto in New York City has elevated the once-maligned saketini to a state of floral elegance by mixing Plymouth gin with oak-aged Junmai sake, sweet maraschino liqueur, and salted cherry blossoms. Get the recipe for Sakura Martini »Matt Taylor-Gross

Hibiscus Rose Vesper

hibiscus rose vesper
To kick its flavor up a notch, this rosy pink cocktail calls for craft-distilled, Plantation vodka. Get the recipe for Hibiscus Rose Vesper »Todd Coleman

Basil Martini

Basil Martini
Herbal flavors have a natural affinity for gin, so we're using basil in this martini riff. It's a real illustration of how dramatically an herb garnish can affect a drink—there's no basil in the drink itself, just a good gin, dry vermouth, and the aperitif Cocchi Americano—but the bright burst of basil scent on the nose brings an herbal element to the entire cocktail. Get the recipe for Basil Martini »Matt Taylor-Gross

Everything's Coming Up Rosé

Everythings Coming Up Rosé
This bright fuchsia aperitivo mixes tannic hibiscus tea, sweet Lillet Rosé, and dry rosé with a hit of prosecco. Get the recipe for Everything's Coming Up Rosé »Matt Taylor-Gross

Golden Chrysanthemum Champagne

Golden Chrysanthemum Champagne Cocktail
Tokyo native Kenta Goto pays tribute to the beloved Japanese golden chrysanthemum flower with this amber, pear-flavored Champagne elixir. Get the recipe for Golden Chrysanthemum Champagne »Matt Taylor-Gross

Floral Old Fashioned

Floral Old Fashioned Cocktail
Cameron Johnston of Gleneagles Hotel designed this drink for those who don't usually go for a Scotch drink; chamomile syrup and Dalwhinnie 15 combine for a delicate cocktail with a still-smoky finish. Get the recipe for Floral Old Fashioned »Matt Taylor-Gross

Sweet Talking Son Cocktail

Sweet Talking Son Cocktail
A cross between a sazerac and a whiskey smash, this cocktail recipe by Suffolk Arms head bartender Caitlin Ryan highlights the versatility of Copper & Kings American Craft Brandy, a brandy made in the American bourbon tradition. Unbeknownst to many, the traditional sazerac recipe called for brandy, as opposed to rye. Playing off Copper & Kings' musical ethos—all barrels are sonically-aged, with music used to agitate the spirit—the name of the cocktail comes from a line in Dusty Springfield's "Son of a Preacher Man." Get the recipe for Sweet Talking Son Cocktail »Matt Taylor-Gross

Gin Campari Sour

Gin Campari Sour
Sometimes we like cocktails to have a bit of an aggressive bite; other times, we're looking to round them out a bit. Gin, Campari, and lemon are three ingredients that pair beautifully, but all have their sharp edges. Adding an egg white helps mellow and integrate these flavors without muting them, while also contributing a silky texture and an opacity that's quite elegant in a vividly colored drink. Get the recipe for Gin Campari Sour »Matt Taylor-Gross

Antilles Cocktail

Antilles cocktail
Orange flower water makes a wonderful accent to armagnac's notes of dried fruit and vanilla; combined with vermouth, the result is a delicately sweet, subtly floral cocktail that's perfect as an after-dinner drink. Get the recipe for the Antilles Cocktail »Laura Sant

Bee's Knees Cocktail

Bees Knees
This cocktail, a gin sour that's believed to have been created around that time, used lemon and honey to mask the harsh smell of bathtub gin. If your guest wants something refreshing with gin, look no further. Get the recipe for Bee's Knees Cocktail »Matt Taylor-Gross

The Verbena and Mint

The Verbena and Mint Cocktail
Bar manager Jon di Pinto of Street ADL in Adelaide, South Australia, combines lemon verbena and gin for a crisp, refreshing summer cocktail. Get the recipe for The Verbena and Mint »Matt Taylor-Gross

Elderflower Old Fashioned

Elderflower Old Fashioned
Elderflower liqueur replaces the traditional sugar cube in this floral twist on an old favorite. Get the recipe for Elderflower Old Fashioned »Laura Sant

Lavender Sour

Lavender Cocktail
JB Bernstein, bar manager at Vernick Food & Drink in Philadelphia, celebrates summer with this simple, floral gin cocktail, sweetened with lavender-infused syrup and garnished with lavender dust. Get the recipe for Lavender Sour »Matt Taylor-Gross

Water Lily

Water Lily
Crème de violette adds sweetness and an arresting purple color to a tart mix of gin, lemon juice, and triple sec in a cocktail based on one from Manhattan bar PDT. Get the recipe for Water Lily »Laura Sant

The Improved Pendennis Cocktail

Pendennis Cocktail
Pretty in pink with a delicate froth, this apricot-gin cocktail has a mesmerizing balance of floral, citrus, and fruity flavors. Get the recipe for The Improved Pendennis Cocktail »Matt Taylor-Gross

Rhubarb Fizz

Rhubarb Fizz
This bubbly cocktail makes the most of rhubarb season. Get the recipe for Rhubarb Fizz »Helen Rosner

Lavender Paloma

Lavender Paloma
Our twist on the classic tequila and grapefruit cocktail uses mezcal, fresh grapefruit juice, and lavender simple syrup for a drink that's simultaneously smoky, bright, and floral. Get the recipe for Lavender Paloma »Laura Sant

Thousand-Dollar Mint Julep

Thousand-Dollar Mint Julep
This version of the classic three-ingredient cocktail—which combines three parts bourbon to one part of a simple syrup bracingly infused with fresh spearmint—is sanctioned by the Kentucky Derby itself as their official mint julep recipe. Get the recipe for Thousand-Dollar Mint Julep »Helen Rosner

Blooming Champagne Cocktail

Hibiscus rose champagne cocktail
A single hibiscus flower scented with a drop or two of rose water turns a simple glass of sparkling wine into a show-stopping cocktail. Get the recipe for the Blooming Champagne Cocktail »Laura Sant

Pink Negroni

Pink Negroni
Light, orangey Lillet Blanc and fresh lemon juice brighten a springlike twist on the Negroni. Tarragon and tart, hibiscus-based Burlesque Bitters from Bittermens add floral, herbaceous notes. Get the recipe for Pink Negroni »Zoe Schaeffer

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