Spring Cocktail Magic!

When spring arrives, it’s imperative that you up the game with your aperitifs. It’s the season for outdoor fun, and what goes better with that than some refreshing, festive spirits? We’ve gathered all the best seasonal fruit to make your next party an absolute success, whether you choose to add alcohol or to just soak up the fresh, fruity vibes. From the sake-infused Cherry Blossom-tini to a yummy Strawberry Basil Margarita, and rounding it out with a Sparkling Ginger Lemon Mocktail, there’s something for everyone. Cheers to you!

Cherry Blossom-Tini

Everyone needs a good mixologist, and we were grateful that The Spruce Eats introduced us to Allen Katz, who created the Cherry Blossom-tini. Easy and delicious!

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 ounces Sake
  • 1/2-ounce Premium Triple Sec
  • 1/2-ounce Cranberry Juice
  • 1 splash freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 2 dashes Orange Bitters

In a cocktail shaker, pour the sake, triple sec, cranberry juice, lime juice, and bitters. Fill with ice. Shake well. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Serve and enjoy.

Strawberry Basil Margarita

Some may call this Strawberry Basil Margarita recipe cheating, but we just call it a chance to spend more time having fun instead of working away in the kitchen. Our friends at thekitchn.com posted a tasty way to turn Cinco de Mayo into a month-long party.

Ingredients

  • 1 can (12 ounces) frozen limeade concentrate
  • 10 strawberries (or 12 if you're using smaller ones from the farmer's market or your backyard)
  • 8 basil leaves
  • 2 to 2 1/2 cups tequila (splurge for the good stuff & your body will thank us later)

Instructions

  1. Empty the limeade concentrate into a pitcher. Add 2 1/2 cans of water and 1 1/2 (18 ounces, or 2 1/4 cups) cans of tequila (or a bit less, if you don't want your drinks to be quite as strong).
  2. Hull the strawberries, slice lengthwise, and add to the pitcher. Crumple the basil a little in your hands (this will help the basil flavor release into the drink) and add it to the pitcher, too.
  3. Place the pitcher, covered, in the fridge overnight, or for at least four hours. When you remove the pitcher from the fridge, your margaritas will be a lovely pale pink color. Now all you have to do is serve them and wait for the compliments to pour in.

Sparkling Ginger Lemon Mocktail

As we enjoy the last of winter’s citrus fruits, we toast to delicious lemons, spicy ginger and a fantastic excuse to combine them together in a bubbly treat. The Snixy Kitchen has lovely story about an engagement story that ended with these celebratory mocktails, and we hope you get just as much joy out of drinking them.

Ingredients

  • 3 inches of fresh ginger root, peeled and sliced into coins
  • ¾ cup sugar, plus extra for tossing the ginger and rimming the cup
  • 1½ cups water
  • ½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 4-6 lemons)
  • Seltzer water to fill the glasses (about 3 cups)

Instructions

  1. Slice the ginger root coins into slivers.
  2. Heat the sugar, water, and ginger slivers over medium high heat, stirring until the sugar melts. Let boil for about 20 minutes, until the syrup begins to thicken. Remove from heat, strain the ginger slivers out, let cool.
  3. Lay the ginger slivers on a baking sheet to cool. After about 5 minutes, toss with about a tablespoon of sugar. Let cool.
  4. Wet the edge of each wine glass and dip it in sugar to coat the rim.
  5. Divide the cooled ginger syrup between four glasses. Divide the lemon juice between the four glasses. Fill each glass with seltzer water.
  6. Garnish with a piece of candied ginger. Stir before serving.

Let spring be filled with many opportunities to clink glasses with the people you love, so that you can wish them good health, good luck and good times together.



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