Brian Nagele
Unlike some other spirits, whiskey can be used to make drinks for any season.
Some of the best recipes provide the perfect balance of strong liquor paired with fresh ingredients. During spring, this means lots of citrus, herbs, and berries.
These elements create refreshing cocktails, perfect for enjoying together or sipping casually at home.
For the best spring whiskey cocktails, check out some of these examples! Many of these cocktails recreate well-known recipes with a twist, making them perfect for the season.
Whether you prefer herbaceous or fruity drinks, you’ll find something delightful on this list.
A fresh take on the classic cocktail, the Blushing Whiskey Sour incorporates berries into the traditional recipe.
Shake all the ingredients together, creating the cocktail’s blush color while adding hints of tartness from the blackberries.
Instead of lemon juice, this drink calls for lemon simple syrup adding a mix of sweet and sour flavors that make this cocktail one of my favorites.
Check out this recipe for one of the easiest-to-make cocktails on this list, with basically only two ingredients.
Add whiskey and water to your favorite frozen lemonade and shake. While this varies depending on your choice of spirit, I love how the accompaniment of lemon brings out sweeter notes in the whiskey.
A no-frills favorite, Whiskey Lemonade provides a cocktail perfect for sipping on the porch.
The mix of fragrant basil and ripe strawberries makes this one of my favorite spring whiskey cocktails. The spirits used in the drink stand out as well.
This Strawberry Basil Smash calls for ginger-spiced whiskey, giving a hint of heat to the cocktail, as well as elderflower liqueur, resulting in a strong and flavorful drink!
Follow this recipe to create the Spring Citrus Whiskey Slushie Cocktail, perfect for the end of spring when the weather begins to warm.
This recipe makes around 15 servings, so it’s ideal for a party!
Citrus and tea combine with spicy rye whiskey, making this a more intriguing rendition than other slushie cocktails I’ve had in the past.
This recipe takes a refreshing twist on the strawberry basil pairing for this cocktail. Rather than using lemon to meld the flavors together, lime juice highlights sour notes in the drink.
After adding your preferred whiskey and giving it a good shake, you’ll top the cocktail with ginger beer, creating a tasty but not overly sweet Strawberry Basil Whiskey Cocktail.
Bourbon works best in the Orange Blossom Whiskey Sour since the spirit brings subtle sweetness.
These flavors meld perfectly with the citrusy orange blossom simple syrup, though you can sub for orange blossom water if you want something less sweet.
Lemon juice brightens the mix, creating a vibrant drink perfect for brunch!
The Blackberry Whiskey Cocktail calls for a rye whiskey, adding spicy elements to the fruity cocktail, making it one of my favorites.
Blackberries are introduced through a simple syrup, adding layers of tart sweetness enhanced by the brightness of the lime juice.
Mint adds more subtle spiciness, creating an intriguing cocktail!
Another example of a spring whiskey cocktail incorporating tea, the Honey Chamomile Whiskey Cocktail, features several soothing ingredients, perfect for relaxing.
It can be served hot or cold, which I love since spring weather can be unpredictable.
A honey bourbon and rye whiskey give this pleasant cocktail a nice kick.
The Basil Julep takes several twists on the classic it recreates.
The recipe swaps mint for basil and rye whiskey for bourbon in this spring cocktail, creating an herbaceous cocktail with lots of spicy notes!
A simple syrup provides a hint of sweetness, contrasting the flavors in this well-balanced cocktail.
Another take on the popular classic, the Pomegranate Whiskey Sour, uses a pomegranate liqueur to add flavor in addition to your favorite whiskey.
Fresh lemon juice and simple syrup add a fresh taste and sweetness.
Like the traditional cocktail, this rendition uses egg whites, creating a foamy top, one of my favorite elements of any drink!