Brian Nagele
Gin plays a role in many of the best cocktails for its robust flavor. In addition to juniper notes, other botanical flavors give this spirit a profile perfect for pairing in refreshing spring drinks.
These spring gin cocktails incorporate fresh ingredients, many of which become available as the weather warms. Whether you prefer fruit notes or herbal elements, you’ll find something you love on this list.
From new creations to spring-themed takes on classic cocktails, these drinks provide the perfect accompaniment for any occasion. While these drinks make me think of spring, they’re great for enjoying during the rest of the year too.
This drink uses the classic pairing of gin and citrus, using lemon and ruby red grapefruit juices.
The addition of sweet agave nectar contrasts these tart flavors. For me, the balance between these flavors makes this drink shine.
Top your April Showers Cocktail with an edible flower for a beautiful presentation.
A Spring and Tonic Cocktail has some distinct differences from the traditional gin cocktail, making it an excellent choice for spring gatherings.
First, the recipe adds Pisco, making this drink stronger while adding subtle grape notes.
While a traditional gin and tonic typically uses a lime garnish, mint adds extra herbaceous notes to this rendition.
This cocktail is one of my favorites to serve at adult tea parties.
The sophisticated Spring Gin Flip mixes gin with brewed chamomile tea, creating a soothing botanical flavor sweetened with a small amount of sugar.
A few dashes of bitters add contrasting notes to the cocktail, ensuring a pleasant, well-balanced character.
The Bee’s Knees Cocktail highlights sweet honey flavors with bright citrus from fresh lemon juice.
This recipe includes instructions on making a honey simple syrup, which is one of only three ingredients you’ll need to make the cocktail.
The ease of preparation and uncomplicated refreshing flavors make this gin drink a personal favorite.
In many places around the world, beautiful pink cherry blossoms mark spring's arrival.
In addition to a pink gin, the Cherry Blossom Gin Cocktail calls for maraschino and elderflower liqueurs, adding color and delicate flower and fruity notes.
Lavender bitters contrast with lemon juice creating a vibrant pink cocktail with lots of subtle flavors.
Though this recipe requires more steps than most, I think it’s well worth the effort.
First, you’ll need to infuse cardamom into your favorite gin, which takes 24 hours. The recipe also calls for a rosemary syrup, which, combined with grapefruit juice, creates an herbaceous base to mix with the spicy gin.
Top with prosecco and serve with a citrus garnish.
The three-ingredient Blackberry Bramble Cocktail showcases one of my favorite parts of late spring: fresh berries.
Blackberries are used in a simple syrup, sweetening the cocktail and bringing tart, fruity notes to the cocktail.
These rich flavors contrast with bright lemon juice while highlighting the botanical undertones in the gin.
Like other spring gin cocktails, the Raspberry Gin Fizz calls for a simple syrup made from berries.
This recipe uses raspberries, creating tart yet sweet flavors enhanced with the addition of sugar.
Lemon juice brightens the other tastes in the cocktail, while soda water makes for a bubbly finish in this gin drink.
The lavender season starts in June, which means the herb can be incorporated into spring gin cocktails with rich botanical flavors.
This Lavender Gin Sour calls for a lavender simple syrup in contrast with bright tones from fresh lemon and lime juices.
Plus, the process is easy, combine these ingredients with gin, shake, and serve over ice.
If you love tart cocktails, try this Rhubarb Gin and Tonic. The recipe incorporates rhubarb into a simple syrup, balancing sweetness with the tart flavor of the vegetable.
Lime juice adds some more sour notes, but all are subdued to just the right amount with chilled tonic water and served over ice.
Add the flavor of elderflowers with a simple syrup you can purchase instead of make. This sweet syrup delivers pleasant floral notes into any cocktail.
In the English Garden Gin Cocktail, you combine this syrup with gin as well as lime and apple juices. The resulting drink is fruity, sweet, and perfect for spring.
