20 Spring Cocktails to Make This Season

As those of us in chillier climes finally thaw out from winter, springtime brings visions of garden parties, cardigan-clad picnic outings and, of course, spring cocktails.

What makes a cocktail appropriate for spring? Naturally, you can sip anything you choose, but we think of spring cocktails as lighter-side libations appropriate for lunch or brunch-hour affairs. These drinks lean on ingredients that herald the season’s bounty—carrots, peas and other garden fare—not to mention floral and herbaceous elements.

Many of these drinks are appropriate for an Easter gathering, where the traditional fare similarly hits on themes of rebirth. Others are suitable for Passover, so long as you make sure all the ingredients meet the holiday’s dietary specifications. Others still are ideal for every springtime moment in between, whether that’s a park hang with friends (a pre-batched spring cocktail conveniently stashed in a thermos) or a solitary moment on the balcony, stealing sips while listening to birds chirp.

In short, these are drinks that remind us life begins anew each year. And isn’t that something worth celebrating?

Yellow Bell Pepper Mary

Golden-hued bell peppers, pineapple juice, yellow beet juice and mango nectar put a bright and sunny spin on the classic Bloody Mary. The Yellow Bell Pepper Mary gets an extra zing from white balsamic vinegar and horseradish.

Gin Daisy

With a name like the Gin Daisy, it’s hard to imagine a more spring-appropriate sipper. The drink combines herbal and floral gin with fruity orange liqueur and grenadine, all topped off with soda water.

Bunny in a Top Hat

Here’s one for the NA crowd. Vegetal and vividly hued thanks to carrot-orange juice, the zero-proof Bunny in a Top Hat accommodates those who might like to drink their veggies.