Spring: the time when the world comes to life. Blossoms are around every corner, the bees are beginning to buzz, and the Earth once again awakens. What could be better?
Well, we might be biased but we think enjoying the beauty of nature is all the better with a floral cocktail. So whether you prefer a bold whiskey or soft gin drink, we have just the thing for you.
Elderflower Martini
The elderflower martini is classic and regal, with soft elderflower flavors that keep those floral notes in check. Of course, gin is an obvious base spirit, but vodka or even coconut rum makes for the perfect floral complement.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces gin
- ¾ ounce dry vermouth
- ¼ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¼ ounce elderflower liqueur
- Ice
- Lemon wheel for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, gin, dry vermouth, lemon juice, and elderflower liqueur.
- Shake to chill.
- Double strain into the chilled glass.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel.
Quick Tip
Use just an ounce of gin, and after straining your chilled martini into the glass, top off with an ounce of prosecco for a bubbly bouquet of flavor.
Floral Margarita
If bees could have a margarita, we're pretty sure it would be this rosy margarita. And, who knows, maybe they'd be less likely to sting with this floral cocktail that's sure to give anyone a rosy outlook on life.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces rose-infused silver tequila
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¾ ounce vanilla simple syrup
- ¼ ounce orange liqueur
- Ice
- Rosemary sprig for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, rose tequila, lemon juice, vanilla simple syrup, and orange liqueur.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a rosemary sprig.
Rose's Martini
When you lay down in the grass, admiring the clouds floating by overhead, while your to-do list lays quietly in the house, make sure you bring this martini out with you. Rest can be productive, and what better way to rest than with a bevvie in hand.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces rose vodka
- ½ ounce raspberry liqueur
- ¼ ounce white grape juice
- ¼ ounce simple syrup
- Ice
- Strawberry slice for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, rose vodka, raspberry liqueur, white grape juice, and simple syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into the chilled glass.
- Garnish with a strawberry slice.
Blossoming Lilac Spritzer
Violets, roses, lavender, elderflower all get the spotlight when it comes to classic floral flavors. But don't count out soft, honeyed, and sweet lilac.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces lilac gin
- ¼ ounce black raspberry liqueur
- 4 ounces tonic water
- Ice
- Orange peel for garnish
Instructions
- In a wine glass, add ice, lilac gin, blackberry liqueur, and tonic water.
- Stir briefly to mix.
- Garnish with an orange peel.
Pollinator Old-Fashioned
If you're looking for a floral cocktail that's less sweet and far more bold, then stir up this old-fashioned that's got a bite with soft honey notes to remind you of the blossoms outside.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce honey whiskey
- 1 ounce bourbon
- ½ ounce lemon simple syrup
- 3-4 dashes peach bitters
- 1-2 dashes orange bitters
- Ice
- Orange peel for garnish
Instructions
- In a mixing glass, add ice, honey whiskey, bourbon, lemon simple syrup, and bitters.
- Stir rapidly to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with an orange peel.
Quick Tip
Punch up the floral notes by skipping the lemon simple syrup and using elderflower, rose, or hibiscus simple syrup instead.
Lost in a Daydream
When that list is done (seeds planted, watered, and admired) plus the dirt (mostly) scrubbed from underneath your nails, that means it's time for a reward. And this flowery cocktail is a reward indeed.
Ingredients
- ½ ounce elderflower liqueur
- 1 ounce Aperol
- 1 ounce lemonade
- Ice
- 2 ounces prosecco
- Edible flowers for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, elderflower liqueur, Aperol, and lemonade.
- Shake to chill.
- Double strain into the chilled glass.
- Top off with prosecco.
- Garnish with edible flowers.
It Can Wait
The tasks that need to be done? It can wait. Grab a book, grab a blanket, but first, grab a cocktail shaker. Then let the rest of the world know, it can wait.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces dark rum
- 1½ ounce pineapple juice
- ¾ ounce hibiscus simple syrup
- ½ ounce Campari
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- Ice
- Food-safe flowers for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, dark rum, pineapple juice, hibiscus simple syrup, Campari, and lime juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with food-safe flowers.
Mixology Meets Botany
Those bees, butterflies, and lady bugs may not have a bug bar they can belly up to. Although, now that we're thinking about it, we'd totally be regulars at that bar. But since they can't, it's our responsibility to drink up the beauty of nature. And that's just what these floral cocktails do.
