The Best Spring Cocktails to Try this Weekend

Ditch the heavy reds for a very-berry margarita, upgrade your negroni to a light and aromatic mandarin gimlet and pass on the pale ale for a dreamy passionfruit-vodka blend. To help hone your mixology at home skills, here is our round-up of the best spring cocktail recipes, certain to uplift your spirits like the longer, warmer nights ahead.

Spring Has Sprung

Easy to make and even easier to drink, Melbourne favourite Poodle Bar & Bistro’s Spring Has Sprung cocktail is refreshing, floral and hugely impressive. Best enjoyed on a balmy spring evening, extra virgin olive oil gives this warm-weather drink a buttery mouthfeel.

Ingredients:

·        30ml Ketel Vodka
·        30ml St Germain Elderflower
·        45ml Pear juice
·        40ml Lemon juice
·        10ml Simple syrup
·        3 Coriander sprigs
·        Garnish - 5-10 drops of extra virgin olive oil

Method:

·        Add all ingredients into a Boston shaker
·        Shake vigorously for 15 seconds
·        Double strain into a chilled coupe glass
·        Carefully drop the EVOO on top to serve

Lemon Balm Martini

A beautiful combination of sour and sweet, this lemon balm martini is perfect for an afternoon sitting out in the sunshine, with a sharp cheese, hunk of baguette and an abundance of Sicilian olives on hand.

Ingredients:

·        25ml The Botanist Gin
·        25ml Dry Vermouth
·        25ml Lemon Juice
·        25ml Sugar Syrup
·        Garnish: 4 sprigs of lemon balm
 
Method:

·        Muddle the lemon balm in a shaker.
·        Add The Botanist Gin, dry vermouth, lemon juice, sugar syrup and ice.
·        Shake well, strain and pour into a martini glass.
·        Garnish with lemon balm.

Mandarin Gimlet

Sweet, tart, tangy and refreshing, this recipe is perfect at any dinner or garden party.

Ingredients:

·        45ml The Botanist Gin
·        20ml Mandarin Juice
·        10ml Lime Juice
·        15ml Sugar Syrup
·        Garnish: lime skin disc

Method:

·        Add all ingredients to an ice-filled glass.
·        Shake and fine stir into a chilled cocktail glass.
·        Spray lime disc over the cocktail and drop in.

French 75 -Classic Cocktail

This a drink that goes down easy but packs a punch; crisp, citrusy and effervescent.

Ingredients:

·        30ml The Botanist
·        15ml Lemon Juice
·        10ml Sugar Syrup
·        Top with Champagne
·        Garnish: Lemon Twist
 
Method:

·        Add Gin, lemon and sugar syrup to a shaker filled with ice.
·        Shake and fine strain into a chilled champagne glass.
·        Top with champagne and garnish with lemon twist.

The RitaRita recipe

This cocktail shouts springtime from the rooftops, with a fruity, sweet yet balanced style that’s oh-so-addictive!

Ingredients:

·        60ml Próspero Blanco Tequila
·        40ml Fresh strawberries, pureed
·        1 Bar spoon balsamic vinegar
·        15ml Orange liqueur
·        20ml oz Lime juice
·        30ml Wildflower honey
·        3-4 Leaves fresh basil
 
Method:

·        Pour Próspero Blanco Tequila, strawberry puree, balsamic vinegar, orange liqueur, lime juice and honey into a shaker with ice.
·        Shake vigorously.
·        Strain into a margarita glass and garnish with fresh basil leaves.

The Langham Hotel Sydney’s “La Señorita”

This drink is a real lady!

Ingredients:

· 45ml Próspero Anejo
· 35ml Grapefruit juice
· 15ml Lime juice
· 15ml Grenadine
· 15ml Agave
 
Method:

· Shake ingredients and then fine strain the cocktail over ice in a rocks glass.
· Garnish with thyme, flowers and lime.

Camille Vidal’s “RITALOMA”

This one’s a more mindful, lower-alcohol based cocktail, super refreshing and unique. Raise your glass and say sante!

Ingredients:

· 30ml Próspero Blanco
· 15ml Apple cider vinegar
· 15ml Lime juice
· 30ml Agave syrup
· 5ml Rose water
· Pince of salt
· Top with Grapefruit Mixer

Method:

· Shake ingredients and pour over ice in a highball glass.
· Garnish with a rose and salt rim with a grapefruit slice.

Berry Margarita

Very berry, let’s all be merry. Sour and fruity, it produces a beautiful and bright pink colour that is seducing to even the most shy of cocktail amateurs.

Ingredients:

·        30ml Cointreau 
·        45ml Blanco Tequila
·        20ml Fresh Lime Juice
·        4 Fresh Blackberries
 
Method:

·        Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker
·        Add ice and shake until well-chilled
·        Strain into a chilled Old Fashioned glass
·        Garnish with a blackberry

Frozen Passionfruit Margarita

One of Cointreau’s most loved Margaritas, made even better with this frozen version.

Ingredients:

·        20ml Cointreau
·        20ml Patron Tequila
·        10ml Fresh Lime Juice
·        10ml Passoa
·        Ice
·        Garnish with edible flowers

Method:

·        Pour ingredients into a blender with ice cubes.
·        Pour into a chilled salt-rimmed glass.
·        Garnish with edible flowers.

The Porn Star Martini

One of the most popular cocktails, and for good reason, this recipe can be whipped up in a flash. We love the ritual of shooting back a prosecco at the end.

Ingredients:

·        40ml Passoa
·        40ml Vodka
·        10ml Vanilla Syrup
·        10ml Lime Juice
·        ½ Passion fruit

 Method:

·        Shake all ingredients with ice. 
·        Strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass.
·        Garnish with the other passion fruit half and serve with a shot of champagne or prosecco.

Passoa Spritz

A wonderfully balanced spritz that combines the sweetness of Passoa with the light citrus and ginger from the lime and ginger beer. Lip-smackingly fresh!

Ingredients:

·        45ml Passoa
·        10ml Lime
·        Ginger Beer
·        Lime Wheel
·        Mint Sprig
 
Method:

·        Combine all ingredients into a wine glass and fill with ? ice. 
·        Top with Ginger Beer and lightly churn.
·        Garnish with Mint Spring and lime wheel.

Passoa Sangria

Easy to make and share, bring it to your next street party to become an instant life-of-the-party. The perfect drink for celebration. 

Ingredients:

·        350ml Passoa
·        700ml Rosè Wine
·        200ml Fresh Orange Juice
·        100ml Lemonade
·        Fresh Oranges, Strawberries, Blueberries, Mango
 
Method:

·        Add ice and fruit to a punch bowl.
·        Add Passoa and Rosè wine, stir and serve.

Mirabeau Pink Gimlet

Embrace the Provencal lifestyle with this dreamy gimlet, perfect for long, leisurely evenings spent with loved ones.

Ingredients:

• 50ml Mirabeau Dry Rosé Gin
• 25ml Simple Syrup
• 50ml Lime Juice
• 75ml Mirabeau Pure

Method:

• Combine all ingredients into an ice-filled cocktail shaker.
• Shake together and pour into a coupe glass filled with crushed ice.
• Garnish with half wheel of lime and sprigs of thyme.

Mirabeau Margarita

What do you get when you mix the ever-popular margarita with a glass of rose…oh boy, only the greatest idea ever! These delectable Rosé Margaritas are exactly what you need for parties, BBQs, or picnics (any excuse you can think of). They look fantastic and taste even better!

Ingredients:

• 45ml Mirabeau Gin
• 45ml Fresh Grapefruit Juice
• 15ml Fresh Lemon Juice
• Juice from 1 wedge of lime
• 90ml Spicy Ginger Beer by Cap

Method:

• In a filled cocktail shaker, combine the Mirabeau Gin and juices
• Shake vigorously and pour into a prepared glass.
• Top it up with a spicy ginger beer and garnish with the quarter wheels of grapefruit.

Prepare your glasses

• Place the grapefruit juice in a bowl.
• On a plate, combine the zest and sugar.
• Dip the rim of the coupe or martini glass into the juice first, shake off the excess liquid, then let it kiss the sugar mixture to coat the rim evenly.
• Fill the glass with ice.

Looking to add a little extra spring to your step? Make your way through Melbourne’s best happy hours and explore more of Melbourne’s drink scene with our round up of the most romantic cocktail bars and rooftop bars in town. If you’re keen to expand upon your mixology skillset, click here for our pick of 8 fun margarita recipes.