Cocktails for spring
Diageo World Class bartenders share their springtime cocktail recipes
It’s the time of the year when cocktail ingredients such as fresh fruits, herbs and the occasional lavender stalk begin headlining our bar menus. Sweet, succulent seasonal ingredients are the order of the day, so here’s a springtime cocktail collection by Diageo World Class bartender winners Tim Philips, Manabu Ohtake and Erik Lorincz to inspire your drink serves this season.
Cocktail Recipes
SPRING COLLINS
A true spring cocktail classic, bartender Tim Philips’ interpretation of this light and vibrant cocktail combines the crisp, fresh notes of CÎROC Vodka with the sweetness of vanilla to give this cocktail an elegant twist.
Glass: Highball
Garnish: Lavender flower
METHOD:
Shake all cocktail ingredients and strain over ice in a highball.
- 1.75 oz. CÎROC Vodka
- .75 oz. freshly squeezed lemon juice
- .5 oz. vanilla syrup
- 5 lavender flowers
GREEN SEASON
As the days begin to heat up, the coolness of cucumber combined with the sweetness of agave nectar and DON JULIO REPOSADO Tequila make this cocktail, created by bartender Manabu Ohtake, a sumptuous spring cocktail drink.
- 1.5 oz. DON JULIO ® REPOSADO Tequila
- .75 oz. fresh cucumber
- 3 large shiso leaves
- .5 oz. agave nectar
- 1 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 dash celery bitters
Glass: Old fashioned
Garnish: Half rim with a lime half and coat with chili salt. Decorate with shiso and cucumber.
METHOD:
Muddle the cucumber, shiso leaves and agave nectar in the base of a mixing glass before adding the other ingredients with ice. Shake and strain into an ice-filled glass.
SPRING GARDEN
Bartender Erik Lorincz has used cocktail ingredients such as mint, seasonal raspberries, sweet apple and lemon juice bring this spring drink to life.
Glass: Collins
Garnish: Mint sprig and raspberry
METHOD:
Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into an ice-filled glass.
.75 oz. KETEL ONE Vodka
.5 oz. simple syrup
.75 oz. freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 oz. pressed apple juice
3 fresh raspberries
8 fresh mint leaves