As avid eventgoers know, the best happenings always involve something seasonal and unique in the cocktail category. Here's what we're seeing served this spring, from twists on old favorites to new flavor profiles in line with the season's blooms.
Trend: Spring-Inspired
Lillet French Blonde
Ingredients:
1⁄2 oz Elderflower liqueur, like St. Germain
1 oz Dry gin
2 oz Lillet Blanc
2 oz Fresh grapefruit juice
A few dashes lemon bitters
Method: Shake together all ingredients in an ice-filled cocktail shaker for at least 30 seconds. Strain into a martini glass.
Peach & Thai Basil Margarita
Ingredients:
2 oz Tequila Herradura Silver
1 oz Fresh lime juice
1/2 oz Agave nectar
Peach slices, muddled (or fresh peach puree)
Thai Basil (or basil and mint)
Method: Muddle peach slices in a shaker. Add all remaining ingredients, including Thai Basil. Top with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a glass over fresh ice and garnish with Thai Basil.
Trend: Twist on A Classic
Chai Espresso Martini | SUBMERCER, NY
Ingredients
1.5oz - Chopin Vodka
1.5oz - Fresh Espresso
.75oz - Black Tea Chai Reduction
.5oz - Cazcabel Coffee Liqueur
Black Tea Chai Reduction
2.5 quart containers Cane Sugar
2 quart containers water
1.5 quart containers Vanilla syrup
4 oz Star Anise
2 oz cardamom
1 large iced tea bag
10 cinnamon sticks
2 oz espresso beans
750ml (1 bottle) of Ron Zacapa
8 oz espresso (beans for infusion)
1 Pinch of salt
Bring everything to a boil and reduce for 10 minutes on low
Method: Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice, shake and strain into a martini glass.
Compass Box Old Fashioned | Sage Plant Based Bistro & Brewery, LA
Ingredients:
2 oz of Compass Box Artist Blend Whisky (instead of standard bourbon)
2 cubes of brown sugar
2 dashes of orange bitters
Method: Muddle brown sugar with orange bitters, large ice cubes and pour over the cube. Stir it till diluted properly.Garnished with orange peel, ginger candy and Luxardo cherry.
Cantera Negra Dolce Noche
Ingredients:
2 parts Espresso
1 part Cantera Negra Café Coffee Liqueur
.25 part Sweetened condensed milk
Method: Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously. Double strain into chilled coupe or martini glass. Garnish with cinnamon powder.
Trend: Bring the Heat
Perfectly Spicy™ Margarita
Ingredients:
Ghost Tequila
Agave nectar
Lime juice
Method: Mix all ingredients, add lime juice for tanginess and top off with a salt rim and lime garnish.
Trend: Crisp and Refreshing
Alamos Spritz
Ingredients:
1 ½ oz Kilinga Bacanora Blanco
1 ½ oz Sweet Vermouth
1 oz Aperol
5 oz Sparkling water
Method: Add all ingredients to a large wine glass. Fill with ice cubes. Garnish with seasonal berries, lemon wheel, lemon twist and a cucumber slice.
