39 Spring Cocktails to Toast the New Season

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleasing, special occasion–worthy

This cocktail truly tastes like the iconic dessert, thanks to homemade graham cracker syrup—which can be made up to two weeks in advance—and a fluffy layer of lime zest cold foam. (Psst: The secret to getting those layers just right? Pour the cold foam over the back of a spoon and let it waterfall into your coupe glass. That gentler pour will keep it from swirling into the gin/lime/graham cracker syrup base.)

• Time Commitment: 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleasing, special occasion–worthy, <10 ingredients, <15 minutes

All too often, mocktails taste like over-sweetened juice. Yawn. Not the case with these Spicy Zerojitos, which provide a roller coaster of flavor with each sip. You've got a building heat from the jalapeño, which pairs nicely with the chili salt rim, and is tempered by the muddled mint. Those flavors may sound extreme, but it's all balanced out by a crisp citrus finish and a light effervescence, thanks to our secret ingredient: Sprite Zero Sugar.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleasing, special occasion–worthy, <10 ingredients

By swapping the usual vermouth rosso for Lillet Blanc (a French wine-based apertif known for its honey and floral notes), these pink sippers are lighter, sweeter and more floral than the O.G. Negroni.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion–worthy

I always look forward to the arrival of rhubarb at the farmers market, so this year, I'm snatching up a big bunch and turning it into a cocktail. If you’re not into spicy drinks, skip infusing the tequila.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, ready in <15 minutes, special occasion–worthy

The sun is *finally* shining and I'm busting out my blender to celebrate the occasion. (If you don’t have fresh strawberries at the ready, feel free to use frozen.)

• Time Commitment: 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy, low carb

I love the way the tanginess of the hibiscus pairs with the spicy ginger liqueur. For the biggest impact, use whole hibiscus flowers—you can buy ’em online.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion­–worthy

Nothing says “first outdoor brunch of the season” like a big batch of berry punch (spiked with brandy, of course). I love not playing bartender with a cocktail shaker; you simply pour the ingredients into the bowl and give it a little stir, then let guests serve themselves, so you actually get to enjoy your party.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy

Upgrade your favorite bottle of dry rosé with homemade lemonade and a lavender simple syrup that’s surprisingly easy to make. You'll rub dried lavender and lemon zest into sugar for about two minutes, gently releasing the oils into the sugar and infusing it with flavor, before combining it with water and a little salt and boiling it into a syrup. It's oddly satisfying, to be honest.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, special occasion–worthy

What says spring more than a light, refreshing and floral cocktail? Everyone will think you’re a fancy mixologist with this one.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion–worthy, ready in <15 minutes, low carb

A gimlet is a lot like a martini, but with lime juice instead of vermouth. Translation: It’s herbaceous but sour and just the thing to sip on a warm(ish) day.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy

Imagine if you served this cucumber-lime number in place of green beer on St. Patrick’s Day. You’d basically be, well, a saint.

• Time Commitment: 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, ready in <15 minutes, crowd-pleaser

Pink lemonade, but make it adults-only. OK fine, leave out the vodka if you want to make it a mocktail. Or better yet, make two batches.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy, <10 ingredients

You already love the tart flavor of a classic Bees Knees (that’s gin, lemon and honey), so upping the ante with rhubarb is a no-brainer. "For a bit of spicy kick, I muddle in some coins of fresh ginger," recommends recipe developer and Alternative Baker cookbook author Alanna Taylor-Tobin.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion–worthy

The homemade strawberry syrup takes this sparkler over the top, but you can swap it for seedless strawberry jelly in a pinch.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, low carb, sugar free, keto

This spring cocktail has a secret: It uses alt-sweeteners to make it keto-friendly. If you’re not keto, regular sugar will do just fine.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy

Even if you don’t looove floral flavors, you’ll want to try this lavender-laced drink. It’s light and herbal, not perfumy or overly sweet.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: ready in <15 minutes, <10 ingredients

Grassy green tea and mint practically scream spring. I’ll be sipping on these long before the Kentucky Derby even happens, but you better believe I'll be making it on the big day, too.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser

FYI, pineapple is a spring fruit, even though it tastes like a summer vacation. I’ll be making these spritzes the moment the forecast says 60 degrees.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: ready in <15 minutes, <10 ingredients

This concoction of chamomile, whiskey and honey will put you in the mood for spring and send away any lingering winter sniffles. It’s kinda like a chilled hot toddy.

• Time Commitment: 17 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients

Vegetable cocktails really had a moment a few years ago. Can we petition to bring them back? This verdant beverage is the ideal balance of earthy and sweet.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, make ahead

If 60 and partly sunny isn’t enough, transport yourself to even warmer weather with this tropical bev. Passionfruit provides a sweeter take on the traditionally somewhat tart, grapefruit-based drink.

• Time Commitment: 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy

I’d say the thyme and blueberry garnish is optional, but it really makes this cocktail feel special, no? Plus, it’s about as simple a garnish as you can get.

• Time Commitment: 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, ready in <15 minutes

Even if you don’t have a blender, you can still make a sweet-and-sour strawberry margarita come springtime. This one is flavored with a fresh strawberry puree, but you can substitute preserves for simplicity.

• Time Commitment: 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy

Bonus points if you make floral ice cubes with edible flowers. (4 Kinds makes a gorgeous blend you can order directly from Amazon, or you can see if you can snag a tin of Meghan Markle's As Ever variety.)

• Time Commitment: 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, ready in <15 minutes

Grapefruit is often thought of as a winter staple, but it’s actually at its sweetest in early spring. Perfect timing to whip up one of these mouth-puckering pisco sours.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy, <10 ingredients

If your farmers market is still a little bare in early March, take advantage of the lingering citrus fruit and make this sparkling punch. It’s not too boozy, which makes it great for brunch.

• Time Commitment: 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, ready in <15 minutes

Arugula in a cocktail? Believe it. The tender green is officially in season in spring, and it adds an unexpected peppery bite to an otherwise sweet cocktail.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients

Raise your hand if you think mimosas are kind of basic. (Us too.) The remedy? This fruit-laden punch, which makes the brunch staple sooo much better.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser

Oh hi, three-ingredient cocktail for a crowd. This simple drink calls for a bottle of rosé, but if you really want to live on the edge, add a splash of gin.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients

You mix the grapefruit with the blueberry and you drink it all up. Wait, that’s not how it goes? I'm doing it anyway.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, ready in <15 minutes, low sugar

This flavor combination is the definition of refreshing. Bonus: There are only five grams of sugar in each drink.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser

Make the lavender simple syrup ahead of time so it’s smooth sailing—er, shaking—come brunch. Serve with a frittata and a zingy side salad, and you've got the ideal Sunday meal.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly

Strawberry simple syrup sweetens this drink, while keeping it light and refreshing. If you’re not a vodka person, feel free to use tequila instead.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, special occasion–worthy

If you can make a classic margarita, you can make this riff. It’s infused with fresh mint syrup and garnished with cucumber slices to keep you cool.

• Time Commitment: 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: <15 minutes, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly

The Derby is in May, so you better brush up on your Julep now. Luckily, this one calls for just four ingredients, and it's a nice alternative if you don't like the matcha version I shared earlier. (Hey, those grassy notes aren't for everyone; I get it.)

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: <15 minutes, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser

I'm a little obsessed with the refreshing combination of herbaceous gin and sweet strawberries. Even better, this spring cocktail can be made in a pitcher for a crowd.

• Time Commitment: 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: <15 minutes, <10 ingredients, special occasion–worthy

It’s sweet with spring fruit but has just enough heat to remind you that summer is on the way. Consider it the ultimate transitional drink—and one you should absolutely bookmark to serve at a cookout or start-of-summer gathering.

• Time Commitment: 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: <15 minutes, <10 ingredients, special occasion–worthy

There's no better way to toast to cherry blossom season (which runs from mid-March to mid-April) than with this scroll-stopping drink. Cherry blossom latte mix is the shortcut to whipping up this cocktail in a flash.

• Time Commitment: 4 hours, 5 minutes (includes chill time)
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, special occasion–worthy

Sangria is always a good idea, and this lemon-y twist offers a refreshingly crisp update on the classic. Don't be daunted by the 4-hour time commitment—just make it the morning of your party and let it spend all that time chilling in the fridge, letting the fruit really absorb the limoncello and sauvignon blanc. Then soak up alllll the compliments come party time.