Delight your guests with a refreshing spring cocktail! These recipes use fresh, fruity ingredients are so so easy to make.
Chef to the stars Lulu Powers is one of the most sought-after caterers in the entertainment industry. Celebrity clients include Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, Madonna and Bill Clinton. Powers is also the author of Lulu Powers Food to Flowers, a stylish and simple guide to entertaining. Here, Powers shares exciting drink recipes which are sure to be a hit at your spring cocktail party.
Watermelon Lemonade
This thirst-quenching drink can be made with or without alcohol.
Makes 2 quarts
Ingredients
- 4 cups seedless watermelon, chopped
- 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 cups water
Preparation
- Puree the watermelon, lime juice and sugar in a blender until smooth. Set aside.
- In a small saucepan, combine lemon juice, sugar and 2 cups water.
- Bring to a boil and stir 2-3 minutes, or until sugar dissolves. Let cool.
- Mix the lemon syrup with the watermelon mixture. Serve over ice.
- Spike with your favorite vodka or tequila, if desired.
Find out how to add edible flowers to spring cocktails >>
Ginger-Lime Cocktail
One sip of this delightful drink will have you begging for more.
Serves 4
Ingredients
- 1 cup mint leaves
- 1 cup frozen limeade
- 8 ounces ginger liqueur (Powers recommends Domaine de Canton)
- 8 ounces vodka
- 1 cup ice
- 4 gardenia blossoms, optional
Preparation
- Combine first five ingredients in blender.
- Serve in glasses over ice with optional gardenia garnish.
Check out more trendy floral cocktails for spring >>
La Dolce Vita Punch
Serve to impress with this cocktail recipe borrowed from the famous La Dolce Vita restaurant in Beverly Hills.
Serves 12-15
Ingredients
- 3 thin-cut peels of three lemons
- 3 heaping bar spoons of superfine sugar
- 6 ounces fresh lemon juice (no substitutions)
- 6 ounces grenadine
- 4 ounces simple syrup (1 part sugar to 1 part water)
- 5 ounces Angostura® bitters
- 12 ounces bourbon
- 16 ounces champagne
Preparation
- Muddle the lemon peels with superfine sugar.
- Add remaining ingredients except champagne and stir until sugar has dissolved.
- Add ice and stir again.
- Strain over a large block of ice and top off with champagne.
| You may replace grenadine with 1-1/4 cups of pomegranate juice. |
Learn how to make your own grenadine >>
Cocktails for non-drinkers
For less potent spring cocktails, check out Stirrings, a line of all-natural, non-alcoholic mixers, rimmers and soda. The products are beautiful and use real fruit juice — no high-fructose corn syrup. With Stirrings, you don’t have to be an expert bartender to make your guests’ favorite restaurant-quality cocktails.
Virgin Apple Spritzer
For this non-alcoholic version of the classic Apple Martini, pour equal parts Stirrings Apple Martini Mixer and club soda over ice. Stir and serve (1 ounce mixer and 1 ounce club soda per serving).
Virgin Cosmopolitan
This sassy drink is incredible in a highball glass with a lime garnish. For each serving, fill glass with ice and add 2 ounces Stirrings Cosmopolitan Mixer and 0.25 ounces Stirrings Clarified Key Lime Juice. Top with club soda.
More tips for spring parties
Throw a spring garden party
Spring tea party tips
How to throw the perfect spring garden brunch
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