Spring Cocktails
A SEASON OF REBIRTH, rejuvenation, and renewal. It’s getting darker later, and the perfect weather is here for some of our great food and music festivals in NOLA. I have created a few easy, breezy, fruitforward cocktails for springtime festivals and porch/backyard sippin’.
CUCUMBER & BASIL GIMLET
3 oz of Hendrick’s (or your favorite gin)
1 oz Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice
1 oz Basil Syrup
Cucumber slices for muddling
Dehydrated lime wheel for garnish.
Muddle the cucumber slices, pour all ingredients into a shaker tin filled with ice, and shake it up like you are at Hogs for the Cause and they are about to run out of pulled pork sandwiches. Strain into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with a dehydrated lime wheel. This drink may also be served on the rocks in a highball glass.
Spring Breeze
2oz Hendrick’s Oasium
½ oz Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice
4oz Q Grapefruit Soda
Dehydrated grapefruit for garnish
Fill a shaker tin with ice, pour in all the ingredients, and shake it like you’re shaking your brass off at Jazz Fest. Strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass. Garnish with a dehydrated grapefruit slice.
This cocktail could also be served in a high ball glass over ice. This is really a personal preference. The second option is always better when you’re at a festival with a drink in your favorite Mardi Gras Krewe cup.
Apple Smash
2 oz Proper No Twelve Apple
½ oz Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
4 oz Fresh Pineapple Juice
Top off with Club Soda
Mint Sprig Garnish
Fill a highball glass with ice, pour in all the ingredients, and stir. Garnish with a mint spring. This could also be made into a julep glass and be a fun variation of a Mint Julep for any Derby party.
SPRING & SPRITZ
2 oz Don Q Coconut
2 oz Fresh Pineapple Juice
½ oz Aperol
½ oz Fresh-squeezed lemon juice
½ oz Simple Syrup
Top with a Splash of Mumm Napa Sparkling Rose
Pineapple Garnish
Pour all ingredients into a shaker tin filled with ice, and shake it like you’re at French Quarter Fest and the Big Freedia just came on stage. Strain into a highball glass filled with ice. Top with a splash of Mumm Napa Sparkling Rose. Garnish with a pineapple wedge.
As always, thanks for Shaken’ it up with me. I look forward to seeing everyone’s cocktail creations.