photo by Sunshine Shannon Photography

It’s finally time to raise a glass to warmer weather and longer sunny days with some new cocktail recipes that would be perfect for a spring wedding reception! Spring cocktails are all about bright flavors, refreshing finishes, and beautiful presentation. We’re loving anything with citrus, berries, and herbs right now, and all three of those flavors profiles would be the perfect addition to your signature spring cocktails. Whether you prefer whiskey or tequila, we’ve got spring cocktails for every taste that your guests are sure to love!

photo by Sunshine Shannon Photography | recipe by Jamie Oliver

Berry & Rosemary Juniper Gin Fizz

*Makes 10 servings

Ingredients:

1 lb frozen blackberries
4 lemons, chopped
2 rosemary sprigs
10 Juniper berries
5 tsp honey
2 cups Bombay Sapphire Gin
1 liter of soda water

Directions:

Divide the blackberries, lemons, and rosemary evenly between each tumbler, then add a juniper berry and ½ tbsp honey. (These can be made ahead of time and sit in the fridge until your guests arrive.) When you’re ready to serve, use a muddler to mash the berry mixture until the fruit is crushed. Fill each glass with ice, top with 1.5 oz gin and a dash of soda water, stir well, and serve.

photo by Amy Fanton Photography | recipe from Texas Monthly

Basil Mint Julep

*Makes 1 serving

Ingredients:

2 oz Maker’s Mark
1/4 oz fresh grapefruit juice
2 fresh chocolate basil leaves
3 fresh mint leaves
Garnish: orange twist and bitters (optional)

Directions:

Shake all ingredients with ice and pour into your favorite glass. Garnish with orange twist, extra basil, and mint. Add bitters if you like a kick!

photo by Swak Photography | recipe by Such the Spot

Cotton Candy Margarita

*Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:

3/4 cup tequila
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
1/2 cup cream soda
1/4 cup orange liqueur
Garnish: 1 package cotton candy

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a shaker and stir vigorously. Fill serving glasses 3/4 of the way with cotton candy.* Pour mixture over cotton candy until the glass is half full. Add ice. Stir to combine.

*For a beautiful presentation on your bar, place cotton candy on top of each glass and allow guests to mix it into the drink themselves.

photo by Sunshine Shannon Photography | recipe by The Girl on Bloor

Grapefruit Thyme & Elderflower Cocktail

*Makes 1 serving

Ingredients:

1.5 oz vodka
1 ruby red grapefruit
1 tsp elderflower cordial
Sparkling water
1/2 bunch fresh thyme

Directions:

Pour vodka into a glass. Using a glass juicer, or using your hands, squeeze juice from the grapefruit then pour into the glass. Add 1 tsp of elderflower cordial, along with a handful of ice cubes. Top with sparkling water and garnish with a sprig of thyme.

photo by Kristin Banta Events | recipe by Lemon Tree Dwelling

Lemon Meringue Sangria

*Makes 4-6 servings

Ingredients:

750 mL bottle sauvignon blanc or other dry white wine
1 cup lemonade
1/2 cup whipped cream flavored vodka
1/4 cup limoncello
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
Juice of 1 lemon
Garnish: 1-2 lemons, sliced

Directions:

Prepare simple syrup by combining 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup sugar, and juice of 1 lemon in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and set aside to cool. In a medium pitcher, combine wine, lemonade, vodka, limoncello, and cooled simple syrup. Garnish with lemon slices. Chill until ready to serve.

photo by Swak Photography | recipe by Epicurious

The Spring Foward

*Makes 1 serving

Ingredients:

For the rosemary-infused vodka:

1 bottle of vodka
2 large rosemary sprigs

For the cocktail:

1.5 oz rosemary-infused vodka
1/2 oz simple syrup
1/2 oz ruby red grapefruit juice
1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
Garnish: rosemary sprig

Directions:

For the rosemary-infused vodka:

Place rosemary sprigs in a 1-quart resealable glass jar and pour in vodka. Let sit at room temperature for 24 hours. Taste, and if desired rosemary flavor is present, remove the rosemary sprigs and pour back into the vodka bottle, or infuse for an additional 24 hours if more flavor is desired.

For the cocktail:

In a cocktail shaker, combine rosemary-infused vodka, simple syrup, grapefruit juice, and lemon juice. Add ice and shake. Strain into an ice-filled rocks glass and garnish with a rosemary sprig.

Now that you know what you’ll be drinking at your reception, it’s time to figure out how to decorate your reception tables. Use this wedding reception table checklist for stress-free styling!