If Spring Had a Flavor, It Would Be These Cocktails

Spring is in full swing, and your cocktail game should be too. The air smells sweeter, the days are longer, and everything—from brunch menus to backyard hangs—feels just a little more alive. It’s the perfect time to trade in heavy pours for something lighter, brighter, and garden-inspired. Think crisp herbs, edible flowers, and citrus that practically glows. Whether you're mixing drinks for friends or just treating yourself to a golden hour sip, these floral and herb-forward cocktails are peak seasonal sipping—refreshing, pretty, and made to match the vibe.

Here’s a roundup of spring cocktail ideas and easy recipes that are fresh, seasonal, and totally sip-worthy.

1. Lavender Bee’s Knees

A floral twist on a Prohibition-era classic

Why it works: The Bee’s Knees is already a zesty combo of gin, lemon, and honey—but swap in a lavender-honey syrup and you’ve got a floral-forward stunner that smells as good as it tastes.

How to make it:

• 2 oz gin

• ¾ oz fresh lemon juice

• ¾ oz lavender honey syrup (DIY: simmer honey with dried culinary lavender, strain, and cool)

Shake over ice, strain into a coupe, and garnish with a sprig of lavender or a lemon twist.

Instagram bonus: Frosted glass + floating flower = instant aesthetic.

2. Basil Cucumber Gimlet

Herbaceous, cool, and garden-party ready

Why it works: Think spa water meets cocktail hour. Basil and cucumber play so well with the bright bite of gin and lime, it’s like your taste buds took a walk through a farmer’s market.

How to make it:

• 2 oz gin

• ½ oz lime juice

• ½ oz simple syrup

• 2–3 slices cucumber

• 3–4 fresh basil leaves

Muddle basil and cucumber with syrup, add gin and lime juice, shake with ice, and strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with a basil leaf or cucumber ribbon.

3. Elderflower Spritz

The it drink for outdoor sipping

Why it works: Elderflower liqueur (like St-Germain) adds delicate floral notes without being overpowering. Mixed with sparkling wine and club soda, it’s the brunch drink your mimosa wishes it could be.

How to make it:

• 1 oz elderflower liqueur

• 3 oz Prosecco

• 2 oz sparkling water

Build in a wine glass over ice, stir gently, and garnish with edible flowers or a lemon wheel.

Pro tip: Great for batch cocktails if you're hosting. Just multiply the ratios and serve in a carafe.

4. Rosemary Paloma

A bold citrus classic with an herbal edge

Why it works: Grapefruit and tequila are already a power couple—but rosemary adds a savory, piney twist that cuts the sweetness and elevates the whole thing.

How to make it:

• 2 oz blanco tequila

• 2 oz fresh grapefruit juice

• ½ oz lime juice

• ½ oz rosemary simple syrup (simmer sugar and rosemary, then cool and strain)

• Sparkling water to top

Shake tequila, juices, and syrup with ice, strain into a salt-rimmed glass, and top with soda. Garnish with a rosemary sprig.

5. Chamomile Whiskey Sour

Soothing, unexpected, and totally spring-ready

Why it works: Chamomile tea brings a soft floral element to the boldness of whiskey. It’s calm meets kick—a cocktail with depth and elegance.

How to make it:

• 2 oz bourbon

• ¾ oz lemon juice

• ½ oz chamomile honey syrup (steep tea in honey water, strain, cool)

• Optional: egg white for a silky texture

Dry shake (no ice) if using egg white, then shake with ice. Strain into a coupe and garnish with a sprinkle of dried chamomile or lemon zest.

Garden-inspired cocktails aren't just delicious—they’re a vibe. They're what happens when nature meets mixology, and they’re having a moment. Whether you’re channeling cottagecore, brunch-core, or just looking for something new to sip on your stoop, these drinks hit the sweet spot between flavor and freshness.

Plus, edible flowers and herbs are surprisingly easy to find (try your local farmers market or a quick online search for organic options), and they make any drink feel like a mini event.

So shake it, stir it, garnish it like you mean it—and toast to spring in full bloom.