12 Fresh and Flavorful Cocktail Recipes to Brighten Up All of Your Spring Gatherings

ICYMI, spring has sprung! And what better way to embrace the warm weather than to enjoy its many fruits? In this case, I’m talking about actual fruits—but maybe not in the way you think. They’re not in juice or salad form, nor are they topping your favorite bowl of yogurt or oatmeal. Instead, today’s springtime celebration is brought to you by cocktails. More specifically, some of the best spring cocktail recipes around.

For me, and I imagine it’s true for many others, this season is all about getting people together and enjoying more time outside. Like a warm-up for summer parties, if you will. So whether your spring plans include hosting a backyard soirée, taking a fabulous beach or mountainside vacay, or just enjoying some at-home downtime, you deserve to celebrate accordingly. Read on for our collection of the best spring cocktail recipes. Time to get sipping!

Feature image by Kristen Kilpatrick.

Vodka Cocktail Recipes

Watermelon Vodka Cocktail

Why We Love It: I don’t know about you, but as soon as watermelons are available to buy, they’re in my kitchen. In the case of this cocktail, watermelon combines with vodka, agave, and lime to create a fruity drink that’s perfect for warmer weather. The sweetness of the melon and agave is balanced by its limey counterpart, so sweet drink lovers and their opposites can enjoy this fruity sipper.

Hero Ingredient: Have you ever squeezed lime juice and sprinkled a little salt over a slice of watermelon? That’s what this cocktail tastes like. Pure satisfaction.

Get the recipe for Watermelon Vodka Cocktail.

Fennel Grapefruit Cocktail

Why We Love It: Talk about fresh! This cocktail packs celery, fennel, and grapefruit juice to deliver all kinds of vibrant flavor. Don’t be scared away by the celery. It’s the veggie undertones that make this cocktail great.

Hero Ingredient: Orange bitters round this drink out with all the citrusy notes.

Get the recipe for Fennel Grapefruit Cocktail.

Cucumber Ginger Sangria

Why We Love It: This sangria is perfect for spring gatherings. It’s simple enough to make on the fly, but sophisticated enough for any guests. And you get to prep it the day before, so you can focus on enjoying your gathering.

Hero Ingredient: Ginger balances everything out with a little kick of heat.

Get the recipe for Cucumber Ginger Sangria.

Fresh Grapefruit Greyhound

Why We Love It: Grapefruit cocktails are always refreshing, and this one is no exception. It’s super simple with only three ingredients, so you can whip it up in no time for any occasion.

Hero Ingredient: With only vodka, club soda, and grapefruit juice to choose from, I’m going to go with grapefruit juice. It turns vodka soda into a springtime sipper.

Get the recipe for Fresh Grapefruit Greyhound.

Tequila Cocktail Recipes

St. Germain Margarita from Well Plated

Why We Love It: This cocktail is so effortlessly delicious and perfect for spring. The notes of elderflower bring a fun twist on a classic marg and a really nice floral element to the party. You’ll want to keep this recipe in your back pocket, trust me.

Hero Ingredient: If you’re willing to go off-script, a splash of Topo makes this cocktail even more refreshing.

Get the recipe for St. Germain Margarita.

Clayton’s Margarita from The Defined Dish

Why We Love It: While I love a classic frozen marg, this is the best at-home rocks margarita I’ve ever tasted. It’s simple, light, and gives the tequila some room to breathe. Plus, that fluffy upper layer feels a little more elevated.

Hero Ingredient: Egg whites give it that frothy top that’s so fun to sip on.

Get the recipe for Clayton’s Margarita.

Tequila Mule from Crowded Kitchen

Why We Love It: The Mexican mule is one of my favorite cocktails. It’s on the sweeter side, but the spice from a good ginger beer balances everything out. Mix that with a zesty dose of lime juice and you’ve got a delicious cocktail to swig from those iconic copper mugs.

Hero Ingredient: Smack the mint leaves before sprinkling them into your mug to wake up the aroma.

Get the recipe for Tequila Mule.

Desert Bird Cocktail from Sips From Scripts

Why We Love It: The Desert Bird hails from San Antonio, and is basically a riff on the Jungle Bird cocktail. It combines tequila, mezcal, and Campari to create a sweet, smoky, and earthy masterpiece you’ll want to sip on all spring.

Hero Ingredient: Pineapple gum simple syrup may sound complicated, but it makes this drink.

Get the recipe for Desert Bird Cocktail.

Rum Cocktail Recipes

The Sea Bird

Why We Love It: Another feathered favorite, the sea bird is basically an adaptation of the tiki drink. It’s light, fruity, and definitely tropical—a staple for rum drinks in my book.

Hero Ingredient: Garnish with lots of pineapple for a rum-soaked bite at the bottom of your glass.

Get the recipe for The Sea Bird.

Frozen Brunch Punch from Half-Baked Harvest

Why We Love It: What’s brunch without a delicious frozen drink? If you ask me, it’s a sin. Avoid going against nature by trying this frozen brunch punch. It’s full of frozen pineapple, orange juice, ginger, lime juice, and more to complement Campari and white rum. Vacation in a glass.

Hero Ingredient: The ginger here is subtle but keeps this cocktail from being too sweet.

Get the recipe for Frozen Brunch Punch.

Wine Cocktail Recipes

Ginger-Citrus Aperol Spritz

Why We Love It: This ginger-citrus aperol spritz shakes up the classic warm weather drink to create a more complex flavor profile. It uses clementines, blueberries, cucumber, and basil to elevate the traditional recipe. Be sure to give it a try next time you crave a spritz. You won’t regret it.

Hero Ingredient: Like I said for the mint, give that basil a good smack to maximize its flavor and aroma.

Get the recipe for Ginger-Citrus Aperol Spritz.

Homemade Frosé

Why We Love It: Another brunch staple, frosé is best consumed at a table full of friends. Make that happen with this super simple recipe. All you have to do is pour some rosé into a cake pan, freeze overnight, and the rest comes together in a pinch. This would be perfect for Mother’s Day brunch. (Hint, hint.)

Hero Ingredient: Strawberry syrup makes this frosé. It’s sweet, delicious, and everything I want in a frozen drink.

Get the recipe for Homemade Frosé.

What’s your favorite spring cocktail recipe? Share it with us below!