15 Fresh, Simple Cocktails for Spring

Faith Durand
Faith DurandSenior Vice President of Content
Faith is the SVP of Content at Apartment Therapy Media and former Editor-in-Chief of The Kitchn. She is the author of three cookbooks, including the James Beard Award-winning, The Kitchn Cookbook. She lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband and two daughters.
updated May 25, 2023
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(Image credit: Nancy Mitchell)

It’s springtime, the air is fresh, the sun is out. Time to sit out on the balcony (or patio, or fire escape…) with a glass of something cold in hand. This is the time of year when we like to begin dinner parties with an easy, crowd-friendly drink — perhaps a pitcher of strawberry-basil margaritas, or a simple whiskey sour. Here are a few more drinks in that line: Cucumber-rosemary gin and tonics, Pimm’s Cup for the gardener, a blueberry rum smash, and three Champagne cocktails inspired by the lovely ladies of Downton Abbey.

Each of the cocktails in this roundup is relatively easy and quick — no fancy infusions or too many types of liquor. Just simple, refreshing spring sipping, with flavors of herbs and fruit. Cheers to spring!

Simple Spring Cocktails

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Nancy Mitchell
Easy Pitcher Cocktail Recipe: Strawberry Basil Margaritas

A crowd-pleasing favorite! And so easy — just stir up a pitcher-full.

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Tara Donne
Pimm's Cup

A crowd-pleasing favorite! And so easy — just stir up a pitcher-full.

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3 / 15
Nancy Mitchell
Lady Mary

Inspired by the first lady of Downton Abbey, sweet with Lillet and bracing with basil.

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Nancy Mitchell
Lady Edith

Ruby bright, and refreshing.

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Apartment Therapy
Lady Sybil

A beautifully simple and sweet cocktail for spring.

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Apartment Therapy
Green Tea Mojito

Iced green tea and white rum — so thirst-quenching!

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<a href="https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/authors/mariasiriano">Maria Siriano</a>
Watermelon Mimosas

The watery, hothouse melons that are trickling into markets actually do quite well for this juicy, refreshing cocktail.

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Nancy Mitchell
The Blueberry Rum Smash

Blueberries, rum, ginger ale. Simple!

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Nancy Mitchell
The El Diablo Cocktail

Limeade, creme de cassis, tequila. A gorgeous color.

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Nancy Mitchell
The Original Hurricane

Mardi Gras is over, but the classic Hurricane makes great sipping all summer long.

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Lauren Volo
How To Make a Whiskey Sour

Four takes on the classic whiskey sour, an easy and delicious drink for parties.

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Maureen Petrosky
Dry Cucumber Cooler Cocktail

A garden cocktail, with cucumber, gin, cilantro and lime.

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Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Anna Stockwell
The Corpse Reviver #2, Americano Cocchi-Style

A juicy Italian classic, just Campari and vermouth with a splash of seltzer.

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What are your favorite cocktails and mocktails for spring?

Looking for Mocktails? Try These!

11 Grown Up Cocktails Without the Alcohol
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