Springtime Cocktails Full of Flowers

April is a month that brings hope to us all. The lighter evenings and the occasional glimpse of sun (mixed with unexpected showers) is enough to get anyone excited about the warmer months ahead. Add in a few cute animal babies, tonnes of chocolate and gardens full of flowers, and it really is one of the best months of the year!

Aviation

This class cocktail has very little to do with aeroplanes and more to do with an appreciation of the floral tones of crème de violette. This pretty pale purple
beverage is the perfect drink for spring, thanks to its light and refreshing
taste created by adding lemon juice, gin and cherry liqueur to the mix. Top
with a maraschino cherry or an edible violet petal and you have a beautiful
cocktail ready to drink!

Bee’s Knees

Everyone knows that bees are a gardener’s friend, which is why it is so lovely when you see them return from hibernation. This cocktail is a celebration of these tiny buzzy creatures, made up of lemon juice, gin and honey syrup. You can also mix this drink up to increase the floral vibe by selecting a lavender honey syrup or a botanical gin of your choice. Garnish with a few matching petals and drink up before you distract the bees!

Vesper

Lillet Blanc brings a botanical blend to this James-Bond-inspired cocktail. This fruity, floral white wine is combined with vodka and gin to make for a potent drink that is brought to life with a bright lemon peel. Simple, yet extremely effective, this is one to sip like a distinguished English spy – drink too many and you may find yourself at the mercy of a European enemy!

Floral Martini

Another of the super-sleuth’s favourite drinks, the Martini can be reinspired with the addition of rose vodka and gin. These botanical flavours are wonderfully complemented with a cucumber garnish, and of course, it wouldn’t be a martini cocktail without Martini Dry to bring the botanicals together. We recommend stirring this drink, but Bond preferred it shaken.

Mint Julep

Mint is one of the easiest plants to grow in the garden, since it spreads like wildflower,
making it the perfect ingredient for your springtime cocktail making. The Mint
Julep is a great choice to use up those leaves, mixing with bourbon and icing
sugar for a taste sensation that is great for lazy spring afternoons.

What do you have growing in your garden right now? Perhaps there’s a cocktail that might
make use of those delicious petals?!