How To: Spring Cocktails

The winter coats are packed away, the trees are starting to sprout leaves & flowers, and the ground is covered with pollen grass. It must be spring! Even if you're currently staring at 4 feet of snow (or just rain, in my case) here are some refreshing cocktails (Elle Sees approved!) to getcha in the mood for spring! Enjoy.

pic & recipe

Basil Lime Gimlet

• 2 oz Vodka
• 5 pieces of basil
• 1 whole lime
• 1 tbsp simple syrup

Put 4 fresh basil leaves in a mixing glass. Squeeze the lime in and muddle leaves. Fill glass with ice cubes. Add simple syrup and vodka. Shake and strain into cocktail glass. Float last leaf of basil on the top as garnish.

pic & recipe

Key Lime Pie Martini

• Graham cracker crumbs
• 2 lime wedges
• 6 tablespoons (3 ounces) vanilla flavored vodka
• 1/4 cup (2 ounces) key lime liqueur (recommended: KeKe Beach Key Lime Liqueur)
• 2 tablespoons pineapple juice
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• Ice cubes

Pour the graham cracker crumbs in a shallow dish. Rub a lime wedge around the edge of a martini glass and roll the edge in the graham cracker crumbs. Chill the glass for 30 minutes or until ready to serve. 

Combine the vanilla vodka, key lime liqueur, pineapple juice, and cream in a shaker. Fill the shaker half full with ice and shake until well blended. Pour into prepared martini glass, garnish with a lime

wedge and serve immediately.

pic & recipe

Rosemary Lemon Drop

• 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 1 1/2 ounces vodka
• 1/2 ounce limoncello
• 1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 ounce Simple Syrup

To make the lemon drop martini, bend 1 sprig of rosemary and drop it into a cocktail shaker. Fill the shaker with ice.  Measure in the vodka, limoncello, lemon juice, and simple syrup into the shaker. Cap it and shake vigorously.

Rim a martini glass with rosemary sugar, if desired. Strain the cocktail into the martini glass. Float the remaining rosemary sprig in the glass.

pic

Cucumber Spa Cooler

• 1  cucumber, thinly sliced, plus 1 additional slice for garnish
• 1⁄8 tsp. fresh mint
• 1 1⁄2 oz. vodka
• 1⁄2 oz. lemon-lime soda
• 1 squeeze of lime

In a cocktail shaker, combine the cucumber slices, mint, and 1⁄4 cup crushed ice. Using a muddler, crush ingredients until slushy. Add more ice, vodka, and soda. Cover, shake vigorously to combine, and pour contents into a glass garnished with a slice of cucumber.

PS--Here are some posts for summer cocktails (1,  2,  3)

My fall cocktails,

And some hot toddies

Don't forget my GIVEAWAY!