At Party Rental Ltd. we love any reason to celebrate, and the beginning of spring is one of the best reasons. Cold, slushy winter days are replaced with warmth, lots of sunshine, and new blooms. Weddings every weekend means love is in the air… you get the picture. Inspired by this, the Party Rental Ltd. mixologists curated and crafted five cocktails that embody springtime and are perfect for raising a toast to the new season.

The Botanist (Serves 1)

Light, citrusy, herbaceous, floral, refreshing – The Botanist is the cocktail version of a crisp spring morning.

(Pictured:  Bodin Rocks, Ceramic Cocktail Bowl, Cocktail Shaker)

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 oz. St. George Botanivore Gin
• 1/2 oz. St. Germain
• 1/2 oz. lemon juice
• 1/4 oz. simple syrup
• 2 mint leaves
• 1 cucumber slice
• Optional garnish: lemon wheel and sprig of mint

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain into rocks glass over 3 large ice cubes. Garnish with lemon wheel and sprig of mint.

Grapefruit-Ginger Bourbon Sour (Serves 6)

DIY ginger simple syrup (which is really as simple as it sounds) adds a zing to this sweet and sour cocktail.

(Pictured: Vanderbilt Teaspoon, Village Carafe, Regency Goblet, Mini Ceramic Scoop Bowl)

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 3-inch piece of ginger, thinly sliced
• 1 3/4 cup grapefruit juice (fresh is best!)
• 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
• 2 cups bourbon

Instructions

1. Make ginger simple syrup: Heat sugar, water and ginger over low heat, stirring frequently, until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat, and let steep for 30 minutes. Remove ginger and discard.
2. Combine ginger syrup, grapefruit juice, and lime juice in a carafe.
3. Fill 6 glasses with ice. Add 1/2 cup juice mixture and 1/3 cup bourbon to each glass.

Rosé Wine

Though not a cocktail, rosé wine is perfect for spring, with its beautiful pink hue, light and fruity notes, and refreshing feel.   We like ours served by itself in a gorgeous glass (though, truthfully, we like every drink served in a gorgeous glass), but the versatile wine is perfect for mixing into a cocktail creation of your own. Rosé sangria, anyone?

(Pictured: Dyana White Wine, Copper Hammered Tray 14″)

Rhubarb Basil Cocktail (Serves 1)

Tart rhubarb, aromatic basil, and fizzy club soda come together to make an interesting, refreshing, light pink spring cocktail. Keep an eye out for fresh rhubarb in mid- to late-spring to catch it in-season and at its best.

(Pictured: Berlin White Wine)

Ingredients

• 3 medium/large basil leaves rolled up and cut into thin strips
• 3 tbsp rhubarb purée
• 1 1/2 oz. vodka
• Club soda

Instructions

1. Put the basil in the bottom of a glass. Press with the back of a spoon to slightly bruise.
2. Add rhubarb purée (recipe below) and stir.
3. Add vodka and ice cubes.  Top with club soda
4. Optional: garnish with basil leaf

Rhubarb Puree

• 12-13 stalks of rhubarb
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup water

1. Chop rhubarb into small 1/2″ pieces. Put in medium saucepan with sugar and water. Cook, covered, stirring occasionally over medium heat for about 10 minutes (until rhubarb is soft).
2. Transfer mixture to a food processor/blender and purée until smooth. Set a fine mesh strainer over a bowl and pour the purée through the strainer, pressing to get as much out as possible. Discard leftover bits.

Spiked Raspberry Sweet Tea (Serves 6)

Is there any drink more perfect for spring and summer than sweet tea? Here’s a grown-up take on the warm weather classic that’s easy to make in large batches and please a crowd. The Chambord gives a bold raspberry twist.

(Pictured:  Venice Highball, Crystal Pitcher 48oz.)

Ingredients

• 8 cups water
• 2 family-sized tea bags (or 6 regular-sized tea bags)
• 1/2-1 cup granulated sugar (depending on how sweet you prefer your tea)
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1 1/2 cups Chambord
• 1/2 cup vodka
• Optional garnishes: mint sprigs, raspberries, oranges, lemons rounds

Instructions

1. Bring water to a boil, then remove from heat. Add tea bags, cover and let steep for 15 minutes. Remove tea bags and discard.
2. Add sugar and baking soda. Stir until sugar dissolves
3. Add Chambord and vodka. Stir and let cool.
4. Pour over ice into highball glasses
5. Optional: garnish with your favorite fresh fruits and herbs

No matter how you celebrate spring’s return, we hope these cocktails bring a little sunshine to the party.  Did you give one of these a try? Snap a pic and tag us on social @partyrentalltd so we can see your creations!