Let’s talk spring cocktails. Sure, you could serve wine or beer at your next dinner party, but if you really want to elevate your gathering, try serving a signature cocktail. For spring and summer, you’ll want to choose a drink that is crisp and refreshing – nothing too heavy or warming, like you’d choose for a winter holiday party.
In the warmer months, I tend towards gin- and vodka-based cocktails. When it comes to mixers, I often swap out warming ginger beer for club soda (though a Moscow Mule, in all its lime and ginger glory, is always appropriate). And since so much produce is in season this time of year, adding a little fruit to a cocktail is an easy way to add a little spark of flavor.
In this vodka collins, fresh strawberries are muddled and mixed with bubbly club soda, a sweet-tart lime syrup and vodka. Cheers!
With its muddled strawberries and sweet-tart lime syrup, this vodka collins is perfect for spring and early summer entertaining.
Ingredients
- 3 strawberries, hulls removed
- 1 1/2 ounces lime simple syrup (see below)
- 1 1/2 ounces vodka
- 4-5 ounces club soda
- Ice
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- Zest of 1 lime
Instructions
- Make the lime simple syrup: combine the water and sugar in a small saucepan. Heat over low heat, stirring continuously, until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat and stir in the lime zest. Allow to cool to room temperature before making your cocktail.
- For the cocktail:
- Muddle 3 strawberries with 1 1/2 ounces of the lime simple syrup. Stir in the vodka, and top off with the club soda and a few ice cubes.
Make Ahead and Storage
The lime simple syrup can be made up to 3 days in advance. Allow to cool completely, then store in an airtight container.
And here are sixteen other spring cocktails for your next party:
Bourbon float with nectarine sorbet from Not Without Salt
Ginger-infused honey lime cocktails from Lexi’s Clean Kitchen
Ginger shandy from Chasing Delicious
Hummingbird from Bell’alimento
Lime batido from Snappy Gourmet
Moscato strawberry lemon mojitos from Real Housemoms
Rhubarb spring fling from The View from Great Island
Sparkling mint julep from The Kitchen Is My Playground
Springtime martini from A Cocktail Life
Strawberry basil margarita from Food Babbles
Strawberry coconut margaritas from How Sweet It Is
Strawberry lime rose sangria from Kitchen Treaty
Strawberry rhubarb shrub from Healthy Delicious
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