Spring Cocktails to Sip on the Patio
Spring in Colorado hits different — that first warm breeze, the longer evenings, the way your patio suddenly feels like the best seat in the house. And what pairs perfectly with all of that? A bright, refreshing cocktail. Whether you’re hosting friends or just kicking your feet up solo, these spring cocktails are built to impress and easy to make with ingredients you can grab right here at Boone’s Wine & Spirits.
Let’s dive into five fresh cocktail recipes that scream sunshine, citrus, and a good time.
1. Lavender Gin Fizz
This one’s for the floral cocktail lovers. The Lavender Gin Fizz is light, bubbly, and just a little fancy — perfect for brunches or golden hour on the porch.
What you’ll need:
2 oz Empress 1908 Gin (its natural purple hue makes it a stunner)
1 oz fresh lemon juice
¾ oz lavender simple syrup (grab some or make your own)
Club soda to top
Ice
Optional: edible flowers for garnish
How to make it:
In a shaker, combine gin, lemon juice, and lavender syrup with ice.
Shake well, then strain into a tall glass over fresh ice.
Top with club soda and give it a gentle stir.
Garnish with a lemon wheel or edible flower if you’re feeling extra.
Pro Tip: Lavender syrup can be made by simmering equal parts water and sugar with dried culinary lavender. Let it steep, strain, and cool.
2. Strawberry Basil Bourbon Smash
Sweet strawberries and earthy basil bring out the best in a good bourbon. This drink is unexpected, a little herbaceous, and totally crushable.
What you’ll need:
2 oz Bulleit Bourbon
3–4 fresh strawberries, sliced
2–3 basil leaves
½ oz simple syrup
½ oz lemon juice
Crushed ice
How to make it:
In a shaker or sturdy glass, muddle the strawberries and basil with the simple syrup and lemon juice.
Add bourbon and ice, then shake well.
Strain into a rocks glass filled with crushed ice.
Garnish with a fresh basil leaf or a strawberry slice.
Vibe: Think backyard BBQ but elevated.
3. Cucumber Mint Vodka Cooler
This one’s for when it’s really warm out. Cucumber and mint are the definition of cooling, and paired with vodka? It’s hydration meets happy hour.
What you’ll need:
2 oz Tito’s Handmade Vodka
½ oz lime juice
½ oz simple syrup
A few slices of cucumber
3 mint leaves
Sparkling water to top
Ice
How to make it:
Muddle cucumber and mint in the bottom of a shaker.
Add vodka, lime juice, simple syrup, and ice.
Shake and strain into a highball glass over fresh ice.
Top with sparkling water and garnish with a mint sprig and cucumber wheel.
Optional twist: Use cucumber-flavored vodka if you want to dial it up.
4. Peach Mezcal Paloma
This smoky, sweet twist on the classic Paloma will win over anyone who’s not usually a mezcal drinker. It’s citrusy, juicy, and has a subtle campfire finish.
What you’ll need:
2 oz Del Maguey Vida Mezcal
2 oz fresh grapefruit juice
1 oz peach nectar
½ oz lime juice
Sparkling water to top
Salt or Tajín rim (optional)
How to make it:
Rim your glass with salt or Tajín if you like.
In a shaker, combine mezcal, grapefruit juice, peach nectar, and lime juice with ice.
Shake and strain into an ice-filled glass.
Top with sparkling water and garnish with a grapefruit wedge.
Why it works: The peach softens the mezcal’s smokiness just enough to make it patio-perfect.
5. Rosé Aperol Spritz
When in doubt, spritz it out. This version swaps Prosecco for a dry rosé, giving you that Aperol Spritz vibe with a little more fruit-forward flair.
What you’ll need:
2 oz Aperol
3 oz chilled dry rosé
1 oz soda water
Orange slice for garnish
Ice
How to make it:
Fill a wine glass with ice.
Add Aperol and rosé, then top with soda water.
Stir gently and garnish with an orange slice.
Extra bonus: This is one of the easiest drinks to batch — perfect if you’re hosting.
Stop by Boone’s!
All of these cocktails can be made with spirits and mixers you’ll find at Boone’s Wine & Spirits. Swing by for recommendations, fresh bottle drops, and maybe a little something you didn’t know you needed for your bar cart.
And hey — if you make one of these, tag us @booneswineandspirits. We want to see your patio setups!
