11 Essential Cocktails for Your April Parties

A little sweet, a little sour and more than a little boozy, this picture-perfect cocktail is great for small gatherings. Rye whiskey (or bourbon) gets the sour treatment from simple syrup, lemon juice and an optional egg white. Shake well, then carefully top with a red wine float for a stunning presentation.

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Butterfly-pea-flower-infused gin gives this pretty cocktail its bright and springy color. When mixed with Lillet rosé apéritif, Luxardo Bitter Bianco herbal liqueur, honey syrup and Champagne, the powder becomes a beautifully pink, bittersweet cocktail that you won’t be able to put down.

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The name of this cocktail translates to “The Handsome,” and it’s certainly a fitting name for the stunning mix of tequila, lime juice and a passion fruit, pomegranate and blood orange purée. Serve in a salt-and-pepper-rimmed glass garnished with a mezcal-filled lime boat.

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A riff on the Last Word, this modern classic is super easy to throw together at the last minute. Simply mix together equal parts bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino Quintessentia and lemon juice. Shake, strain and enjoy.

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Sencha-tea-infused vodka and sesame-infused vodka take a little bit of effort to make, but they’re well worth it when mixed into this well-rounded cocktail. The two vodkas mix with cane syrup, half-and-half and matcha powder to make a creamy drink that’s fresh, deep and nutty all at once.

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A hefty four-ounce pour of pisco is the backbone for this take on the classic cocktail, the most popular cocktail in Peru. When shaken with lime juice, simple syrup and an egg white, the pisco takes on a fruity, light taste that’s perfectly balanced with a few drops of Angostura bitters.

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If you like Mint Juleps, you’ll love the Whiskey Smash. The combination of lemon, mint, simple syrup and bourbon is deliciously refreshing and perfect for sipping when you’re in the mood for something that’s sweet, sour and fresh.

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Bring your brunch up a notch with this sophisticated and springtime spin on a classic Bellini. Strawberry purée and ginger juice are a sweet and slightly spicy mix that are brought to bubbly new levels with a dash of prosecco.

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Ease yourself into spring with this fruity and sweet concoction. Cachaça is a solid backbone for pineapple juice and lemon juice, and a dash of grenadine gives the whole thing a rosy hue. Top with club soda and an orange wheel.

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Swap tequila into this classic cocktail to bring a fresh new take for spring. Sweet vermouth, Fernet and chocolate-mole bitters help transform the spirit into a deep, slightly sweet, and the tiniest bit smoky cocktail.

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Quite possibly the easiest cocktail out there, you can throw this together at a moment’s notice. Simply take equal parts of vodka (or gin, if you prefer) and vermouth, stir with ice, strain and garnish with a lemon twist. Simple, delicious, done.

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