11 Essential Cocktails for Your April Parties

If you really want to impress your guests, grab some fresh raspberries and mint, and mix this beautiful ruby cocktail from cocktail legend David Wondrich. Peach brandy, Madeira, lemon juice, raspberry syrup and Peychaud’s bitters round out your shopping list.

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Citrusy kumquats add a splash of brightness in this stunning spring sipper. Muddle them in a shaker, and mix with gin, maraschino liqueur, lemon juice and nutmeg. Strain and serve over ice.

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This one’s all about the garnish. Take your weekday G&T up a notch by dressing it up with fresh ingredients, including juniper berries, thyme, fig, peach or whatever looks good at your local farmers market.

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Looking for something that’s easy to serve to a crowd? Try this almost 200-year-old punch. Muddle lemons with sugar, then let stand until sweet and juicy. Add in gin and maraschino liqueur, then top with seltzer. Serve in a punch bowl for an easy party cocktail.

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Ring in spring with this super fresh, herbal cocktail. Builders botanical gin makes the perfect match for the freshness in homemade lavender-infused soda water. Citric acid replaces lime juice for some modern zing, and it’s all combined in a rosemary-smoked glass and topped with edible flowers.

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Your usual Gimlet gets a spring upgrade in this fresh recipe. Muddle cucumber and basil, then shake with vodka, lemonade and lime juice. It’s juicy, sweet, tart and perfect for outdoor sipping.

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This cocktail recipe was invented before Prohibition, but you know what they say about a classic: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Shake gin, egg white, lemon juice and raspberry syrup until light and frothy. Strain into a chilled glass, and garnish with fresh raspberries.

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If the warmer days have you reaching for lighter cocktails, try this perfectly bitter and bubbly classic, straight from Italy. Prosecco and Aperol liqueur get a little lift from soda water, and a lime wheel provides a bright, citrus-y finish.

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This Southern drink is a little bit sassy, a little bit sweet and totally delicious. Shake together bourbon, ginger syrup, lemon juice and honey, then strain over a large ice cube into an Old Fashioned glass. Garnish with a lavender sprig.

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This simple cocktail is easy to throw together for last-minute parties, and the floral notes of St-Germain liqueur are perfectly suited for April. Pour the St-Germain in a Collins glass over ice, then add dry white wine or Champagne and top with club soda.

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Rhubarb is the perfect spring cocktail ingredient and the backbone of this complex vodka drink. Combine apple vodka with rhubarb syrup, lemon juice and rosemary, and shake until thoroughly mixed. Double-strain, then garnish with a green apple for an added snap of tartness.

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