11 Essential Cocktails for Your May Parties

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with this slightly sweet, slightly spicy and totally delicious spin on the classic Margarita. Fresh pineapple and a dash of juice bring a pop of tropical flavor to tequila and triple sec, and fresh jalapeño and a sugar-pepper rim add a little heat to keep things interesting.

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Welcome warmer weather with open arms and this sweet and floral cocktail. The herbal qualities of dry gin are enhanced when shaken with vinegary peach shrub, lavender simple syrup and fresh lemon juice. An egg white adds a silky, slightly creamy texture to the whole concoction.

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Sweeten things up with this refreshing sipper. Vodka, Crème Yvette liqueur, lime and vanilla may seem like an odd combination, but when brought together with orange bitters, they make a cocktail that packs a punch while staying light and sippable.

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We’ve found your new Derby Day drink! You’ll want to make enough peach-apricot-chipotle chili agave nectar so you can enjoy it all month long. Shiso leaves and bourbon are muddled together to form a base for the sweet and spicy nectar, fortified with fresh lemon juice and just a dash of peach bitters.

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This bright but complex cocktail will definitely steal the show at your next garden party. Simply whip up a spiced rhubarb shrub with some gin, lime juice and two kinds of bitters, and you’ll be tasting spring in no time.

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Heat already got you down? Cool off with this slushy twist on the classic. Chardonnay mingles with Drambuie, citrus and sweetener in this easy-drinking cocktail. Blend with frozen berries and add a few dashes of cherry bitters for even more fruity flavor.

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This variation on the Brown Derby is a refreshing complement to long spring days. Tincup whiskey, grapefruit juice, and maple and ginger syrup come together in no time at all. Just shake, strain and serve.

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May flowers are put to good use in this luscious, seasonal sipper. Square One botanical spirit gets creaminess from heavy cream and egg whites, while lavender honey syrup adds light floral flavor and sweetness. Garnish with extra lavender sprigs to get the full effect.

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Beautiful, sweet and just a little bit sassy, this cocktail is perfect for spring sipping. Vodka and pear liqueur are brought into the season with an easy homemade strawberry-hibiscus syrup. Fresh lemon juice adds brightness, while bitters bring depth and an egg white gives the whole thing a silky texture.

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Explore the softer side of Irish whiskey in this elegant cocktail. The whiskey is combined with honey, sauvignon blanc, apple juice, passion fruit syrup and a touch of lemon juice.

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One sip of this tall, refreshing cocktail, and you’ll feel like summer is already here. Cachaça and banana liqueur add a tropical flair to Amaro Montenegro, while lemon juice and aromatic bitters keep everything grounded. Serve over pebble ice with an orange twist to wow your guests.

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