Ostara Cocktails
Here are some refreshing and herbal Ostara-inspired cocktails to celebrate the arrival of spring, featuring vibrant flavors, floral notes, and fresh seasonal ingredients. Perfect for toasting to renewal, balance, and new beginnings!
Lavender Lemon Fizz
A refreshing, floral cocktail with a zingy lemon flavor—perfect for celebrating Ostara.
Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz gin (or vodka for a lighter taste)
1 oz fresh lemon juice
3/4 oz lavender simple syrup (recipe below)
Club soda
Ice
Fresh lavender sprig (for garnish)
Lemon slice (for garnish)
Lavender Simple Syrup:
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup sugar or honey
2 tbsp dried lavender buds
Instructions:
To make the lavender simple syrup, combine water, sugar, and lavender buds in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Once dissolved, remove from heat and let steep for 10 minutes. Strain and let cool.
In a cocktail shaker, combine gin, lemon juice, and lavender syrup with ice. Shake well.
Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice.
Top with club soda for a fizzy finish.
Garnish with a sprig of lavender and a lemon slice. Enjoy this refreshing, floral cocktail!
Cucumber Mint Cooler
A crisp and herbaceous cocktail that highlights the vibrant flavors of mint and cucumber—perfect for a springtime celebration.
Ingredients:
2 oz gin or vodka
1 oz fresh lime juice
1/2 oz simple syrup (adjust to taste)
4-5 fresh mint leaves
3-4 slices of cucumber
Ice
Club soda
Cucumber ribbon and mint sprig for garnish
Instructions:
Muddle the cucumber slices and mint leaves in a cocktail shaker to release their flavors.
Add gin or vodka, lime juice, and simple syrup. Fill the shaker with ice and shake well.
Strain into a glass filled with ice.
Top with club soda to make it refreshing and bubbly.
Garnish with a cucumber ribbon and a mint sprig.
Elderflower Collins
Elderflower is a beautiful, delicate floral flavor that works wonderfully for spring cocktails. This variation on a Tom Collins is perfect for Ostara.
Ingredients:
2 oz gin
1 oz elderflower liqueur (like St-Germain)
1 oz fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz simple syrup (optional, depending on your sweetness preference)
Club soda
Ice
Lemon wheel and mint for garnish
Instructions:
In a cocktail shaker, combine gin, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice. Shake well.
Strain into a tall glass filled with ice.
Top with club soda for a fizzy finish.
Garnish with a lemon wheel and mint sprig for a fresh and fragrant touch.
Rosemary Grapefruit Mule
A twist on the classic Moscow Mule, this cocktail incorporates the herbal flavor of rosemary and the tartness of grapefruit to create a vibrant, spring-inspired drink.
Ingredients:
2 oz vodka
1/2 oz fresh lime juice
2 oz fresh grapefruit juice
1/2 oz simple syrup (optional, depending on sweetness preference)
Ginger beer
1 sprig fresh rosemary
Ice
Grapefruit slice and rosemary sprig for garnish
Instructions:
In a cocktail shaker, combine vodka, lime juice, grapefruit juice, and simple syrup with ice. Shake well.
Strain into a mule cup or a glass filled with ice.
Top with ginger beer for a spicy, effervescent finish.
Garnish with a grapefruit slice and sprig of rosemary. You can also lightly muddle the rosemary in the shaker to release its aroma.
Chamomile Honey Whiskey Sour
A calming and herbal twist on the classic whiskey sour, featuring chamomile and honey.
Ingredients:
2 oz whiskey (bourbon or rye)
3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz honey syrup (1:1 honey to water)
1/2 oz chamomile tea (brewed and cooled)
Ice
Lemon twist for garnish
Instructions:
Brew chamomile tea and allow it to cool.
In a cocktail shaker, combine whiskey, lemon juice, honey syrup, and chamomile tea with ice.
Shake well and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
Garnish with a twist of lemon.
Dandelion & Elderflower Spritz
Celebrate the dandelions of spring in this light, herbal spritz made with elderflower liqueur and a touch of dandelion syrup.
Ingredients:
1 oz elderflower liqueur (St-Germain)
1 oz dandelion syrup (https://www.whatilovedoing.com/wild/dandelion-simple-syrup-recipe)
2 oz sparkling white wine or Prosecco
2 oz club soda
Ice
Dandelion petals or mint for garnish
Instructions:
In a wine glass filled with ice, add elderflower liqueur and dandelion syrup.
Pour in the sparkling wine and top with club soda.
Stir gently and garnish with dandelion petals or a mint sprig.
Fennel & Apple Smash
Fennel adds an earthy, aromatic flavor that pairs beautifully with apple in this spring-inspired smash.
Ingredients:
2 oz apple brandy or bourbon
1 oz fresh apple juice
1/2 oz fennel syrup (recipe below)
1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
2-3 slices of fresh fennel
Ice
Apple slice for garnish
Fennel Syrup:
1/2 cup fennel fronds (the leafy part of the fennel bulb)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
Instructions (Fennel Syrup):
In a small saucepan, combine fennel fronds, sugar, and water. Bring to a simmer, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
Remove from heat and let steep for 10 minutes.
Strain the syrup and let cool.
Instructions (Cocktail):
Muddle the fennel slices in a cocktail shaker to release their flavor.
Add apple brandy (or bourbon), apple juice, fennel syrup, and lemon juice to the shaker with ice. Shake well.
Strain into a glass filled with ice.
Garnish with an apple slice for a crisp, refreshing touch.
These Ostara-inspired cocktails offer a mix of herbal, floral, and fruity flavors, celebrating the renewal and growth of spring in your glass. Whether you're relaxing or hosting a spring gathering, these cocktails can help you toast to the changing seasons. Enjoy responsibly!