Spring Awakening: Non-Alcoholic Cocktails to Welcome the New Season
There's a special kind of magic in those first days when winter begins to loosen its grip. The early crocuses might be just peeking through, but we can all feel it—spring is on its way. As we prepare to shed our heavy coats and welcome longer days, what better way to usher in the season of renewal than with fresh, vibrant mocktails that capture spring's promise?
I've crafted three non-alcoholic cocktails that celebrate the transition to spring, using premium alcohol-free spirits that bring all the complexity and none of the hangover. Perfect for those first patio moments when the sun feels warm again, or for brunches celebrating spring holidays.
Blossoming Raspberry Garden
As garden beds prepare for their springtime revival, this floral and berry-forward mocktail hints at the abundance to come. The pink hue and edible flower garnish make this drink as beautiful as the spring gardens we're eagerly anticipating.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Fluere Pink Raspberry Gin Alternative
- ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
- ½ oz elderflower syrup
- 3 fresh raspberries
- 2 sprigs of fresh thyme
- Soda water
- Ice
- (optional) Crystallized edible flower for garnish
Directions:
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle raspberries with elderflower syrup and one sprig of thyme.
- Add Fluere Pink Raspberry Gin Alternative, lemon juice, and ice.
- Shake vigorously for 15 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled coupe glass filled with fresh ice.
- Top with a splash of soda water.
- Garnish with fresh raspberries and a sprig of thyme, with an optional edible flower.
Orchard Breeze Spritzer
This light, refreshing mocktail captures the awakening of fruit trees and the first hint of blossoms in the air. The apple and lavender notes speak to the seasonal transition—looking back at winter's apples while anticipating spring's floral bounty.
Ingredients:
- 3 oz Wander + Found Non-Alcoholic Cuvée Blanc
- 1 oz fresh pressed apple juice
- ½ oz honey-lavender syrup*
- ¼ oz fresh lemon juice
- 3 thin slices of green apple
- Sparkling water
- Ice
*For honey-lavender syrup: Simmer ½ cup water, ½ cup honey, and 1 tbsp dried culinary lavender for 5 minutes. Strain and cool.
Directions:
- In a wine glass, layer green apple slices around the inside of the glass.
- Fill the glass halfway with ice.
- In a shaker, combine Cuvée Blanc, apple juice, honey-lavender syrup, and lemon juice.
- Stir gently (don't shake) and pour into the prepared glass.
- Top with a splash of sparkling water.
- Garnish with a slice of apple, a small sprig of fresh lavender and a twist of lemon peel.
Sunset in Tuscany
As daylight stretches longer, this vibrant orange mocktail celebrates the return of lingering evening light. The smoked rosemary adds a sensory dimension that feels special—perfect for marking the transition to a new season.
Ingredients:
- 2½ oz Sir James Spritz
- ¾ oz blood orange juice
- ½ oz rosemary-infused simple syrup*
- 2 dashes orange bitters (non-alcoholic)
- Soda water
- Ice
*For rosemary syrup: Simmer 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar, and 3 sprigs fresh rosemary for 10 minutes. Strain and cool.
Directions:
- Fill a large wine glass or tumbler with ice.
- Pour in Sir James Spritz, blood orange juice, and rosemary syrup.
- Add orange bitters and stir gently.
- Top with a splash of soda water.
- Garnish with a slice of orange. Before serving, lightly torch a sprig of rosemary until it smokes slightly.
Celebrating Spring's Arrival
These cocktails are designed for that magical moment when we collectively sense the seasonal shift. When you're not quite ready for full patio season but crave something that feels fresh and forward-looking. The non-alcoholic spirits provide all the complexity and ritual of traditional cocktails while keeping your mind clear to appreciate spring's subtle changes.
Try making these in early March when the days are noticeably longer but the full bloom of spring isn't quite here. They're the perfect way to toast to warmer days ahead and the renewal that spring promises.
What signs of spring are you most looking forward to? And which of these mocktails might become part of your seasonal celebration? Whatever your answer, here's to the promise of spring and all the fresh beginnings it brings!