Spring showers bring May flowers and fresh cocktails (okay, maybe we added that last bit), so tease your taste buds with one of these tipples: from neon-bright cocktails to lemonade with a kick!

2011 'It' Colours:

Honeysuckle Martini

1 1/2 oz vodka
2 frozen raspberries, thawed
2 oz pear purée

Combine all ingredients and shake sharply with ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a raspberry skewer.
*Source: LCBO Drink Trend Report 2011








Bangin' Blue Lagoon

2 oz vodka (eg. Russian Standard)
1/2 oz pineapple juice
1/2 oz lime juice
grenadine
Food colouring (tweak to your favourite hue with blue and a dash of yellow)

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Strain into a martini glass and pour grenadine so it sinks to the bottom. Garnish with orange, cherry, and sprig of mint.
*Source: Russian Standard Vodka




Romantic Themes:

Bond's Vesper Cocktail

3 oz gin
1 oz vodka
1/2 oz Lillet (a French aperitif wine, or use vermouth)
lemon peel (long thin slice)

Shake gin, vodka and Lillet with ice and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with lemon peel.
*Source: Casino Royale (2006)








Lavender Champagne

Simple syrup (1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup water, 1 tbsp dried lavender)
Dry champagne or sparkling white wine
Fresh lavender sprigs

Prepare the simple syrup by heating water and sugar together to a boil until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add dried lavender, stir, and remove from heat. Allow to cool completely before use, or refrigerate to store for up to 1 month.

Pour 6 oz of champagne and 3/4 oz of lavender syrup in each champagne flute. Garnish with fresh lavender to serve.
*Source: Martha Stewart Weddings



Old School Classics:

Traditional Margarita

1 oz tequila (eg. Jose Cuervo Tradicional)
2 oz lime juice, freshly squeezed
1/2 oz Grand Marnier
Salt
Lime wedge

Combine tequila, lime juice and Grand Marnier in an ice-filled shaker. Strain into a salt-rimmed highball glass and garnish with a lime wedge.
*Source: Jose Cuervo






Vodka-Thyme Lemonade

Simple syrup (2 cups sugar, 2 cups water, 12 sprigs fresh thyme)
4 cups lemon juice, freshly squeezed (about 24 lemons)
2 cups vodka
Fresh thyme for garnish

Prepare the simple syrup by heating the water, sugar and thyme together to a boil until the sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature. Use a fine sieve to strain the mixture, removing the thyme (discard). Chill until ready to use.

Combine syrup, lemon juice and vodka in a large serving pitcher and garnish with fresh thyme. Serve over ice.
*Source: Martha Stewart Living


*ChickAdvisor encourages you to please serve and enjoy alcoholic beverages responsibly.