April’s Signature Spirits: The Best Floral & Herbal Liquors for Spring

In the springtime, the days grow longer and the temperatures rise. It also happens to be the perfect time to refresh your spirits collection and introduce more floral and herbal flavors into your cocktails! April, with blossoming flowers and fragrant herbs, influences a shift from the more heavier and comforting spirits of winter to lighter, more aromatic options that capture the freshness of the season. Floral and herbal liquors can be the perfect addition to encouraging this shift and celebrate the beauty of the season.

In this post, we will explore a couple of the best floral and herbal liquors to incorporate into your cocktails this spring. Whether you’re looking to craft a signature cocktail or sip something light, these spirits will elevate your springtime collection!

🤍Elderflower Liqueur: A Floral Favorite

Elderflower liqueur has become a spring favorite due to its delicate, slightly sweet floral notes that emphasize the essence of a spring meadow in full bloom. Made from flowers of the elderberry tree, this liqueur brings a smooth and fragrant flavor that pairs great with a variety of spirits.

Signature Cocktail: The Elderflower Collins

• Mix elderflower liqueur with gin, fresh lemon juice, and soda water for a fresh, slightly sweet cocktail perfect for an afternoon brunch.

🪻 Lavender Liqueur: A Fragrant and Floral Treat

Lavender often brings feelings of relaxation and tranquility, so it’s no surprise that this infused liqueur has become increasingly popular in the springtime. Its vibrant floral notes make it an ideal ingredient that adds depth and complexity to cocktails without making it overwhelmingly floral. Lavender liqueur pairs wonderfully with gin, vodka, and rum. 

Signature Cocktail: Lavender French 75

• Mix lavender liqueur with gin, orange liqueur, and fresh lemon juice. This twist on a cocktail classic provides a beautifully pink/purple drink that embodies spring in a glass!

🌿Chartreuse: The Herbal Elixir of Spring

If you’re on the search for a true herbal liquor, Chartreuse is the obvious choice. This French liqueur is curated from a blend of over 130 different spices, herbs, and plants, giving it a complex earthy and herbal flavor profile. There are both green and yellow varieties: Green is stronger and more intense, while yellow is softer and sweeter. 

Signature Cocktail: Chartreuse Smash

• Combine Chartreuse with fresh mint, lime, and a splash of soda water to showcase the herbal liqueur while producing a refreshing cocktail that’s perfect for warmer months.

💚Absinthe: A Spirited Revival

Once an illicit spirit, absinthe has recently had a resurgence in popularity. It’s the perfect herbal addition to any spring cocktail lineup. Its base of wormwood and other herbs offers a distinctive, slightly bitter herbal flavor that can make a cocktail more complex. Not to mention, its vibrant green color makes it just as visually appealing as its taste!

Signature Cocktail: The Classic Sazerac

• Combine absinthe with rye whiskey, Peychaud’s bitters, and a twist of lemon. If you’re looking for something more on the sweeter side, try an Absinthe Sour with fresh lemon juice, sugar, and a splash of absinthe.

🍊Tangerine Simple Syrup

Tangerine during the springtime is something fun, unique, and fresh that you can use to brighten any drink! Whether you’re adding it to make a tangerine spritz or as a way to elevate a daily staple like sparkling water, this is a syrup that will truly boost your celebration of spring. Try making this homemade tangerine simple syrup:

TANGERINE SIMPLE SYRUP

• 3 cups fresh tangerine juice
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• ½ cup water

Heat water and sugar on medium heat in a saucepan on the stove and bring to a boil. Reduce to a low boil for about 5 minutes, stir frequently. Add tangerine juice and bring back up to a boil on medium heat. Once at a boil, remove and cool. Store in an airtight container for up to two to three months. 

TIP: If you see a lot of foam during the boiling process, feel free to remove it to improve the quality of the syrup.