My spring spritz cocktail tastes like a sunshine-soaked spring garden with fresh herbal and floral notes and a refreshingly bubbly fizz. You'll want to sip on this light gin-based drink at every springtime happy hour!
And if you enjoy this recipe, you'll love my hibiscus gin and tonic, too!
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❤️ Why You'll Love this Recipe
Quick & Easy - You only need five minutes to shake up this fun spring fizz. Peep my pro tips below for simple kitchen swaps you can make if you don't have traditional bartender tools.
Full of Spring Flavors - This gin spritz drink is the perfect First Day of Spring cocktail and can carry over through the whole season, actually. You'll taste elderflower, rose, thyme, and violet brightened up with citrus. It's a delicate, easy drink that's fun, too.
I love mixing up cocktails with flowers so check out more springtime cocktail recipes my ginger hibiscus martini, lavender mint julep, elderflower cherry smash, and lavender mimosas next!
What You'll Need for this Recipe
Gin differs from many other types of liquor because it has an herbaceous taste to it, which is usually due to juniper or some other type of botanical element. So it pairs wonderfully with all kinds of other produce. I use Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin here but this recipe works with any brand or expression of gin, including Citadelle, Tanqueray, and Hendrick's.
Thyme Syrup adds sweetness and herbal taste that really sets the drink apart. I've included instructions for making my homemade thyme honey syrup in the recipe card. And my lavender honey syrup would be a solid addition to this bouquet.
Liqueurs like creme de violette and elderflower liqueur round out the garden and add both flavor and a boozy boost. Use whichever brands of these you prefer, including St. Germain.
Check out the recipe card below for full ingredients list, measurements, nutrition facts, and step-by-step instructions!
Substitutions & Variations
Sparkling Water - Use sparkling water, club soda, or mineral water interchangeably here. I recommend using unflavored versions.
Citrus - Use lemon like I do or lime, orange or even grapefruit. Kumquat can work, too!
Non-Alcoholic - This cocktail won't really work without alcohol, however, my zero proof spring mocktail has similar flavors with elderflower and thyme plus grapefruit and green tea!
How to Make a Spring Spritz with Gin
- Step 1: Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice then pour in the liquor, juice, syrup, and liqueurs.
- Step 2: Shake then strain over ice.
Pro Tip #1
If, by chance, you don't have a jigger to measure out the liquids, a plain old shot glass can work instead. And if you don't have a cocktail shaker, stir the drink in a highball glass then pour it through a mesh strainer or colander!
- Step 3: Garnish with fresh thyme and edible flowers.
Frequently Asked Questions
To craft a batch spritz, add four ounces gin, four ounces thyme syrup, two ounces violet liqueur, two ounces elderflower liqueur, and two ounces lemon juice to a pitcher or carafe filled halfway with ice and stir until chilled. Pour in sparkling water and stir again. Serves four.
How to Serve
I like to serve this spring bloom cocktail over crushed ice for aesthetic but cubed ice or even floral ice cubes would work nicely, too. Spritz drinks are typically served in goblet-style glasses (think wine glasses) but you can use a highball glass or coupe glass, too.
As for garnishes, edible flowers and fresh thyme sprigs are great options to add aroma to each sip. Citrus wheels, twists, or peels are also lovely.
Serve it at Easter brunch with lemon poppyseed blueberry muffins or homemade cherry pop tarts and my bacon cheddar quiche with kale!
More Gin Cocktail Recipes
Looking for more recipes like this? Try these:
I hope you'll enjoy this spring garden spritz soon and very soon. And sharing is caring so be sure to pin the recipe and follow me over on Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
📖 Recipe
Spring Spritz Cocktail
Equipment
- 1 jigger or shot glass
- 1 Cocktail Shaker or highball glass, spoon, and mesh strainer
- 1 spoon
Ingredients
- ice
- 1 ounce gin
- 1 ounce thyme syrup
- ½ ounce violet liqueur
- ½ drops elderflower liqueur
- ½ ounce lemon juice
- sparkling water chilled
- fresh thyme and edible flowers optional garnish
Instructions
- Fill cocktail shaker halfway with ice then pour in gin, thyme syrup, violet liqueur, elderflower liqueur, and lemon juice.ice, 1 ounce gin, 1 ounce thyme syrup, ½ ounce violet liqueur, ½ drops elderflower liqueur, ½ ounce lemon juice
- Seal the shaker and shake until chilled to the touch (about eight seconds).
- Strain into glass filled with ice then top up with sparkling water. Add garnishes if, desired.sparkling water, fresh thyme and edible flowers
Notes
-
Add 1 cup water, 1 cup honey, and 1 bunch of fresh thyme to a small saucepan over medium heat.
-
Stir until honey dissolves then bring to a boil.
-
Remove from heat and allow to cool fully then remove the thyme. Makes about 16 servings.
Marcus Avery says
This cocktail is perfect for the spring season. It's light, refreshing, and definitely a beauty to look at. I can't wait to make it again!
Britney Brown says
I'd never heard or tried violet liqueur until I saw this recipe! I ran out and got some and it was so good in this cocktail! I'll def be making this again for Mother's day! Thanks!
Jen says
I made this cocktail last week and it was a big hit with my friends! I can’t wait to serve this during summer nights.