5 ways to put some spring into your cocktails

(BPT) - What better way to celebrate the return of warmer weather and longer days than to learn how to craft your own tasty tipples, right at home? With just a few special ingredients, and the right quality spirits, your efforts at home mixology will bring the flavor of spring forward.

Try these fun and easy cocktail recipes from Terlato Artisan Spirits to get you started:

1. Just add bubbles

Pour 1.5 ounces of L’Aperitivo Nonino Botanical Drink over ice, top with 2 ounces of your bubbles of choice (including tonic water or Prosecco) and then garnish with a lemon twist for an easy-to-fix, refreshing warm-weather drink.

L’Aperitivo Nonino Botanical Drink is a 100% natural infusion of 18 select botanicals including gentian root, rhubarb, lemons, limes and oranges. The result is slightly bitter but fresh and citrusy, with floral, fruity and balsamic notes.

2. Take me somewhere tropical

If you like Pina Coladas … this blended version of the popular cocktail will bring a touch of the tropics into your own backyard. The aromatic blend of light gold rums in Angostura 5 Year Old Rum brings notes of mango, banana, coconut, caramel and vanilla. Splurge on fancy glasses, cherries and umbrellas for a truly festive party atmosphere.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 ounces (45 milliliters) Angostura 5 Year Old Rum
• 1.5 ounces (45 milliliters) pineapple juice
• 1.5 ounces (45 milliliters) Crème of Coconut
• 8 ounces fresh pineapple chunks
• 8 dashes of Angostura aromatic bitters

Method:

Blend until frappéed. Pour into a tropical glass, then layer with Angostura aromatic bitters.
Garnish with a pineapple wedge, cocktail cherry and umbrella.

3. A seasonal sip

This summery beverage, the Strawberry French 75, gives you a chance to flex your bartender muscles with your best cocktail shaker flourishes. Adding a Riondo Rosé Prosecco means getting the best of two of your favorites — the vibrant effervescence of Prosecco and the beautiful hues of a Rosé that sings spring.

• 1 ounce gin
• 1/2 ounce lemon juice
• 3/4 ounces strawberry syrup
• 3 to 4 ounces Riondo Rosé Prosecco
• Strawberry and lemon twist garnish

Add gin, lemon juice and strawberry syrup to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake then strain into a glass and top with Riondo Rosé Prosecco. Garnish with a strawberry and lemon twist!

4. Coffee with a kick

Amarula is a cream liqueur from South Africa which is made from the fruit of the African marula tree, with cream and sugar. Amarula Coffee is South Africa’s version of an Irish Coffee, but iced — combining your favorite coffee with two shots of Amarula and a sweetener to taste (brown sugar is South Africa’s sweetener of choice), over ice. After blending, add a dollop of whipped cream to the top of the glass.

5. Spring training

This tasty but light concoction appropriately named Revenge Body makes great use of Riazul Tequila Plata, a favorite of purists who prefer tequila that is barreled for just a short time to reveal the unmasked agave character. It is best used in mixed drinks like this fruity, refreshing cocktail.

Ingredients:

2 ounces Riazul Tequila Plata
3 ounces white grapefruit juice
1/2 ounce lime juice
1/2 ounce agave nectar
Club soda
Pinch of salt

Method:

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Strain into a cocktail glass and serve.

Enjoy all your new cocktail creations with a few friends on the patio or deck this season, until the time is right to return to your favorite watering holes. Spring never tasted this good!

Find the spirits you need for these drinks and more at ReserveBar.com and TerlatoWines.Thirstie.com.