Spring Sipper Recipes from Austin's Best Bartenders

Is it 5 o’clock yet? We don’t know about you, but at-home-happy-hours have become something we look forward to as of late. Try these simple recipes from Austin’s best bartenders, find a spot on your patio, and enjoy. Cheers!

 

 

This “gin forward” version of the pre-prohibition cocktail, The Last Word, uses an optional homemade strawberry and basil cordial for a Spring-y twist.

 

• 1 oz Plymouth Gin
  
  
• ½ oz Green Chartreuse
  
  
• ½ Strawberry Basil Cordial*
  
  
• ½ oz lemon juice

 

Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass and stir for 15 rotations. Strain into coupe glass and garnish with fresh basil.

 

• 1 lb organic strawberries
  
  
• 1 oz organic basil leaves
  
  
• 16 oz organic cane sugar
  
  
• 8 oz Tito’s Vodka

 

 

Bring water to a boil in a medium-sized saucepan and add strawberries and sugar. Turn off the heat and stir until the sugar dissolves. Let contents cool for 20 minutes, then add basil and vodka. Store in a non-reactive glass container and let sit for 24-48 hours. Pour contents through a fine mesh strainer into a new container to remove strawberries and basil. Store in a refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

 

 

If you like a Margarita, you’ll love a Ranch Water. With the addition of Topo Chico, The Ranch Water is fresh, effervescent, and about as Austin as you can get.

 

• Reposado Tequila
  
  
• Topo Chico
  
  
• Agave-based Cordial (Agavero)
  
  
• Limes

 

Combine 2 parts Golden Reposado Tequila to 1 part agave-based cordial (like Agavero) and 1 part freshly squeezed lime juice into a Collins glass. Then just add ice and top with Topo Chico. Garnish with lime, (or even a spicy chili rim if you’re feeling especially Texan).

 

 

Event bartenders, Drink Slingers came up with a beautiful and delicious cocktail to celebrate the season.

 

• 1 oz of fresh blueberries
  
  
• ¼ oz of agave nectar
  
  
• ½ oz of lemon juice
  
  
• 2 oz of Bombay Sapphire gin

 

Muddle blueberries, agave nectar, and lemon juice. Add gin, fill the shaker with ice, do your best Tom Cruise from Cocktail impression (shake it up), and pour into an old-fashioned glass.  Add a splash of soda and voila! Spring in a glass.

 

Don’t forget to tag #MOREatx with your cocktail pics. We’d love to toast to you from afar.