Botanical Cocktails: 5 Spring Cocktails Inspired by Your Garden

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By JENNY SMITH MATTFELDT // Published April 17, 2025

Whether you're hosting Easter brunch this weekend or just leaning into spring vibes, there's no easier way to make the moment feel elevated than with a seasonal cocktail. A specialty drink is one of my favorite forms of affordable luxury—it’s a small effort with a big payoff. And let’s be honest: I live for a seasonal color palette.

One of the best parts about spring drinks? The florals. There are so many edible flowers that are not only safe to use but genuinely stunning. You want to feel like Martha Stewart throw a few real floral garnishes on top—delicate, a little whimsical, and guaranteed to impress.

To really lean into the floral theme, I’m obsessed with the Monin Floral Syrup Mini Collection. **affiliate link* It comes with five beautifully balanced floral flavors—perfect for experimenting without committing to a full-size bottle. I used them in a few of the recipes below, and trust me they taste as pretty as they look, I was blown away by how refreshing they all are. If you're ready to level up your spring hosting (or Tuesday night), these are such a fun way to do it.

Lavender Coconut Water

Absolutely refreshing—this one tastes like garden-grown coconut water in the best way. If you’re someone who doesn’t usually love an alcohol-forward drink, coconut water is the ultimate hack—it softens everything. It’s light, floral, and delightfully smooth. If you want to level it up freeze lemon slices into your ice cubes or top it with a few soft flowers for that extra touch.

¾ ounce lavender syrup

¾ to 1 ounce lemon juice

1 shot of vodka

finish with coconut water and a flower or lemon slice

Elderflower Spa Water

There’s a reason it’s called spa water—this one is light, botanical, and ridiculously refreshing. You could swap the water for tonic or sparkling soda, but honestly I think you'll be surprised how smooth it is. You’d think gin and water might feel a little stiff, but with the elderflower and cucumber, it’s smooth, fragrant, and way too easy to sip. It smells like self-care and tastes like spring.

¾ ounce elderflower syrup

¾ to 1 ounce lime juice

1 shot of gin

finish with cold water & a cucumber ribbon

Rosewater Paloma

This one isn’t overly sweet, which I love—but if you’re craving a little extra, a sugar rim does the trick. I like to “paint” honey onto the rim instead of dipping it in simple syrup or lime juice—it holds the sugar better and keeps things neat. The rosewater and grapefruit play beautifully together—delicate, bright, and totally refreshing. Top it with a few dehydrated citrus slices and you’ve got a drink that looks as good as it tastes.

¾ ounce rose syrup

¾ to 1 ounce lemon juice

1 shot of tequila

finish with grapefruit juice, a honey Himalayan pink salt (or sugar) rim, & a few dehydrated citrus slices

Bourbon Violet

The whiskey floral combination is so underrated —floral, smooth, and just the right amount of indulgent. You can absolutely swap in your favorite whiskey here, and if you prefer a cleaner cocktail, try straining the blackberries instead of muddling them. A violet or pansy on top would be the dream garnish, but I went classic with a blackberry skewer and it still hits.

¾ ounce violet syrup

1 ounce blackberry juice

muddled black berries

1 shot of American Honey whiskey

finish with cold water and a blackberry skewer on top

Hibiscus Kicker

It’s hard to go wrong with hibiscus—it's tropical, bright, and always delivers. I added a splash of blackberry juice to this one, not because it needed more flavor, but for that deep, dreamy purple hue. Top it with a few purple or pink edible flowers and you've got a total party pleaser.

¾ ounce hibiscus syrup

¾ to 1 ounce blackberry juice

¾ to 1 ounce lime juice

1 shot vodka

finish with ginger beer and a purple flower garnish

Safe Edible Flower Garnishes

If you’re adding florals to your drinks, it’s important to know what’s safe to use. Luckily, many common garden flowers you can probably find outside are not only edible but totally delicious as garnishes. Here’s a quick list of safe, beautiful blooms to top off your spring cocktails.

·  Viola (Pansies & Johnny Jump-Ups)

·  Rose Petals

·  Hibiscus

·  Chamomile

·  Lavender

·  Calendula (Marigold)

·  Cornflower

·  Elderflower

·  Honeysuckle

·  Jasmine

·  Chive Blossoms

·  Basil Flowers

·  Mint Flowers

·  Thyme Flowers

·  Squash Blossoms

·  Bee Balm (Monarda)

·  Apple, Peach, and Plum Blossoms

·  Dandelion

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