Spring has technically arrived in Binghamton, and with it we expect sunglasses, time outside and the shedding of layers. Sure, the weather hasn’t been so nice lately, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still have your spring indoors. Make your own seasonal drinks in any weather with these fresh, fruity cocktails.
Strawberry-Lemonade Mixer
Serves one
Ingredients:
— 2 quarts water
— ½ cup white sugar
— ¾ cup lemon juice
— 6 oz. lemonade
— 1 oz. citrus vodka
— 1 oz. strawberry schnapps
— Lemon wedge (optional)
— Strawberry slices (optional)
Nothing says warm weather like a lemonade stand, but since you can’t find those on State Street, you’ll have to settle for something more homemade. To start, you’ll need lemonade. Making your own is simple, and you probably already have the ingredients in your kitchen. Just mix water, lemon juice and sugar into a pitcher and let chill. Tip: put the sugar into the pitcher before the water and juice. If you’re feeling lazy, store-bought or powder-mix lemonade works just as well. Then, pour the vodka and schnapps into an ice-filled glass and fill to the top with the cold lemonade. To garnish the drink, add strawberry slices and a lemon wedge.
Recipe adapted from Yummly
Cake by the Ocean
Serves one
Ingredients:
— 1 oz. cake-flavored vodka (Three Olives, Smirnoff, etc.)
— 1 tsp. white cake mix
— 1/2 tsp. almond extract
— ½ oz. Malibu rum
— 3 oz. half-and-half
— Whipped cream (optional)
— Toasted coconut shavings, sweetened (optional)
Yes, spring break is over. But before you get too upset, DNCE has inspired the perfect drink to remind you of the good times on the beach. This drink combines the celebratory feel of cake with the beachy aspects of Malibu rum to keep you excited for summer vacation. First, combine the vodka, rum, cake mix and half-and-half with ice in a drink mixer. To avoid ice chunks in your drink, strain the liquid into a champagne flute. If you’d like to, top the drink with the whipped cream and sweetened coconut shavings.
Recipe adapted from Yummly
Cherry Chocolate Milk
Serves one
Ingredients:
— 2 oz. dark chocolate liqueur
— 1 oz. cream liqueur (ex. Bailey’s Irish Cream)
— 2 oz. half-and-half
— 1 oz. hazelnut creamer
— 2 tbsp. chocolate syrup
— Chocolate-covered cherries
— Whipped cream (optional)
Cherry blossoms are known for blooming just once a year, so enjoy a cherry-infused chocolate drink in honor of their springtime appearance. Mix the chocolate liqueur, Bailey’s Irish Cream and half-and-half in a glass filled with ice and add chocolate syrup to taste. Drop two or three chocolate-covered cherries into the glass and top off the drink with whipped cream and another cherry on top for garnish.
Recipe adapted from Yummly
Taste the Rainbow
Serves four
Ingredients:
— Rainbow sherbet
— 6 oz. (half can) fruit punch concentrate, thawed
— 6 oz. (half can) Welch’s orange pineapple apple juice concentrate, thawed
— 1 cup vodka
— 2 cups peach schnapps
— 5 cups ginger ale, chilled
April is known for its showers, but that just means more rainbows. To make a drink inspired by the spring staple, mix the thawed juice concentrates with chilled vodka, schnapps and ginger ale in a large pitcher or bowl. Once combined, fill a mug ¾ full with the punch and add a scoop of sherbet on top.
Recipe adapted from Yummly
Quickie on the Beach
Serves 4
Ingredients:
— 1/3 oz. vodka
— 1/3 oz. peach schnapps
— 1/3 oz. cranberry juice
— Orange slices
The popular cocktail sex on the beach is highly recognized for its fruity flavors, but if you’re looking for a faster way to experience the drink, try the classic as a shot. Start by dipping the tip of the shot glasses in lemon juice and coating them with white sugar. Then, mix the vodka, schnapps and the cranberry juice in a drink mixer. When done, pour the mixture into the shot glasses and garnish each with an orange slice to use as a chaser.
Recipe adapted from Yummly