Whip up a Garden Party Cocktail for a refreshing, colorful beverage that will please a crowd! It's easily made nonalcoholic and has a ginger sugar rim. Single glass and punch options are included.
Today's recipe was designed to highlight one of my favorite activities of the spring and summer season - dining outdoors. This cocktail is designed for a crowd (it serves 4-6), but is easily scaled back for a single person recipe.
I wanted to highlight Lillet Blanc, a favorite summer apertif. However, I know that many of my readers prefer nonalcoholic "mocktails," so the recipe below includes a just-as-good variation that is completely alcohol-free.
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Lillet Blanc FAQs
Lillet Blanc is a French white wine that is infused with fruits, herbs, and other botanical ingredients. It was invented in 1887 and originally flavored with quinine. The current version is lower in quinine. It is not vermouth because it does not contain wormwood (but does contain liqueur).
Lillet Blanc has a lightly sweet taste that is floral and fruity. For this reason, it's a perfect addition to spring and summer cocktails.
Any sweet white vermouth will work in its place.
Ingredients for Garden Party Cocktails
- Orange juice, for subtle sweetness
- Fresh basil, for an herbaceous edge
- Angostura bitters, for more notes of citrus
- Fresh ginger, for spice
- Strawberries, for bright flavor and color
- Lillet Blanc or ginger beer
- Sparkling water or Prosecco
Possible Swap and Substitutions
While this recipe is written for a pitcher of 4-6, it's easily scaled down to a single drink! For a single cocktail variation, combine 2 TBS orange juice, 3 leaves basil, 1 dash bitters, 1 strawberry, 1 oz Lillet/ginger beer in a shaker. Middle to combine, strain into a glass, and top with ~1 cup sparkling water.
To make this recipe completely free of alcohol, skip the angostura bitters, substitute ginger beer or soda for the Lillet, and use only sparkling water instead of any Prosecco.
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Any kind of berry will work in place of the strawberries.
Love strawberries? Be sure to check out this round up of my favorite vegan strawberry recipes!
More Bright Spring Drink Recipes
Lavender Haze (Aviation) Cocktail
The Garden Party (Cocktail/Mocktail)
Ingredients
For cocktail pitcher base (see notes for single option):
- Juice from one orange about ⅓ cup
- 1 sprig of basil
- 6 dashes angostura bitters optional for nonalcoholic version
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 4 large strawberries sliced
- 4 oz ½ cup Lillet Blanc (ginger beer for nonalcoholic version)
- Lemon slices strawberries, and more basil to garnish
- 4 -6 cups chilled sparkling water or chilled Prosecco for a stronger cocktail
For ginger sugar:
- ⅓ cup organic cane sugar or Turbinado sugar
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger or ¼ cup candied ginger chopped
Instructions
- In a shaker, combine orange juice, basil, bitters (if using), fresh ginger, strawberries, and Lillet (or ginger beer). Use a muddler or spoon to press the ingredients down so the fruit juices release.
- Add some lemon slices, more pieces of strawberry, and a few sprigs of basil to a medium pitcher. Strain contents of shaker into the pitcher and top with cold sparkling water or chilled Prosecco just before serving.
- If desired, add sugar and ginger to a shallow bowl, stirring to combine. Rim the edges of four couple glasses with a lemon wedge and then swirl upside-down in the sugar, coating the rims in the ginger sugar mixture. Alternatively, coat just one side in the ginger sugar (like a margarita).
Anonymous says
sue0523 says
Yes, please! I'll be adding the prosecco, btw.
Emily says
Yay! Thank you for commenting!!