Spring cocktail recipes Yorkers love
Whether it’s Easter, Mother’s Day or simply just a celebration of warmer weather around the corner, there’s something particularly pleasurable about lounging back and sipping on a delicious spring cocktail. That’s why we teamed up with three different York County restaurants to share their favorite spring cocktail recipes that’ll make any gathering celebration-worthy. Check out the fruity concoctions below.
Pineapple Cherry Blossom
York’s The First Post bartender Jen Mader recommends the Pineapple Cherry Blossom, a personal and customer favorite.
“I love our Pineapple Cherry Blossom because it’s refreshing and a little sweet,” Mader said. “It’s definitely not like those drinks I am sure we’ve all had that are just way too sugary, this is just the perfect combo between pineapple and cherry.”
Mader adds that people come to The First Post York bar because of the wide drink selection and cozy atmosphere.
“Customers really enjoy the high ceilings, woodwork and coziness that the space gives off,” she said. “The other great thing about our bar is that there’s pretty much something for everybody. We really try to have a little bit of everything on the menu to cater to different peoples likes and needs.”
Ingredients
1 1/2 oz vanilla vodka
1 1/2 oz Amaretto Disaronno
1 1/2 pineapple juice
Cherry ice cube
Pineapple wedge
Directions: Shake ingredients together in a shaker with a small handful of ice and strain into a martini glass. Serve over a cherry and garnish with a pineapple wedge.
Also try: Key Lime Margarita
Honeydew Bliss
“Our spring cocktail “Honeydew Bliss” is better than a honey-do list any day of the week,” said Meghan Smith, restaurant manager at The Accomac.
Their spring cocktail menu is set to have a lot of fresh and local ingredients including rhubarb, strawberries, honeycomb and cucumbers.
“We gather the freshest ingredients to infuse our drinks and alcohols with, then marry them with classic flavor profiles to create a cocktail that our guests long to come back for,” said Smith, adding that The Accomac’s repertoire for seasonal sips is one of the things they are known for.
“Whether it’s our staple culinary cocktails or our seasonal variety, The Accomac does not lack in potent drinks with local flavor,” she said.
Ingredients
1 oz Bombay Gin, house infused with honey
1.5 oz Tito’s Handmade Vodka
10-15 blueberries
¼ oz simple syrup
1 sprig mint, leaves removed and stem discarded
1 scoop house made honeydew honey gin sorbet
Directions: Muddle mint, blueberries and simple syrup. Fill shaker with ice, then add honey gin and vodka. Pour, with ice, into a mason jar with a citrus- herb- sugar rim. Garnish with mint leaves, blueberries and a scoop of honeydew honey gin sorbet.
Also try: Pomegranate Jalapeño Cosmo
Paddock Derby Spring Sangria
Jonathan Spanos, third generation proprietor of The Paddock on Market, takes great pride serving the Family’s Secret Spring Sangria which is an East York favorite.
“We use a Local Co-Op and two farms for our fresh raspberries, and a local vineyards first spring press of rose blush,” said Spanos. “Over the next three weeks we will be making 30 to 50 gallons of Our Derby Sangria. The recipe dates back to 1947 as the Paddock was the only Tavern at the time in East York. It remains the Oldest Family Owned and Operated Tavern in East York to date.”
Spanos said that their grandfather Kostas originally made the wine for the Spring Sangria.
“It kept him out of our grandmother’s Katherine’s way during the Long Winter,” he said laughing. “We now use a local vendor which matches our family’s original table wine.”
Ingredients
1/2 cup VSQ Brandy
1/4 cup fresh Meyer Lemon Zest and Juice
1/4 cup fresh Local Raspberries
1/3 cup Paddock secret Lemonade
1/3 cup Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice
1 (750 milliliter) Spring Rose Red
1/2 cup Triple Sec
1 Meyer Lemon, sliced into rounds
1 Navel Orange, sliced into rounds
1 Lime, sliced into rounds
8 Maraschino Cherries
2 Cups Carbonated Water (optional)
Directions: In a large pitcher or bowl, mix together the brandy, lemon juice, lemonade, orange juice, red wine, triple sec, and sugar. Float slices of lemon, orange and lime, and maraschino cherries in the mixture. Refrigerate overnight for best flavor. Add club soda just before serving.
Also try: Fresh Pink Mango Martini