Winter to Spring: Seasonal Cocktails to Transition Between the Seasons
As winter’s chill fades and the first hints of spring emerge, New York City’s cocktail culture undergoes a seasonal transformation. The city’s best mixologists shift from bold, spirit-forward winter drinks to lighter, floral, and citrus-infused spring creations, crafting cocktails that bridge the gap between cozy warmth and refreshing vibrancy.
From rich Old Fashioneds infused with winter spices to effervescent spritzes bursting with floral and herbal notes, this is the time of year when cocktail menus reflect the transition between seasons. Whether you are sipping at a rooftop bar overlooking the city or mixing up a drink at home, here’s how NYC’s top bartenders are embracing the shift from winter to spring.
The Evolution of Seasonal Cocktails
Cocktail menus are carefully curated to reflect seasonal ingredients and flavors. In winter, you’ll find warming spices like cinnamon and clove, dark spirits like bourbon and cognac, and rich liqueurs. As spring approaches, the focus shifts to fresh citrus, floral infusions, and herbaceous notes.
Winter to Spring Flavor Transitions in Cocktails:
Dark spirits → Lighter spirits (Bourbon and cognac to gin and blanco tequila)
Heavy syrups → Floral & herbal infusions (Maple and brown sugar syrups to lavender and rosemary syrups)
Spiced warmth → Citrus brightness (Cinnamon and clove to fresh lemon, grapefruit, and yuzu)
Rich textures → Lighter effervescence (Creamy cocktails to spritzes and highballs)
The best cocktail bars in NYC embrace this seasonal shift, offering menus that evolve with the changing weather.
Where to Experience the Best Seasonal Cocktails in NYC
As mixologists reimagine their cocktail lists, here are some of the best spots to experience seasonal cocktails that perfectly transition from winter to spring.
1. Apotheke (Chinatown) – The Alchemy of Seasonal Cocktails
Apotheke, known for its botanical apothecary-style cocktails, transitions beautifully between seasons. Their winter menu features warm spices and rich, dark spirits, but as spring approaches, the focus shifts to floral infusions, citrus, and herbal elements.
Must-Try Seasonal Cocktail: A gin-based cocktail infused with elderflower liqueur, lavender, and citrus bitters, bridging the flavors of winter and spring.
2. Clover Club (Brooklyn) – A Masterclass in Seasonal Mixology
This Brooklyn cocktail institution is famous for its classic cocktails with a seasonal twist. As winter fades, Clover Club introduces drinks that combine the depth of winter flavors with the lightness of spring ingredients.
Must-Try Seasonal Cocktail: A whiskey sour infused with chamomile and honey, balancing the richness of winter whiskey with the brightness of early spring flavors.
3. The Roof at Park South (Flatiron) – Rooftop Cocktails for Changing Seasons
As NYC’s rooftops reopen for spring, The Roof at Park South is one of the best spots to enjoy seasonal cocktails. Their mixologists create refreshing yet layered drinks, ideal for transitional weather.
Must-Try Seasonal Cocktail: The Cucumber Mint Cooler, featuring gin, fresh lime, and muddled mint, offering a crisp and invigorating taste.
4. Sweetbriar (Flatiron) – Seasonal Ingredients Meet Elevated Cocktails
Sweetbriar is known for showcasing seasonal ingredients in both its food and cocktails. As spring approaches, their bar team incorporates fresh berries, herbs, and citrus, offering a menu that mirrors the changing season.
Must-Try Seasonal Cocktail: A rosemary and blood orange Paloma, blending winter citrus with an herbaceous spring finish.
How to Make Winter-to-Spring Cocktails at Home
If you want to create seasonally inspired cocktails at home, try these transitional recipes that blend winter warmth with spring freshness.
Lavender Lemonade Spritz – A Floral Transition into Spring
Ingredients:
1 oz gin
0.5 oz lavender syrup
0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
Sparkling water
Instructions:
Combine gin, lavender syrup, and lemon juice in a shaker with ice.
Shake well and strain into a glass filled with fresh ice.
Top with sparkling water and garnish with a sprig of lavender.
Why It Works: The lavender and gin add a wintery herbal touch, while lemon and sparkling water bring in spring freshness.
Spiced Apple Old Fashioned – A Smooth Transition from Winter
Ingredients:
2 oz bourbon
0.5 oz spiced apple syrup
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Instructions:
Stir all ingredients with ice until well-chilled.
Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
Garnish with a cinnamon stick.
Why It Works: The bourbon and spice evoke winter warmth, but the apple brings a crispness that hints at spring.
Why Seasonal Cocktails Matter
Embracing seasonal cocktails is not just about following trends—it enhances the flavor, freshness, and overall drinking experience. Seasonal ingredients are at peak quality, and flavors align with the mood and weather of the season.
Key Benefits of Seasonal Cocktails:
Ingredients are at their freshest
Flavors match the time of year, enhancing the experience
Menus stay exciting and dynamic
Mixologists across NYC take seasonal cocktail creation seriously, ensuring every drink reflects the natural transition from cozy winter comforts to fresh spring awakenings.
Master Seasonal Mixology with Art of the Cocktail
Want to learn how to craft seasonal cocktails like a pro? Art of the Cocktail offers expert-led mixology classes where you can:
Learn the art of seasonal cocktail creation, from winter warmers to spring spritzes.
Discover how top NYC mixologists balance flavors when transitioning between seasons.
Experiment with fresh ingredients, infusions, and garnishes to craft elevated drinks at home.
Whether you are a cocktail enthusiast, hosting a private event, or planning a sophisticated corporate gathering, these classes provide an interactive, upscale experience where you can learn the secrets of NYC’s best seasonal mixologists.
Savor the Seasonal Shift in Every Sip
The transition from winter to spring is one of the most exciting times for cocktail culture in NYC. It is a time when deep, rich flavors give way to floral, citrusy notes, creating cocktails that are as refreshing as the changing weather.
Whether you are indulging in a lavender-infused cocktail at a rooftop bar, sipping on a whiskey sour with chamomile in Brooklyn, or crafting your own seasonal drinks at home, there is no better time to celebrate the evolving flavors of mixology.
So raise a glass to the changing seasons, and let each cocktail tell the story of winter fading into spring.
