Say Hello to Spring Cocktails

This winter was all about staying warm—now, spring drinks are here to thaw us out of the frozen North, one sip at a time! As the days get longer and the world starts to hum with life, we’re taking cocktail cues from the season’s first wildflowers, pastel skies, and the vibrant return of fresh produce. Think bursts of blueberry, bright citrus, tender herbs, and floral aromas that bloom in your glass!

And with Mother's Day brunches, graduation parties, and Father's Day cookouts just around the corner, these cocktails are made for raising a glass. Each recipe comes with batching instructions so you can serve a crowd—because the best moments are meant to be toasted together.

LA PLAYA

A Classic with a Twist

Level up your margarita with our Silver American Single Malt Whiskey! With notes of tropical fruit, crisp citrus, and rich herbs, the La Playa will be a cocktail you return to time and time again during warmer months.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ oz Brother Justus Silver Whiskey 

• 1 oz Grand Marnier or Cointreau Orange Liqueur 

• 1 oz fresh lime juice 

• ½ oz simple syrup 

• 2 dashes salt water (2 parts salt to 1 part water)

• Coarse salt for the rim and a lime wedge for garnish

How to Make It

1. Rim the edge of a rocks glass with lime juice, then coat in coarse salt.

2. Shake all ingredients (except salt and garnish) and strain into the Rocks glass over fresh ice.

3. Garnish with a lime wheel – dehydrated or fresh – and enjoy!

La Playa for 10

• 2 ½  cups Brother Justus Silver Whiskey 

• 1 ¼ cup Grand Marnier or Cointreau Orange Liqueur 

• 1 ¼ cup fresh lime juice 

• ¾ oz simple syrup 

• 20 dashes saltwater

• Coarse salt for the rim and a lime wedge for garnish

Combine all ingredients except garnishes in a pitcher with ice and heavily stir to incorporate; or, combine all ingredients in a blender and blend on high for 5-7 seconds (for a frozen drink, add ice until desired consistency is reached). Serve over ice in a rocks glass, garnish, sip, and enjoy!

LAVENDER FIELDS

A Thirst Quencher

Combining Brother Justus American Single Malt Whiskey with fresh blueberry and lavender gives this drink a fruit-forward vibe you’ll want to savor all season long.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ oz Brother Justus American Single Malt Whiskey  

• 1 oz fresh lemon juice 

• ¾ oz lavender blueberry syrup (recipe below)

• Garnish: Lavender sprig/dehydrated lemon coin 

How to Make It

To Make the Lavender Blueberry Syrup:

1. Add 2 Tbsp dried lavender, 1 cup white sugar, and 1 cup water to a pot and bring to a low simmer for five minutes, stirring occasionally.

2. After five minutes, strain syrup into a bowl to remove and dispose of the lavender. Add the syrup back to the pot, then add ½ cup blueberries and simmer for another 5-7 minutes.

3. Once the blueberries begin to burst and release color, remove the pot from heat and add the contents to a blender. Blend lightly for 10 seconds, then strain syrup into a bowl to remove any blueberry skins or seeds. 

4. Let syrup cool to room temperature before use in a cocktail; refrigerate for up to two weeks.

To Make the Cocktail:

1. Add whiskey, lemon juice, and syrup to a shaking tin with ice. Shake until well chilled and incorporated.

2. Strain into a Collins glass over fresh ice.

3. Garnish with a lavender sprig and lemon wheel, savor, and enjoy!

Lavender Fields for 16

• 1 750ml bottle of Brother Justus American Single Malt Whiskey

• 1 cup lavender blueberry syrup

• 2 cups fresh lemon juice

• 10 ice cubes

Combine all ingredients in a large punch bowl or pitcher and stir well (the ice cubes will melt to dilute the cocktail to the appropriate amount). Use a ladle to serve into a Collins or rocks glass with fresh ice. Garnish with a lemon wedge and a sprig of lavender and enjoy!

The Golden Hour

A Tart, Herbaceous Sipper

Reminiscent of a Salty Dog, with the depth of flavor of our Cold-Peated® Whiskey, the unexpected flavors in the Golden Hour shine as bright as the afternoon sunshine.

What You Need

• 1 ½ oz Brother Justus Cold-Peated® Whiskey

• ¾ oz fresh grapefruit Juice

• ¾ oz Gold Syrup

• ½ oz fresh lemon juice

• Ice

How to Make It

To Make the Rosemary Honey Syrup:

1. Soak 3 sprigs of fresh rosemary in one cup of warm water for at least one hour, up to five hours. Then, strain the rosemary from the water (don't discard yet!) and combine the rosemary-infused water and one cup of honey in a pot; set to low heat on the stovetop.

2. Stir to incorporate the honey and water. Once the liquid begins to simmer, turn off the heat and pour your liquid into a medium bowl, adding back the rosemary sprigs. Let the rosemary infuse the syrup for at least 20 minutes.

3. Filter through a strainer and refrigerate once the liquid has reached room temperature. The syrup will last approximately 14 days in your refrigerator.

To Make The Golden Hour:

1. Combine whiskey, fresh grapefruit juice, rosemary honey syrup, and lemon juice in a strainer with ice and shake until well chilled.

2. Strain into a Collins or rocks glass over a large ice cube, garnish with a grapefruit peel rip, and enjoy! Optional: mix a pinch of dried rosemary with a little sea salt, and rim your glass using grapefruit juice as the binding liquid!

Golden Hour for 10

• 15 oz Brother Justus Cold-Peated® Whiskey

• 7.5 oz grapefruit juice

• 7.5 oz rosemary honey syrup

• 5 oz lemon juice

• 10 ice cubes

Combine all ingredients in a large punch bowl or pitcher and stir well (the ice cubes will melt to dilute the cocktail to the appropriate amount). Use a ladle to serve into a Collins or rocks glass with fresh ice.

Now, all that’s left is the whiskey! Shop online today or use the Store Locator to find a bottle near you, or stop by the Distillery to pick up your bottle.

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