Here are the most Instagram-worthy cocktails you have to try this summer

With spring in full swing, you know what that means.

The sun is out, the weather is slowly warming up (fingers crossed we can avoid spring showers for just a while longer), and everyone is slowly and surely coming out of hibernation to enjoy patio season and dining outdoors.

But if you’re in the mood to let your inner bartender come out and play, we’ve got just the cocktails for you to win the brunch game heading into the summer. Mimosas are great, but let’s be honest, you can do better than that.

BC Liquor Stores have teamed up with local Vancouverite and international award-winning bartender David Wolowidnyk to create these delicious sparkling wine cocktails to help you become the best host this season.

Holiday Passion Cocktail

Ingredients:

• 60 ml passionfruit juice
• 15 ml lemon juice
• 15 ml coconut syrup
• 60 ml Bodacious Bubbles
• 5 ml Victoria Distillers Empress 1908 Gin
• 1 fresh passionfruit, cut in half (for garnish)

Method:

Half fill a Collins glass with crushed ice. In a cocktail shaker with cubed ice, combine passionfruit juice, lemon juice, and coconut syrup. Shake vigorously and strain into Collins glass, and top up with sparkling wine. Fill Collins glass with crushed ice, top with gin, and garnish with half a passionfruit.

Peachy Keen Cocktail

Ingredients:

• 30 ml Ciroc Peach Vodka
• 60 ml peach nectar
• 15 ml lemon juice
• 15 ml Simple Syrup*
• 60 ml Bottega Moscato
• Sliced peach or nectarine (for garnish)

*1:1 ratio of sugar dissolved in boiling water. Allow to cool before using.

Method:

In a mixing glass with ice, combine Ciroc Peach Vodka, peach nectar, and lemon juice, and stir to chill. Strain into a glass, top with Moscato and garnish with a slice of peach or nectarine.

Pink Flamingo Cocktail

Ingredients:

• 15 ml Aviation American Gin
• 60 ml pink grapefruit juice
• 7 ml Honey Cordial*
• 15 ml lemon juice
• 1 dash Scrappy’s Lavender Bitters**
• 60 ml Bolla Prosecco
• 1 sprig lavender, fresh or dried (for garnish)

*3:1 ratio of honey dissolved in boiling water. Allow to cool before using.

**Available at specialty stores.

Method:

In a cocktail shaker with cubed ice, combine gin, grapefruit juice, Honey Cordial, lemon juice, and lavender bitters. Shake vigorously. Pour Prosecco into a chilled flute glass before slowly straining the cocktail into Prosecco and garnish with a sprig of lavender. Pour sparkling wine first before adding any juice to prevent foaming over.

Luscious Lemon Cocktail

Ingredients:

• 60 ml Rossi d’Asiago Limoncello
• 30 ml lemon juice
• 90 ml Villa Teresa Prosecco Frizzante
• 1 skewer of blueberries (for garnish)

Method:

Pour limoncello, lemon juice and Prosecco into a glass with ice. Gently stir to combine and garnish with a skewer of blueberries.

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This spring, if you’re looking for the perfect gift or wine for any occasion, BC Liquor Stores have selected a few fantastic wines that will be sure to make that special someone swoon.

Veuve Clicquot Rosé Champagne

This elegant rosé Champagne shows fine balance, along with vibrant acidity. Featuring ripe strawberry, raspberry, white peach and kumquat flavours, try serving this wine with tuna tartare, beef carpaccio, or Peking duck.

Pol Roger Cuvée de Réserve Champagne Brut

You’ll taste layers of bright pear, apple, quince and apricot meld seamlessly with delicate vanilla, brioche and floral notes in this elegant Champagne. Enjoy with that special someone over a dozen fresh oysters.

Stag’s Leap Napa Valley Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon

This is one of the top wines in Napa Valley. Named after Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt, this is the perfect wine for the goddesses in your life.

Fontanafredda Barolo

This beautifully complex Barolo is dark and brooding, yet elegant in style. It features dried rose petals, leather, eucalyptus, tar, and truffle notes, as well as red cherry, plum, and wild berry. This wine is a match made in heaven with truffles.

Be sure to check out BC Liquor’s TASTE Magazine for more cocktail, gift ideas, and food recipes for any occasion or celebration this summer.

Cheers and please enjoy responsibly!