These fresh and simple cocktails make the best of the new season.

The sun is shining, the days are getting longer, and picnics are the hottest ticket in town – that’s right, spring is here! As winter fades, you’ve no doubt found yourself craving some bright new flavours. Drinks during spring are all about celebrating fresh flavours without overcomplicating them. Forget the recipes that call for hundreds of ingredients, all you really need is a couple of good bottles and some fresh produce. It should be as easy as one, two, three, drink.

To make the most of the new season we’ve pulled together five of our favourite fresh and simple cocktail recipes you should be sipping on this season.

1. Aperol Spritz

The Aperol Spritz has been everywhere over in recent years – and for good reason. It’s a bright, simple and refreshing classic that you can whip up in a flash. Do as the Italians do and enjoy it as an aperitivo to wake up your tastebuds before a delectable meal. Delizioso!

2. Tom Collins

The classic Tom Collins has stood the test of time for over a century and is one of those classic cocktails that everybody should know how to throw together. And it couldn’t be simpler than shaking together your favourite gin, some fresh lemon juice and simple syrup before topping up with soda. It’s a perfectly balanced mix of sweet and sour that’ll drink beautifully on a sunny spring afternoon.

3. Margarita

There’s something so festive about a Margarita. Whenever you whip one up, it really feels like the start of something special. The most famous tequila cocktail in the world, the Margarita has been a beloved favourite since the ‘40s thanks to its zingy freshness. And that’s just the classic – there’s plenty of room for you to tweak the drink to your taste. Like it spicy? Try a Jalapeño Margarita. Prefer something sweeter? Then a Tommy’s Margarita might be the one for you.

4. Daiquiri

When it comes to making cocktails, it doesn’t get much easier than a Daiquiri. It’s really as simple as mix, shake, strain, drink. And it’s this simplicity that makes it such a great cocktail for spring – fresh ingredients mixed together and celebrated. This classic Daiquiri recipe takes the drink back to its Cuban origins, which means white rum and plenty of lime. It all comes together to make an elegant sour drink that’s as bright as the springtime.

5. Bellini

The Bellini might be famous as a brunch cocktail, but don’t be fooled into thinking that’s all they’re good for. This Venetian classic is just as good before dinner as it is over brunch. The secret to a good Bellini is using good peaches – the better the fruit, the better the Bellini. Traditionally it’s made with white peaches, but there’s nothing wrong with using yellow. Here in Australia, peaches are in season from mid-spring right through summer, making this the perfect sparkling wine cocktail for the season.