Refreshing Cocktail and Mocktail Recipes for Spring and Summer Catered Events

With warm weather and patio season comes outdoor events and celebrations aplenty, and we can definitely ‘cheers’ to that. The delicious array of dishes at your full-service catered event should also have delightful libations to satiate your guests.

Our Beverage Operations Manager, Lyndsay, is back with another sumptuous round of refreshing cocktails and mocktails fit for a variety of occasions in spring and summer.

Adding signature beverages to your event can not only make it more memorable, but they also help your guests feel like they’re a part of something special. Our talented team can help customize your cocktails and mocktails to match the branding of your event and your vision for a well-rounded experience.

In this blog you’ll find a few suggestions of unique beverages to include in your spring and summer catered events with delectable pairings with dishes across our full-service menus courtesy of our Executive Chef, Carlos.

Spring signature cocktail and mocktail recipes

Springtime invites the beginnings of outdoor events with lush florals (ground-breaking, we know) and filling meals. Whether it be an intimate bridal shower with a high tea themed menu or a bustling corporate mixer with tons of stations, let’s find a vernal beverage pairing to remember.

1. Lavender Gin & Tonic

@thats.thespirits on Instagram

The Lavender Gin & Tonic is a simple, yet elegant cocktail known for its herbal notes while not being overpowering. The lavender simple syrup imbues a regular gin and tonic with a subtle floral essence that transforms a classic into a staple.

Perfect for spring garden parties and upscale brunches, the Lavender Gin & Tonic pairs wonderfully with our Crème Brûlée French Toast and Raspberry Babka.

Planning your wedding for the spring? The Lavender Gin & Tonic also pairs nicely with our Tiny Fish Taco hors d’Oeuvres and our Lake Superior White Fish Acapulco entrée. Thank you to @thats.thespirits for this lovely and light libation.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ oz Empress 1908 Indigo Gin
• 1 oz lemon juice
• ½ oz lavender syrup
• Tonic water
• 1-2 lemon wheel(s), for garnish
• Lavender Buds, for garnish

Directions:

1. Add gin & lavender simple syrup to a shaker over ice, then shake it up.
2. Pour over ice and top with tonic water.
3. Garnish with slices of lemon and top with lavender buds as desired.

2. Lemon Chamomile Spritz Mocktail

@pourfectionmobilebars on Instagram

Bring your tea party catering to life with an equally lively mocktail from @pourfesctionsmobilebars – perfect for baby showers and other high tea events. The Lemon Chamomile Spritz Mocktail has a notable earthy and herbal taste, balanced by the sweetness of honey and tartness of lemon juice.

The depth of this mocktail pairs well with our heavier “Pasta Made Your Way” station from our Grazing & Action Stations Menu. We recommend dressing up your pasta with alfredo sauce and shrimp to draw out all the best notes from the Lemon Chamomile Spritz Mocktail.

Ingredients:

• 3 oz chilled chamomile tea
• 1 oz lemon juice
• ½ oz honey
• Top with sparkling water
• 1 lemon wheel, for garnish
• 1 sprig of thyme, for garnish

Directions:

1. Add chilled chamomile tea, lemon juice, honey to a glass over ice.
2. Top with sparkling water of choice.
3. Stir gently to combine elements.
4. Garnish with a lemon wheel and sprig of thyme.

3. Irish Maid

@jackmcgarry1 on Instagram | Jack McGarry – The Dead Rabbit

The Irish Maid will turn non-whiskey people into whiskey lovers with its bright, fruit-forward flavor. This unexpected cocktail from Jack McGarry is truly delightful as the perfect aperitif to our cauliflower-based dishes.

For galas or special catered events with plated meals, we recommend pairing the Irish Maid with our Cauliflower Quinoa Flatbread hors d’Oeuvres, and for the main course, our vegan Cauliflower Steak entrée. We used Jameson in our rendition, but The Dead Rabbit has their own Irish whiskey as well. Give the Irish Maid a try at your next seated spring function!

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Irish whiskey
• ½ oz elderflower liqueur
• ¾ oz lemon juice
• ½ oz simple syrup
• 2 slices cucumber, for garnish
• 1 lemon wheel, for garnish
• 1 large ice block or ball

Directions:

1. Combine Irish whiskey, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, and simple syrup over ice in a shaker, and shake it up.
2. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice block.
3. Garnish with slices of cucumber and lemon wheel.

4. Whiskey Smash

Victoria McGinley

Speaking of whiskey, the love continues with the Whiskey Smash – a super smooth and surprising cocktail for spring leading into summer. The Whiskey Smash from Victoria McGinely is divinely sweet but not overwhelmingly so. The muddled mint infuses with the tartness of the lemon and is brought together by the whiskey and simple syrup.

For our rendition, we used Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, which is featured on our Platinum bar package among a list of higher shelf spirits. Our Executive Chef recommends pairing this understated cocktail with our Western Ave Pub Crawl station and its BBQ Chicken Wings or our Southern Comfort station and its traditional Southern Fried Chicken Breast.

Ingredients:

• 2 lemon wedges
• 2-3 sprigs of mint (8-10 leaves)
• ¾ oz simple syrup
• 1 oz water
• 1 ½ oz whiskey

Directions:

1. In a shaker, combine lemon, mint leaves, simple syrup and water.
2. With a muddler, crush the lemon and mint together until the mixture is well muddled.
3. Pour the whiskey on top, cover the shaker and shake well.
4. Fill a lowball glass with ice, pour over mint, and garnish with mint sprig.

Summer signature cocktail recipes

As spring gives way to summer, the weather continues to warm, and the parties continue to grow! From weddings to corporate picnics, a refreshing beverage is just the thing to appease your guests under the sun.

1. Mermaid Water

@bitsbitesblog on Instagram

Who doesn’t enjoy rum under the summer sun? Mermaid Water is a captivating cocktail from @bitsbitesblog that combines both spiced and light rum with summer flavors to dazzling effect. With light coconut aromatics, Mermaid Water is understated yet stimulating. It pairs well with different ceviche-based items across our menus.

Planning your catered wedding menu? Try our Skyline Transparent Wall for cocktail hour with our Ceviche Shooter, composed of fresh fish cured with lime juice and tossed with red onion, cucumber, and cilantro. Or try our passed Grilled & Chilled Pesto Shrimp Skewer hors d’Oeuvres.

Want to really wow your guests? Our Randolph Street Market Spectacular Chilled Seafood Bar has a divine Seafood Ceviche along with Shrimp Cocktail and Seared Ahi-Tuna Carpaccio fitting for upscale special catered events.

 

 

Ingredients:

• 1 oz spiced rum
• 1 oz coconut rum
• 1 ½ oz pineapple juice
• ½ oz lime juice
• ¾ oz blue curaçao
• 1 cucumber stick, for garnish

Directions:

1. Combine spiced rum, coconut rum, blue curaçao, lime juice, and pineapple juice in a shaker over ice. Shake well.
2. Strain into a glass filled with ice.
3. Garnish with cucumber and lime wheel as desired.

2. Pink Pony Club Mocktail

@holisticrendezvous on Instagram

The Pink Pony Club Mocktail is the perfect Pride drink for June! From @holisticrendezvous on Instagram, this fruity mocktail is full of flavor and fun and looks beautiful to boot. The Pink Pony Club combines a plethora of delicious fruity juices and syrups and is garnished by a lovely grapefruit zest rim with dried rose petals and flaky sea salt.

Sport this lovely mocktail alongside our West Loop Charcuterie Board or Gourmet Vegetable Crudité with hummus – perfect for open grazing and mingling amongst your guests. Reception catering never looked or tasted so gorgeous!

Ingredients:

For mocktail:

• 2 ½ oz grapefruit juice
• ¾ oz rosemary thyme syrup
• ¾ oz dragon fruit syrup
• ½ oz lime juice
• 2 oz sparkling water
• 1 grapefruit slice, for garnish

For rim:

• Grapefruit zest
• Dried rose petals
• Flaky sea salt

Directions:

1. Combine grapefruit juice, rosemary thyme syrup, dragon fruit syrup, and lime juice in a shaker over ice. Shake well.
2. Rim a rocks glass with lime juice followed by dipping it into the combination of grapefruit zest, dried rose petals, and flaky sea salt.
3. Strain mixture into the rimmed glass over ice and top with sparkling water.
4. Garnish with a grapefruit slice if desired.

3. Kentucky Buck

@hungrybartender on Instagram | Erick Castro-Diaz

Rethink your derby day drink – the Kentucky Buck is racing into first place! This tart cocktail from Erick Castro-Diaz contains a sweet kick from strawberries and subtle spice from bourbon and ginger beer.

A well-rounded and rejuvenating experience, this new bourbon favorite would go smashingly with our Wrigleyville Sliders Station and in particular with our Pulled Pork Slider, Fried Chicken & Waffle Slider, and our Vegan BBQ Jackfruit slider to name a few. Perfect for all summertime sports, the Kentucky Buck can take your corporate function catering to memorable new heights.

Ingredients:

• 2 whole strawberries
• 1 lemon wheel
• 2 oz bourbon
• 0.75 oz lemon juice
• 0.25 oz simple syrup
• 2 dashes of aromatic bitters
• 3 oz ginger beer
• 1 lemon wheel, for garnish

Directions:

1. Combine strawberries and lemon into a shaker and muddle them together.
2. Add simple syrup, bourbon, lemon juice, and aromatic bitters into the shaker. Shake again.
3. In a glass filled with ice, strain mixture into glass and top with ginger beer.
4. Garnish with lemon wheel.

4. Aperol Coconut Margarita

@thecocktailmama on Instagram

What screams summer more than Aperol and a margarita? The Aperol Coconut Margarita is the pinnacle of a summer cocktail for those who think they don’t like Aperol.

The Aperol is cut with a sweetness from the coconut purée while not losing its signature tartness. By garnishing with an orange wheel, you get a nice fresh citrus flavor and aroma bringing the drink together. We’re proud to feature Inspiro Tequila on our Platinum Beverage Package as a woman-owned company that crafts incredible tequilas with no additive flavors – and it’s gluten free! The tequila blends nicely into this cocktail and pairs well with our Coconut Shrimp (of course) hors d’Oeuvres and our Shrimp & Scallop entrée for the main course.

This margarita is perfect for outdoor events in the sun, like a wedding cocktail hour at The Old Post Office’s gorgeous rooftop in the city or a cocktail reception at Community House Winnetka’s whimsical garden in the suburbs.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz Inspiro Tequila Blanco
• ¾ oz Aperol
• 1 oz coconut purée
• ¾ oz lime juice
• 1 orange wheel, for garnish

Directions:

1. Combine tequila, Aperol, coconut purée, and lime juice over ice in a shaker. Shake well.
2. Strain into a rocks glass over ice.
3. Garnish with an orange wheel.

Want more cocktail and mocktail inspiration?

View our brand-new Crafted Libations Menu, chock-full of classic and creative cocktails and mocktails. We have listed a few suggestions per spirit that we provide across all of our beverage package options.

Want to make a change to a listed cocktail? No problem! The libations listed are just suggestions. Feel free to spruce up any of the options or make a whole new cocktail with the help of your paired sales specialist!

Want to learn even more about how signature beverages can take your event to the next level? Check out our previous blog post all about it! We have also previously covered fall and winter cocktails among many others, so be sure to get even more inspiration from those blogs.

Choose Catered by Design for your beverage catering service

Ready to get started planning your event? Our Chicago beverage catering packages include, but are not limited to, our Premium, Prestige, and Platinum bars. Each offers a wide range of options that include top-tier liquor, wine, and beer brands to meet individual needs.

Let us help elevate your signature cocktail offerings throughout the warmer months and beyond. View our beverage catering packages or contact us if you have questions about our services, and stay tuned, as always, for more curated catered cocktails!