The Ultimate Spring Cocktail Edit: From Japanese Whisky to Effortless Highballs

There’s a certain shift that happens as spring arrives. Evenings stretch a little longer, plans feel lighter, and suddenly, a well-made drink becomes part of the ritual again, whether that’s hosting friends in the garden, pouring something cold after work, or leaning into a more considered, slow-sipping moment.

This season’s cocktail mood? A balance of elevated and effortless. Think one or two indulgent serves worth savouring, paired with easy, no-fuss options you can throw together without breaking the flow of a good evening.

Here’s what we’re drinking now.

The Indulgent One: A Spring Old Fashioned, Reimagined

If there’s one drink that feels like a quiet luxury moment, it’s this.

The Hibiki Harmony Strawberry Sakura Old Fashioned takes the structure of a classic and softens it for spring, layering delicate floral notes with a subtle sweetness that doesn’t overpower the whisky’s depth. It’s refined, slightly unexpected, and exactly the kind of serve you bring out when you want to impress without saying too much.

Ingredients:

• 50ml Hibiki Japanese Harmony

• 10ml strawberry cordial (or cherry blossom syrup)

• 2 dashes Angostura bitters

  
  

Method:

Stir over ice, strain into a glass with a large cube or sphere, and garnish with a strawberry slice (and cherry blossom if you’re feeling extra).

Available at Waitrose, Selfridges and The Whisky Exchange | RRP: £75–£89

The Effortless Classic: The Highball That Does It All

Clean, crisp, and quietly cool, the Toki Highball is having a moment, and for good reason.

With Japanese listening bar culture continuing to influence London’s drinking scene, this serve feels culturally relevant without trying too hard. It’s light, refreshing, and almost impossible to get wrong, making it ideal for hosting when you don’t want to be stuck behind the bar.

Ingredients:

• 35ml Suntory Toki Whisky

• 150ml chilled soda water

• Grapefruit twist

  
  

Method:

Fill a tall glass with ice, add the whisky, top with soda, and give it a gentle stir from bottom to top.

Available at Tesco, Amazon and The Whisky Exchange | RRP: £31–£40

The Hosting Hero: Zero Effort, Maximum Crowd Appeal

Every good host needs a cheat code, and this is it.

Jim Beam and lemonade is simple, nostalgic, and surprisingly effective when done well. Served in a jug with plenty of ice and fresh lemon, it becomes the kind of drink that keeps everyone topped up while you actually enjoy your own party.

Ingredients:

• 35ml Jim Beam White Label (or scale up for a pitcher)

• Lemonade

• Fresh lemon slices

  
  

Method:

Build over ice, stir, and serve. That’s it.

Available at Tesco and Amazon | RRP: £20–£25 (often on offer)

The Twist: A Paloma, But Warmer, Brighter, Better

The Cuban Paloma is what happens when a classic gets a little more personality.

Swapping tequila for rum brings a softer, more rounded flavour, while pink grapefruit keeps things sharp and refreshing. The Tajín rim adds just enough edge to make it feel considered—without losing that easy-drinking appeal.

Ingredients:

• 50ml Ron Santiago de Cuba Carta Blanca

• 25ml fresh lime juice

• 5ml agave syrup

• Pink grapefruit soda

  
  

Method:

Rim the glass with Tajín, build over ice, top with soda, and stir.

Available at The Whisky Exchange | RRP: £21–£24

The Budget-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: Tropical, Easy, Done

Not every drink needs to be serious.

The Jim Beam Pineapple Highball leans into fun, sweet, refreshing, and perfect for those moments when you just want something that tastes like sunshine without overthinking it.

Ingredients:

• 35ml Jim Beam Pineapple

• Lemonade (or soda)

  
  

Method:

Pour over ice, stir, garnish with lime or pineapple, and you’re done.

Available at Asda | RRP: £15.50

The Aperitivo Alternative: Not Your Usual Spritz

If you’re over the standard orange spritz, this is your upgrade.

The Santiago Spritz brings a fresher, slightly more complex profile—balancing honeyed sweetness with lime and a clean soda finish. It’s lighter than it looks, and ideal for those early evening drinks that turn into something longer.

Ingredients:

• 50ml Ron Santiago de Cuba Añejo 8 Year Old

• 40ml honey syrup

• 20ml fresh lime juice

• Soda water

  
  

Method:

Build over ice, top with soda, stir lightly, and serve.

Available at Tesco and Waitrose | RRP: £20–£25