Strawberry Basil Garden Spritz

Gorgeous pink strawberry basil spritz cocktails are the perfect celebratory drink for Spring! The sweet and herbal flavors mix with lemon and elderflower liqueur to produce a drink with depth that is airy and light.

When I’m hosting a spring dinner party—or really any kind of spring gathering—I love to serve a signature cocktail that feels light, airy, and just a little sweet. Like so much of the season, a drink like this feels hopeful and full of possibility, with a subtle, feminine wink that’s perfect for warmer days.

Strawberry and basil are a natural pairing. Sweet and herbal, they play beautifully off one another, balancing that line between fresh and indulgent. And of course, the soft pink color doesn’t hurt either.

This Strawberry Basil Garden Spritz builds on that combination with the addition of lemon and elderflower liqueur. Muddled together, they create a bright, lightly floral base that feels reminiscent of garden parties and long evenings outdoors. Topped with prosecco, the result is a cocktail that’s both airy and grounded—fresh, sparkling, and just a little unexpected.

This recipe is part of my Perfect Pairings: Strawberry & Basil for Spring Menus series, where I focus on flavor combinations that can be used across multiple dishes and occasions. Alongside this spritz, I’ve paired a rustic strawberry basil crostata—two simple components that can be mixed into a variety of spring menus to create gatherings that feel both thoughtful and effortless.

This is the kind of cocktail that works almost anywhere. Serve it at brunch for something a bit more special than a mimosa, offer it to guests as they arrive, or pair it with dessert at the end of a dinner party. The soft pink hue also makes it especially fitting for more celebratory occasions—an engagement party, a baby shower, or any gathering that calls for something a little extra.

Hosting Notes

• When muddling these drinks, do so lightly. Keep the basil in tact to release its flavor but not to completely destroy it.
• These Strawberry Basil Garden Spritz cocktails can be served either strained or unstrained depending on the look you’re going for. Unstrained is beautiful because you get to see the strawberry and basil in the glass. It provides a more rustic look. Strain them if you’d like to serve in a coupe or champagne glass, as I did in the photos.
• Add a splash of soda water on top for a drink that’s lighter and more airy.
• For a cocktail that’s a bit sweeter, make a strawberry basil simple syrup in advance. Bring equal parts sugar and water to a boil in a small saucepan and add strawberries and basil. Turn the heat off and let them steep. Then strain. Use an ounce of the strawberry basil syrup with the lemon juice, elderflower liqueur, and prosecco for a sweeter cocktail that’s easy for hosting.
• Take these cocktails on a picnic by preparing the base of the cocktail in advance and straining into a resealable jar. Then bring the jar and a bottle of Prosecco with you on the picnic for cocktails on the go.
• If you would like to serve these at a brunch and want to batch them, make the base of it in advance. Set that out in a small pitcher and open a bottle of prosecco beside it so guests can serve themselves.

A Cocktail for Spring Hosting

These Strawberry Basil Garden Spritz cocktails are a part of my Perfect Pairing series, which is designed to show off recipes that can be interchanged into lots of my Spring menus. This prosecco cocktail is perfect for that as it can be added seamlessly into so many of my menus on the site. Try it with:

• I love these cocktails for brunch–they’re light and airy and sweet and herbal. Try them as an addition to my Brunch for the First Signs of Spring.
• Add them to a Casual Dinner Party. While the event may be laid back, the drinks bring a bit of elegance and sophistication.
• Try them with my Modern Spring Dinner Party Menu which features the silkiest green pasta for spring. This would make a lovely celebratory dinner for friends.
• They fit right in with my Bright Early Spring Dinner Party Menu too. That menu is so elegant and easy with salmon, smashed red potatoes, and roast grapefruit.