5 Essential Cocktails for March

Each month, Chilled is bringing you five essential cocktails based on our National Drink Day Calendar. Don’t forget to reference it so you can prepare for the upcoming holidays.

March is the perfect time to give your cocktail menu a refresh. Consumers are ready to go out to bars and restaurants now that the weather is looking up! Nevertheless, no matter the season, there are always delicious cocktails to be made. There is a little something for everyone with these five essential cocktails for March. From the whiskey drinkers to the vodka lovers—this list has it all.  

Here are five essential cocktails you should make for March.

 

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Rainbow Cocktail  

Calling all peanut butter lovers—this is for you! This Rainbow Cocktail is incredibly simple to make yet something that you’re going to love. Celebrate National Peanut Butter Lovers Day (3/1) and indulge in this whiskey-based cocktail. It’ll instantly transport you to your childhood with the use of fruity cereal milk.  

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 oz. Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey
• 3 oz. Fruity Rice Cereal Milk

Preparation: Infuse fruity rice cereal with milk. Mix and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Shake and strain into a rocks glass and garnish with whipped cream and fruity rice cereal.

 

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Pascale Espresso Martini

Last year, Chilled declared the day after Daylight Savings National Espresso Martini Day! So when you are feeling a little sluggish from the time change and need a pick-me-up on March 14, give this recipe a go. While we always love a classic cocktail, this riff on the Espresso Martini is a must-try. 

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 oz. Hennessy VS Cognac
• 3/4 oz. Kahlua
• 3/4 oz. Chestnut Liqueur
• 3/4 oz. Vanilla Demerara Sugar
• 1 1/2 oz. Fresh Espresso

Preparation: Add all ingredients to a tin, hard shake with ice, strain into coupette, garnish with 3 neatly placed coffee beans and grated nutmeg.

 

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Cucumber Gimlet 

The start of the Spring Equinox (3/2)  calls for a cocktail! Cucumber pairs beautifully in this gin cocktail. Its refreshing flavor makes it the perfect sipper for the start of the warm weather. This cocktail can easily be elevated as well. Add in fresh mint sprigs or muddled strawberries to give a different flavor profile that is still tasty for spring.  

Service Glass: Highball

Prep Glass: Mixing Glass

Garnish: Cucumber Ribbon on Clear Spear & Two Stir Straws

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 oz. Bombay Sapphire Gin
• 1 oz. Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice
• 1 oz. Simple Syrup
• 4 to 5 Slices of Cucumber

Preparation: Muddle cucumber and 3 pieces of pellet ice in mixing glass until cucumber is pureed. Add remaining ingredients to mixing glass. Add ice to mixing tin. Shake ONLY to combine. Strain over fresh pellet ice in service glass.

 

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Americano 

Vermouth Day falls on March 21, and while this day may seem a little random, don’t forget the power vermouth brings to cocktails. In the last few years, low ABV aperitifs have been all the craze. It doesn’t just belong in martinis either this spritz is great for those imbibers who want a pre-dinner cocktail.  

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Campari
• 1 oz. Sweet Vermouth
• Soda Water, to Top
• Lemon or Orange Twist, for Garnish

Preparation: Pour Campari and vermouth into a collins glass filled with ice. Top with soda water and garnish with twist.

 

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On The Edge  

Of course, we’re providing you with a whiskey cocktail to make for International Whisk(e)y Day on March 27! This cocktail is creamy and indulgent and perfect for those looking to get into the rye/whiskey world but need help to guide their palette. The mixture of Amaretto with rye plays nice in this drink.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz. Balcones Rye
• .25 oz. Amaretto
• .5 oz. Licor 43
• .5 oz. Orgeat
• .75 oz. Cream
• 1 dash Mole Bitters

Preparation: Add all ingredients to a shaker tin with ice. Shake well to incorporate and chill ingredients. Strain into a coupe glass.