The first full month of spring offers sunshine, renewal, excitement and plenty of occasions to raise a toast. Whether you’re celebrating Easter, baseball’s opening day, getting your taxes done or April Fools’ Day, here are some drink ideas to complement this blossoming time of year.

Start off the month with some pranks and a Fools’ Gold.
2 ounces vodka
2 ounces Galliano liqueur
Mix ingredients and pour into a glass. Add crushed ice.

Take a break from the garden to enjoy a colorful April Shower.
1 ounce brandy
¼ ounce yellow Chartreuse liqueur
1 ounce orange juice
Mix ingredients with ice, shake well and serve in chilled glass.

Cool off with a lighter April Rain, an adaptation of a basic vodka martini.
2 ounces vodka
½ ounce lime juice
½ ounce dry vermouth
Lime peel for garnish
Combine ingredients with ice cubes, shake well and pour into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with lime peel.

Easter Sunday falls on April 4. What better way to rejoice than with an Easter Egg?
1 ounce blue curaçao
1 ounce white crème de cacao
Half-and-half
Pour blue curaçao and crème de cacao over ice cubes in a glass. Float the half-and-half on top to taste.

Indulge your sweet tooth with an Easter Bunny.
1½ ounces dark crème de cacao
½ ounce vodka
1 teaspoon chocolate syrup
1 teaspoon cherry brandy
Pour the crème de cacao and vodka into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well. Float chocolate syrup and cherry brandy on top.

Batter up! April 5 marks opening day on the diamond. Grab a hot dog and chase it down with a Baseball Pleasure.
2 parts vodka
2 parts orange juice
1 part whiskey
1 part amaretto almond liqueur
Mix orange juice and vodka. Add whiskey and amaretto, mix and serve.

Once you’re done sprinting to get your taxes to the post office by midnight April 15, reward yourself with an Income Tax Cocktail.
2 ounces gin
¼ ounce sweet vermouth
¼ ounce dry vermouth
1 ounce orange juice
Angostura bitters to taste
Orange twist for garnish
Combine ingredients and shake. Serve over ice.

A party for the planet is set for April 22. Enjoy Earth Day with a very simple Heaven on Earth.
3 ounces vodka
8 ounces Hawaiian Punch
Combine and serve.

On April 10, 1925, the world was introduced to literary genius F. Scott Fitzgerald with the publication of The Great Gatsby. Mark the occasion with your own Great Gatsby.
2 ounces vodka
2 ounces gin
1 splash sweet vermouth
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Combine gin and vodka in a martini glass. Splash with sweet vermouth and add lemon juice.

The Titanic exhibit has returned to COSI, showcasing artifacts recovered from the ship’s fated voyage on April 15, 1912. Honor the anniversary with a Titanic Uplift.
2 ounces Midori melon liqueur
1 ounces gin
4 ounces orange juice
Shake and strain into a glass filled with ice. Garnish with melon balls.

Not in the mood to mix your own drinks? Visit M at Miranova for a spring-like Black Orchid, featuring Belvedere Black Raspberry Vodka, St. Germain Elderflower liqueur, white cranberry juice and hand-squeezed lemon. The drink is chilled by a spherical ice cube encasing an actual orchid. www.matmiranova.com.

Bel Lago’s Hoover Iced Tea is also a great way to welcome warmer weather, with Jose Cuervo tequila, Stoli vodka, Bacardi rum, Grand Marnier and Tanqueray gin. www.bellagobistro.com.
-Alicia Kelso