These are the cocktails you should be drinking this spring (and the dishes to pair them with)

Words: Josh Lee

In association with:

In December, we tried injecting a bit of life into the bitter winter weeks by partnering with MOTH to curate a list of alternative Christmas traditions, the aim of which was to keep the season’s festivities fresh and interesting. Now, with the darkness having seemingly lifted, and with the promise of brighter months ahead, we’ve teamed up with the canned-drinks label once again to showcase some ways you can celebrate the fine weather.

Launched in 2021, MOTH has drawn a dedicated following due to the fact it’s brought vibrant, bar-quality cocktails to living rooms, parks, festivals and social dos across the country (and beyond). Packaged in design-led, matte-black cans and filled with libations that are true to serve and strength, the considered range focuses on classic cocktails, including a Margarita, Espresso Martini and Negroni.

Here, to get you looking forward to the season ahead, and to get you and your friends around the table – moments that start with light, airy afternoons and run into the depths of the morning – we’ve picked a selection of MOTH cocktails that will suit your out-of-hours meet-ups, and also suggest the dishes and snacks that best complement them. After all, something’s gotta fuel those long al fresco hours when the feel-good spirit seems like it’ll never end.

Typically vibrant and sharp, the Margarita speaks of brighter-season moments, and MOTH’s smooths things out by using Tequila Enemigo’s easy-to-sip spirit. To collide beautifully with the zesty hits, we’d suggest Mexican fare, which is venerated for its fresh flavours – tacos al pastor is a good place to start, as is a spread of tostadas. Squeezes of lime juice (which are common on the above plates) will also enhance the fresh smack of the Margarita. For best serve, we’d recommend salting the rim of a martini glass and serving MOTH’s Margarita chilled.

MOTH’s Mojito is a bittersweet, juicy libation, one that brings to mind afternoons under the parasol and by the pool, with a few easygoing tracks playing gently in the background. Within the context of balmier climes, and because brightness shines through each sip, this canned cocktail is better suited for fresh dishes – here, we’re thinking Peruvian ceviches, which are known for tangy hits; plates of nigiri; and made-on-the-spot salads that showcase produce that’s best in season. If you’re feeling fancy, pour MOTH’s Mojito over ice in a highball glass and garnish with mint.

One of the most memorable drinks we’ve had in recent years, MOTH’s version of this good-times classic eschews the frothy feel of the conventional mix and hones in on the silky quality. Due to its pineapple-forward notes and flavours of coconut, it’s best that you counterbalance the sweetness with something a bit tingly and spicy; again, ceviche will do the trick, with its waves of chilli, but you might also want to consider wasabi peas or hot wings as a party snack. For those wishing to really emphasise the tropical quality, pour MOTH’s Piña Colada over ice in a highball glass and place a pineapple leaf on top.

Few drinks are as synonymous with Italian culture than this carefully curated blend. The fiery, golden hue; the fizz of the soda; the bitter hit of the orange – all these qualities speak of La Dolce Vita. Keep things classic here, we say, so go for Italian smash-hits including charcuterie and cheese boards; a variety of crostini and cicchetti; and, often, we like to dabble in gnocco fritto, a speciality of fried dough that originates from Emilia-Romagna. To serve MOTH’s Aperitivo Spritz, grab as big of a wine glass as you can find, load it up with ice, pour gently and garnish with a slice of orange.

MOTH bills its Paloma as a ‘pink party in your mouth,’ a description that owes to its use of smooth Tequila Enemigo, bittersweet grapefruit zest, kick of lime and fizzing bump of soda. One of the newest cocktails to the MOTH range, the Paloma is great for festivals, house parties and soirées, and, because it’s suited for a high-ball glass (a vessel common in spirited cocktail bars) it’s naturally good for snack-type dishes and small plates. As it leans ever so slightly towards the fruity-sweet end of the spectrum, it’s best offset by some salt – yakitori makes sense here, as do sliders and soft pretzels. Show off MOTH’s Paloma over ice in a highball glass and garnish with a juicy wedge of grapefruit.

The Cosmopolitan has a certain assertiveness to its character, from its tart-sweet characteristic to the rich hue of its red-pink appearance. A new addition to its range, MOTH elevates this bar classic by drawing upon Wood Brothers Vodka, and triple sec. Often, we like perfection to speak for itself, but, if one can’t resist a bite or two, we find that the best foils are oysters (the briny taste dovetails elegantly with the limey undertones) and scallops (the luscious sweetness of the seafood acts as a lovely foundation for the liquid’s zippy quality). MOTH’s Cosmopolitan looks (and tastes) amazing sipped cold from your favourite coupe glass, with an orange peel as garnish.

Want more from MOTH? We examine how the label has shaken the canned-cocktail industry…

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