Spring is Nature's Way of Saying, '' Let's Party''. --Robin Williams

It's Cherry Blossom time again in DC,and they'll be in peak bloom any time now. Make sure you get out and see them before the pink all turns to green. And as the cherry blossoms are a classic,here are three classic Tiki drinks for the occasion. Enjoy!

Mix #284 Cherry Blossom Cocktail

1oz cherry brandy* 1/2oz apricot brandy dash orange curacao** dash grenadine** dash lemon juice**

Shake with ice,strain into chilled cocktail glass. No decoration.

*I used Heering. **I used 5ml.

From the 1937 cocktail book,Liquid Gems,this was considered and strong drink back in the day because liquors back then could be 100 proof or more. Nowadays it's pretty tame. It tastes like tart cherry and the bright red color looks pretty in a Mai Tai glass. A nice low octane cocktail.

Mix #285 Sloe Gin Singapore Sling

1.5oz sloe gin 3/4oz dry gin 3/4oz cherry brandy* 3/4oz apricot brandy 1/2oz lime juice 1/4oz simple syrup seltzer to top

Swizzle in highball glass with cracked ice,top with seltzer.

*I used Heering.

Also from a 1937 cocktail book,Famous New Orleans Drinks and How to Mix'Em,this also had a tart cherry taste,but you could taste gin as well and it had decent kick with some fizz. Think of it as an enhanced version of the previous cocktail.

Mix #286 Cherry Blossom Punch

2oz Cuban style white rum 1oz lime juice 1oz fassionola red 1/2oz grenadine 2 dashes Angostura bitters

Blend with ice and pour into Hurricane glass.

What better way to round this out than with a Donn the Beachcomber classic. Sweet and fruity,but not too sweet,this was quite good. And if you want to give it some real kick,sub in some Wray & Nephew overproof. The petals won't be the only things falling.

So get on down to the Tidal Basin this weekend,and soak up the pink and white vibes. And if you can't make it,here's some pics to tide you over until next year. Aloha!