🍹 The ultimate spring cocktail list

It's Wednesday, Boston.

🤪 It’s also National Goof Off Day, so we’re giving you permission to do something a little wild, like signing off from work at 4:30 p.m.

👀 What’s on tap today:

• What's with Candida auris?

• Scooper Bowl deets

• Cheap flight alert!

Up first...

FOOD & DRINK

The ultimate spring cocktail list

Springtime in Boston means longer days, warmer nights, and new cocktail menus. So in light of National Cocktail Day this Friday, here’s a round up of the latest springy additions to Boston’s beverage scene. And yes, there’s a mocktail or two.

🍓 “The Farmers Market” from Next Door in Eastie. This drink definitely lives up to its name, featuring a blend of strawberry- and kiwi-infused gin, lemon juice, and basil syrup. Plus, it’s garnished with edible flowers, dehydrated oranges, and fresh basil (and served in an adorable mug). You can see their full menu with other spring add ons here.

🌸 “The Floral Buzz” from LoLa42 in the Seaport. Just close your eyes and imagine yourself sitting on LoLa’s patio overlooking the Harbor while you sip on a blend of Jamaican aged rum, cognac, elderflower liqueur, lemon, lime, honey, and chamomile. This drink launches Friday, just in time for National Cocktail Day.

🌿 “The Chapel Perilous” from Hecate in Back Bay. If you want to like Negronis, Hecate considers this bev a gentle gateway into the world of bitters: A sparkling Negroni milk punch with Stravecchio brandy, botanic bitters, Carpano Bianco, and Punt e Mes (both Italian vermouths). And if Negronis just aren’t your thing, they have plenty of other options.

🍊 “When In Rome'' from Capo in Southie. Nothing says 7 p.m. sunsets like this refreshing combo of blood orange infused gin, Aperol, vanilla syrup, grapefruit, and lemon. And there’s plenty of other seasonal drinks to pick from.

🥭 “Big Papi’s Salsa” from Daiquiris & Daisies at High Street Place. Described as “bright, refreshing, fruity, and herbaceous,” this cocktail combines mezcal, mango, cilantro, lime, and soda. Plus, the food hall makes for a bustling backdrop for grabbing a bite and catching the C's or B's. Their “Golden Rule” with Dulche de Leche also sounds divine.

🍸 Spirit-free cocktails from Yvonne’s, located downtown. The COJE Management Restaurant Group has made a point of developing interesting spirit-free options across all menus. So if you want a drink sans booze, Yvonne’s Lilikoi combines passionfruit, ginger, lemon and soda, and their Cecily offers a punchy combo of salted cucumber, wasabi, lime, yuzu, and soda.

CITY

Quick & dirty headlines

🍄 What’s the deal with Candida auris? If you just finished watching “The Last of Us,” the news of a drug-resistant and potentially deadly fungus on the rise may have spooked you. But how worried should you be? If you’re healthy, the CDC says not to fear. However, the fungus can cause severe illness in people with weakened immune systems. And if you need extra soothing, the CDC offers a comprehensive rundown of what to know about the fungus here.

🎓 Tom Hanks named Harvard’s commencement speaker. The six-time Oscar winner will deliver the principal address at the university’s 372nd graduation ceremony on May 25. And in true Hollywood fashion, Harvard announced the news with a movie trailer-style video highlighting props from all of his well-known films. Both Woody and Wilson the volleyball make an appearance. Let’s just hope his postgraduate advice is a little more interesting than “life is like a box of chocolates.”

🍦 Mark your calendar for The Scooper Bowl, a.k.a. Christmas for ice cream lovers. The beloved ice cream extravaganza supporting The Jimmy Fund is slated for June 2 and 3 at Patriot Place in Foxborough. For $20, you can get unlimited samples of ice cream and other frozen goodies from brands like Ben & Jerry’s, Gifford’s, and more. Plus, there will be a “Scoop at Night” event for those 21+. Tickets go on sale April 24.

✈️ Cheap flight alert! You can snag flights out of Logan for as low as $49 as part of JetBlue’s big spring sale. The only catch is you have to make your reservation by Thursday at 11:59 p.m. and it’s only good for travel between April 4 and June 21. You can get a $49 flight to Martha’s Vineyard, an $89 flight to Charleston, and the grand-daddy of them all: a $134 flight to Santiago in the DR. Not an ad, just genuinely concerned you’re not using enough PTO.

ONE LAST THING

Rose McNugget is home safe

Rose McNugget, the missing pooch that captivated Boston on social media, has been reunited with her owner.

Rose McNugget was kidnapped by two men while on a walk when the dog walker briefly left Rose to pick up another dog. Rose’s owner, Maura Howley, sent out a plea on social media and put up fliers. Luckily, Rose McNugget was returned safe and sound about seven-and-a-half hours later after she was found wandering around Mattapan.

The reunion video might make you shed a tear.

🐶 Thanks for reading! But the question is how the hell did Howley come up with the name Rose McNugget?

💃 Keep up with us @BostonBSide on IG, TikTok, and Twitter. Send comments and suggestions to [email protected].

Editor's note: The description of the "Big Papi's Salsa" cocktail has been changed based on an updated description from the company. We're told it is a "fruity" drink rather than a "flirty" drink.