Inspired by the floral artistry of Saskia Havekes from Sydney's famed Grandiflora florist, these cocktails get the party started.

Flowering blooms of pale pinks and yellows peek out among bursts of purple, orange and greenery – it’s a dance of artistry and beautiful to watch as Sydney’s Saskia Havekes, the founder of Grandiflora, the small flower shop on MacLeay St, Potts Point, weave her floral magic. The florist, author and now fragrance creator has built an international reputation since first opening in 1995, and is renowned for sculpting beautiful arrangements from small posies to full-scale installations. Today the table is adorned with Phalaenopsis Orchids, Cymbidium Orchids, Roses, Tulips, Anenomies, Magnolia, Delphinium, Ranunculus, Bearded Iris, Elm, Allium and Scabiosa to all match and reflect the colour and vibrancy of these spring cocktails.

“When entertaining I like to make a few captivating statements,” says Havekes, whose secret tip is to gift the flowers to guests after an event so they have something beautiful to remember it by. “Building atmosphere can be as simple as a few striking vessels mixed with lights or candles. But I always keep them low to allow conversation and I always try to put something unusual within the arrangement as a conversation starter.”

So how can you recreate this look at home? “Eclectic and interesting vases are a great base to creating this look. The flowers are staggered however clustered by colour ways with accents of deeper tones and pops of contrasting colour.” Seasonality plays a big role in affordability and for a big occasion Havekes suggests speaking with your florist and then “buying plenty of it!”. In late spring she suggests looking out for peonies, especially the large Coral Charm Peionies, Hydrangea and Magnolia Grandiflora, which is her favourite flower, of course.