50 Summer Cocktails and Drinks

One of the most iconic summer cocktails, this Cuban classic is refreshing and perfectly balanced with lime, rum and fresh mint. The key is thoroughly muddling the mint leaves to release their aromatic oils, which gives this cocktail its signature herbaceous flavor. Perfect for when summer herbs are in abundance.

Tip: Try a fruity Raspberry Mojito or Strawberry Mojito, Or our Mojito Pitcher recipe for parties

Bubbly, citrusy, herbal, subtly bitter and lightly sweet – this Italian classic has been capturing hearts since the 1950s. It’s best to use brut Prosecco since the Aperol provides plenty of sweetness. Simply combine equal parts Aperol and Prosecco, top with soda water, and garnish with an orange slice.

Perfect for: Patio happy hours and Italian-inspired gatherings

Variations: Amaro Spritz, Campari Spritz

The margarita works anytime, but it’s absolutely perfect for summer! This classic recipe uses tequila, fresh lime juice, orange liqueur, and a salt rim. The fresh citrus makes all the difference – skip the mix and go fresh for the best flavor.

Try all our margarita recipes, like the smoky Mezcal Margarita, sophisticated Cadillac Margarita, and spicy Jalapeño Margarita

This icy strawberry daiquiri is the ultimate summer drink! Our homemade version beats store-bought mix every time – all you need are frozen strawberries, fresh limes, and rum. The frozen fruit creates that perfect slushy texture naturally.

Also try our Frozen Daiquiri, Virgin Strawberry Daiquiri, Banana Daiquiri or Frozen Mango Daiquiri

This Texas favorite has exploded in popularity as the perfect summer highball. It’s like a bubbly, lighter version of the classic margarita – all the tangy lime flavor but less sweetness and alcohol. Just tequila, lime juice, and Topo Chico sparkling water.

Perfect for: Hot afternoons when you want something refreshing but not too sweet

What could be better for summer than this tropical classic? This recipe creates the perfect blend of pineapple, coconut, and rum with just 5 ingredients plus ice. It’s vacation in a glass and takes only minutes to blend up.

Also try a Virgin Piña Colada, Frozen Piña Colada, or Painkiller

Fizzy, tangy, and festive – the Moscow Mule screams summer cocktail. With only 3 ingredients and 3 minutes required, it’s perfect for entertaining or a lazy evening on the patio. The ginger beer provides the perfect spicy kick.

Also try a Watermelon Mule, Mexican Mule, Mezcal Mule, Irish Mule, Gin Gin Mule or Kentucky Mule

Summer cocktails are made for watermelon! This refreshing martini features sweet melon with vodka and tangy lime. It’s seriously refreshing and captures the essence of summer in every sip.

Also try a Watermelon Vodka Cocktail, Watermelon Cocktail with Gin, Watermelon Margarita, Watermelon Mule

This modern cocktail spin on the whiskey smash perfectly captures that summer feeling with fresh basil and botanical gin. Muddling the basil releases its peppery oils, creating a light and herbaceous drink that’s perfect for herb garden season.

Garden to glass: Use any fresh herbs you’re growing

The frozen margarita is seriously tangy, a little bit sweet, and tastes just like the classic but in slushy form. Perfect for poolside sipping or when you want to feel like you’re at a beachside resort.

Festive touch: Rim the glass with pink sea salt

This cousin of the margarita features tequila with grapefruit instead of lime. It’s got the perfect summer vibe and is a refreshing change from the standard margarita. The grapefruit adds a lovely bitter-sweet complexity.

The ultimate summer crowd-pleaser! Add fresh strawberries to classic red wine sangria and you get bold, fruity flavors with the perfect balance of dry and sweet. Make it ahead and let it chill overnight for the best flavor.

Also try White Sangria, Rose Sangria, Watermelon Sangria, Peach Sangria, or Red Sangria

This “mixed up” version of the classic Negroni uses sparkling wine instead of gin. The lightly sweet Prosecco balances the bitter Campari better than the traditional version, making it perfect for summer sipping.

Meaning: “Sbagliato” means “mistaken” in Italian

This rum cocktail is is breathtakingly complex, featuring aged rum, orange liqueur, and almond syrup for nutty vanilla notes against sharp citrus. Float a little dark rum on top for the authentic experience.

Tall, bubbly, and one of the easiest cocktails to make. This classic was born in the 1880s and is perfectly tangy and refreshing. Just gin, lime juice, and soda water – simplicity at its finest.

Also try a Lime Rickey, Cherry Lime Rickey or Raspberry Lime Rickey

Sweet, tart, and perfect for patio sipping. Make a big pitcher of fresh lemonade, then spike individual glasses with vodka. It’s delightfully tangy and fruity – hard to stop sipping!

Try spiking our Basil Lemonade, Blueberry Lemonade, Mint Lemonade, Cucumber Lemonade or Strawberry Lemonade

This spin on the Aperol spritz showcases the intense lemon flavor of limoncello. It’s bubbly and effervescent with a searing citrus bite that’s incredibly refreshing on hot days.

Also try a Limoncello Mojito or Limoncello Martini

Perhaps the perfect frozen summer cocktail! This slushie version of traditional Spanish sangria is red wine-forward and just sweet enough, with a hint of citrus. It’s like summer in a glass.

Perfect for when you have fresh basil growing! This refreshing gin cocktail features lime juice and muddled basil, which gives it a fresh peppery essence that screams summer garden party.

Light, carefree, and effervescent – this is the perfect no-fuss summer drink. Just rosé wine and sparkling water create refreshing bubbles perfect for poolside sipping or grilled dinner parties.

Also try a Red Wine Spritzer or White Wine Spritzer

Light, refreshing, and vying for best summer drink! Also known as the Hugo, this elderflower spritz is floral and bubbly, full of lightly sweet flavor and effervescence. It’s like drinking a summer garden.

This refreshing summer cocktail pairs sweet berries with fresh mint and vodka for the perfect patio drink. Served over crushed ice, it’s a celebration of summer berries! The muddled blueberries release their natural sweetness while mint adds that cooling finish.

This drink screams summer cocktail with its beautiful layered colors mimicking a summer sunset. All you need is 3 ingredients: tequila, orange juice, and grenadine. The flavor is refreshingly sweet with just a hint of tequila.

This icy spin on the classic mojito amps up the mint volume! It tastes like summer in a glass and immediately jumped to the top of my must-make frozen cocktails. Perfect when you want mojito flavors but extra refreshing.

The ideal summer dessert drink – it’s a mashup of chocolate milkshake and piña colada! Lusciously smooth with notes of chocolate, coffee and vanilla. Perfect for sipping poolside or when you’re dreaming of tropical vacations.

Light, bubbly, tart and citrusy – the perfect summer cocktail in my opinion. Lillet Blanc is a refreshing French aperitif wine that’s an absolute must for your bar cart! Mix with bubbles, lemon and gin for a breezy cocktail with summer written all over it.

Also try a Lillet G&T

This variation on the Gin & Tonic is all about citrusy bubbles! Vodka melds seamlessly into the tonic water, making it a clean, refreshing cocktail perfect for simple summer sipping.

Variations: Tequila and Tonic, Whiskey Tonic, or Strawberry Basil G&T

The classic Whiskey Highball is bubbly and perfect for summer! This two-ingredient cocktail originated around 1900 and remains popular today. It’s refreshing and incredibly easy – just whiskey and soda water.

Love a Piña Colada? Then you’ll love the Chi Chi! This tropical drink swaps rum for vodka and is just as delicious. Blend it up for tangy, sweet, coconut-y tropical perfection.

This bubbly and fruity spritzer is quintessential summer drinking! Just sweet enough with subtle berry flavor – tangy, refreshing and sparkling all at once. Cranberry juice creates a brilliant red color for parties.

Variation: Strawberry Vodka Cocktail

What’s a summer drinks list without frosé? This mashup between frozen cocktail and quintessential pink wine is just sweet enough and full-flavored from rosé and strawberries. It’s Instagram-famous for good reason. (One of my personal favorites!)

This classic cocktail is perfect for summer! The original inspiration for the Negroni, it’s bitter, complex and bubbly all at once. Campari and sweet vermouth topped with soda water create sophisticated refreshment.

Want a citrusy cocktail with a salted rim that’s not a margarita? Enter the Salty Dog! This gin cocktail has a unique name and beautiful pale pink color from grapefruit juice. Light summer vibes with botanical complexity.

One of the easiest cocktails there is! The 1920s-style daiquiri is served in a coupe glass, not frozen. Rum cocktails are perfect for summer, and this one is simple to make and ultra refreshing with just rum, lime, and simple syrup.

Also try a Hemingway Daiquiri

The sweet-tart flavor of ripe strawberries only improves this classic cocktail! Muddle fresh berries right into the drink for a deliciously vibrant cocktail that’s perfect for summer berry season.

Fruity spins on the margarita are perfect for summer! This sunny variation is sweet, tart and tropical. The pineapple adds natural sweetness and tropical flair – it’s sweet, zingy, salty, and goes down easy.

Also try a Peach Margarita, Watermelon Margarita, Raspberry Margarita, Prickly Pear Margarita, or Coconut Margarita

Here’s the perfect summer vodka cocktail! Tangy and refreshing, it features muddled blackberries, mint, and lime. Sweet-tart with a bit of vodka kick – ideal for showcasing summer’s best berries.

This bubbly gin cocktail is essentially a Tom Collins plus a Mojito! Featuring bright citrus, herbaceous mint, and fizzy soda water, it’s tart, refreshing, and perfectly effervescent for summer sipping.

Looking for a sunny tropical drink? This mango daiquiri is one of the most refreshing cocktails there is, with an intoxicating sweet-tart flavor. Frozen mango creates perfect texture while adding natural sweetness.

This refreshing spin on the Tom Collins stars cucumber and fresh basil – that peppery herb of summer! It’s got tangy-sweet flavor, cucumber-basil essence, and loads of bubbles. I personally love garden-to-glass cocktails.

When the heat is unbearable, this slushy lemonade is pure refreshment! Blend fresh lemon juice with ice for an instantly cooling treat that’s sweet, tart, and absolutely addictive. Kids and adults love it equally.

This gorgeous purple-hued mocktail combines tart lemon with sweet blueberries for a refreshing non-alcoholic treat. Muddled blueberries create natural sweetness and beautiful color – it’s like drinking summer in a glass.

All the tangy, lime-forward flavor of a classic margarita without the tequila! This alcohol-free version is perfect for designated drivers, kids, or anyone wanting margarita flavors minus the buzz. You’ve got to try the secret ingredient!

Transport yourself with this creamy, coconut-pineapple dream! All the vacation vibes of the classic cocktail without alcohol. Perfect for poolside sipping or when you want tropical flavors any time.

Fresh watermelon juice meets classic lemonade for the ultimate summer refresher! Natural watermelon sweetness balances tart lemons perfectly. It’s hydrating, delicious, and screams summer picnic.

Yes, frozen hot chocolate is a thing, and it’s perfect for summer! This cold, chocolatey treat satisfies dessert cravings while keeping you cool. It’s like a chocolate milkshake but better.

Fresh basil transforms ordinary lemonade into something extraordinary! The herbal notes add complexity and sophistication to classic sweet-tart lemonade. Perfect when your herb garden is overflowing.

Pure, simple, and incredibly refreshing – this is just blended watermelon with a splash of lime. It’s lightly sweetened, incredibly hydrating, and the perfect way to use up ripe watermelon.

The South’s signature summer drink! Properly brewed black tea sweetened while hot, then chilled to perfection. It’s refreshing, nostalgic, and essential for any summer gathering. Serve over ice with lemon wedges.

Pure strawberry bliss in frozen form! Blend fresh or frozen strawberries with ice for an instantly refreshing treat. Naturally sweet with intense berry flavor – it’s like eating summer itself.