This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Whether you are sitting in a rocking chair out on the porch, or lounging in the sun by the pool these summer cocktails will leave you refreshed and relaxed. Most of them can be modified without alcohol for a refreshing mocktail the whole family can enjoy!
Start the season off right with these refreshing boozy beverages. From frozen and blended drinks to icy margaritas and fruity tropical temptations there is something for every party and holiday this summer!
Whip up a big batch of Peach Sangria for your next backyard cookout or a pitcher of refreshing margaritas for your next girls night in. Icy drinks are the best way to beat the heat so whip up a blender full of frozen peach bellinis with or without the booze for a fruity summer cocktail or “mocktail” kids will love too!
Pin this recipe for later!Table of Contents
How to Make a Cocktail
- Start with the classics, like a Tom Collins or Margarita. Or you could go all Sex and the City with a Classic Cosmopolitan.
- Buy good quality booze. Two buck chuck won’t cut it if you want a great tasting cocktail. Celebrate the flavor of the alcohol – it is the most important ingredient after all – and enjoy it rather than just trying to booze up some juice.
- Keep lots of ice on hand. Nobody likes a warm drink.
- Use fresh juices or sodas instead of mixers, or at least make your own, like this homemade sweet and sour mix.
- The presentation is just as important as the ingredients. Make it pretty – add a sprig of fresh mint of a piece of fruit to garnish the glass. Keep some unique cocktail glasses on hand along with basic wine glasses and champagne flutes.
The Best Summer Cocktails
Aperol Spritz
A classic Aperol spritz is the perfect cocktail for summer. Refreshing, not too sweet, brightly colored, and perfect for backyard sipping.
Malibu Bay Breeze Drink
Malibu Bay Breeze is a refreshing cocktail made with coconut rum, cranberry and pineapple juices. It's the perfect cocktail for any season.
Pineapple Strawberry Mimosas
This Pineapple Strawberry Mimosa is crisp and refreshing and perfect for brunch! It's a stand-by classic with a sweet, fun twist.
Peach Sangria
Peach Sangria is the perfect drink to keep your whole family refreshed this summer, with non-alcoholic and adult versions and tons of bold peach flavor.
White Sangria
This refreshing White Sangria is the perfect patio sipper for Spring! Citrus, peach, and strawberry slices are soaked in a blend of white wine and apple brandy, infusing it with their fruity flavors before being topped off with Prosecco, sparkling or hard seltzer water.
Classic Margarita
Classic Margaritas are the perfect cocktail for any occasion! Serve them on the rocks or frozen with a salted rim, and lime for the happiest hour around!
Blue Lagoon Cocktail
This refreshing cocktail recipe is made in less than 5 minutes with a few simple ingredients!
Rum Punch
Transport yourself on a tropical vacation with refreshing Rum Punch! With orange, pineapple, and a splash of grenadine – it’s the perfect summer cocktail!
Peach Bellini
This easy 4-ingredient Frozen Peach Bellini recipe is a sweet brunch cocktail made with frozen peaches, peach vodka, and a kiss of grenadine.
Mezcal Margarita
A Mezcal Margarita is made with Mezcal, Cointreau, fresh lime juice, and sugar. This next level cocktail is perfect for margarita enthusiasts who are looking to up their game.
Hurricane Party Punch Recipe
Add a splash of the tropics to your next get together with this Hurricane Party Punch Recipe! It’s the perfect drink to cool you down!
Fish Bowl Cocktail
This Fish Bowl Cocktail is a fun party drink, perfect for sharing with friends! It’s a grown up spin on a classic punch for all of the Finding Dory fans!
Strawberry Margarita
These cold and refreshing Strawberry Margaritas are made with real strawberries and served frozen or on the rocks. Ready in minutes!
Mai Tai
Mai Tai is a well balanced tropical cocktail that features lime juice, simple syrup, orgeat syrup, curacao and rum. It’s a refreshing combination of tropical flavors that is not overly sweet or fruity.
Red, White & Blue White Wine Spritzer
An easy & gorgeous wine spritzer recipe featuring fresh strawberries and blueberries paired with white wine for a patriotic themed cocktail you can sip all summer long.
Malibu Sunset
Malibu Sunset is a beautiful and delicious Malibu drink recipe. Perfect to sip on a warm summer day or evening.
Bomb Pop Jello Shots
Bomb Pops are a classic summer treat. Bomb Pop Jello Shots are a new adult twist on a summer favorite.
Spicy Strawberry Watermelon Margarita
A fruity, summery twist on a classic drink, this Spicy Strawberry Watermelon Margarita kicks up the heat and flavor a notch with strawberries and jalapeno-infused tequila!
Blue Hawaiian Cocktail
When it comes to easy drink recipes you can’t get any more simple than this Blue Hawaiian Cocktail. 5 minutes, 4 ingredients and you are all set to go.
Easy Paloma Cocktail
Easy Paloma Cocktail is one of the easiest to make, most refreshing cocktail recipes! The Paloma is made with tequila and grapefruit juice for a fruity and fun drink!
Bikini Martini
Bikini Martini is the perfect drink to sip poolside. Vodka, coconut rum, lemonade, fresh pineapple juice, and grenadine make a tropical sweet treat.
The best Pina Colada Recipe
My Pina Colada is not overly sweet, refreshing and tastes distictly like coconut and pineapple. We love it and I could drink it all summer long!
Pineapple Mint Prosecco Punch
Pineapple Mint Prosecco Punch is a light and refreshing cocktail perfect for brunch or backyard parties! Your guests will want the recipe!
Limoncello Spritz
Are you looking for lighter, refreshing cocktails this summer? Of course you are! Look no further than this Limoncello Spritz!
Sparkling Cucumber Gimlet
Perfectly crisp refreshing cocktail for weekend brunches, summer BBQs or Girls’ night in.
Manly Summer Cocktails
Is there really such a thing as a manly summer cocktail? If you ask the internet there is! Perfectly refreshing, no frills with high flavor drinks that will satisfy your cravings. The beauty of these drinks is that anyone can enjoy them!
Moscow Mule
This classic Moscow Mule is flavored with ginger beer and lime. It’s served icy cold and it comes together in minutes!
Tom Collins Recipe | Culinary Hill
Turn over a thirst-quenching new leaf and try a Tom Collins, a classic gin cocktail that’s as bubbly and refreshing as a glass of sparkling lemonade.
Whiskey Sour Recipe – Wine and Glue
This Whiskey Sour Recipe is the ultimate classic whiskey cocktail recipe! It’s delicious, easy to put together, and needs to be a part of your life!
Easy Beer Margaritas
This easy recipe for beer margaritas has only a few ingredients and is the perfect drink for a party or to pair with Mexican food.
Rusty Nail Cocktail
We’re getting our Scottish on with this delicious Rusty Nail Cocktail, made with Drambuie, Scotch Whiskey, and a lemon twist.
Citrus Beer Sangria Recipe | Self Proclaimed Foodie
Citrus Beer Sangria that is sweet, bubbly, and refreshing! Beer or hard cider is mixed with citrus and vodka to create an easy and tasty pitcher cocktail.
Make it a Mocktail
If you want to make summer cocktails the whole family can enjoy, you can just leave the alcohol out of the drinks and make them more of a punch. Garnish the glasses with the same fresh fruit and a pretty straw and everyone gets to have a little fun. Just make sure to distinguish between the boozy and non-boozy drinks.
