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In the winter, I want to cozy up to a mug of mulled wine or buttered rum. But once the weather turns hot and the days run long, I crave refreshing, fruity libations almost instantly. Here are 45 summer cocktails that fit the bill.
I love them because they're easy enough for newbies to shake up at home, plus many spotlight seasonal produce. My favorites range from an authentic piña colada to a frozen Aperol spritz.
The dirty Shirley might have had its moment in the sun in 2022, but she's timelessly refreshing—especially frozen. "It’s cute like its namesake…but be warned: It’s potent," says PureWow senior food editor Katherine Gillen.
Alfresco brunch on the agenda? Quench everyone's thirst with a DIY mimosa bar. "A one-to-one ratio of juice to bubbly is the typical recommendation, but few will complain about a heavy pour of the latter," asserts Gillen. Your guests can choose from classic OJ, paloma, tropical and strawberry-basil varieties.
No one should be forced to play bartender at their own soirée. Instead, set these premade coolers, made with raspberry vodka and fresh lime juice, out in a bucket of ice and join the party.
Who knew grapefruit juice and wheat beer were soulmates? Up the summer-inspired ante by using a fruit-forward brew, like citrusy Blue Moon.
Summer’s official drink, all grown up. Spike it with your choice of vodka or gin, then go the extra mile by serving it in hollowed-out lemons.
6. Sangrita
Bottle of red, meet tequila. This mashup between a margarita and sangria is mind-blowingly citrusy and refreshing. Don’t even get me started on the pretty lime sugar rim.
7. White Sangria with Peaches and Berries
Aka the easiest way to quench a crowd’s thirst. Start with frozen peaches and raspberries to cut back on chilling time.
Fact: Cocktails just taste better on a stick. Plus, the combination of white grape juice and white wine is light enough in color that all the fresh fruit is visible, making for a drool-worthy presentation.
12. Piña Colada
If you’re wondering how to make this iconic rum-based cocktail the *right* way, take it from the Caribe Hilton in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The drink was invented there, after all.
This gem requires a bit of hindsight (the pineapple-infused tequila and coconut rum will need a week’s worth of patience), but it’s so, so worth the wait.
14. Watermelon Agua Fresca Mimosas
Champagne is the optimal choice here, but feel free to use any dry sparkling wine, like brut cava. (BTW, this is the easiest way to cut a watermelon.)
Looks like Mary hopped a flight to a tropical island to live her best life. It's a simplified, vodka-based bloody with the addition of fresh lemon juice, mango nectar and a dash of sriracha.
Named for the Hawaiian god of fertility, this cocktail includes silver, coconut and dark rums, hazelnut liqueur and all the tropical fruit.
Isn't she lovely? This mix of lime, mint and rum is dangerously close to a mojito, save for the Angostura aromatic bitters.
18. Peach Sun Tea and Bourbon Cocktail
This Southern-style sipper is sweetened with maple syrup before it’s spiked with bourbon and peach brandy. Just leave yourself enough time to let the tea steep before serving.
The classic base of orange juice and Champagne is easy. The tough part is choosing which rendition to try first: blackberry thyme, raspberry peach or strawberry lavender.
20. Watermelon Limoncello Prosecco Slushies
Bust out the blender to turn frozen, cubed watermelon into the most refreshing elixir known to man. Finish each glass with fresh mint and a spritz of lemon.
21. Strawberry Melon Elderflower Pimm’s Cup
Pimm’s is a gin-based spirit infused with spices, orange and herbal botanicals. So, pairing it with fresh summer produce and St-Germain is just plain genius.
A timeless rum cocktail that’s tropical, sweet and pretty darn irresistible. Might I suggest using it to wash down a shrimp po’ boy?
23. Strawberry Peach Sweet Tea Julep Pitcher
This crowd-pleaser has Derby Day written all over it. It’s got classic ingredients, like mint and bourbon, along with fresh fruit juices and green tea.
24. Easy Coconut Lime Margaritas
In case classic margs tend to be too acidic for your taste, the addition of coconut milk and ginger ale should sweeten the earthy tequila and tart lime juice.
Speaking of iconic tequila drinks, the paloma is traditionally made with grapefruit juice. This summer cocktail recipe trades one citrus flavor for another by substituting blood orange soda (because bubbles never hurt).
26. Sweet Bourbon Peach Lemonade
Three ingredients + five minutes = an impressive cocktail that’s prime for your next barbecue. Feel free to prepare a big batch ahead so it's ready to serve once your guests arrive.
27. Rosé Raspberry Lavender Spritzer
Have you ever had Hangar’s Rosé Vodka? The blush-colored spirit with notes of apple, cranberry and sweet pea blossom tastes divine with the raspberry-lavender syrup, but feel free to substitute plain vodka or omit it completely.
The original gimlet has stood the test of time for one main reason: It only requires two ingredients. In addition to gin and lime juice, this gimlet also gets fresh cucumber and mint.
Not only does it have wine and tequila, but this pitcher summer cocktail recipe is also destined for your 4th of July party. Just look at those star-shaped nectarines.
Pro tip: Always use frozen fruit for blended cocktails, including this moscato number. That way, you won’t have to dilute the drinks by adding plain ice.
Odds are you’ve sipped your fair share of strawberry daiquiris, but raspberries offer a unique, sweet-tart flavor to silver rum that’s well worth a try.
Wanna feel like a real-deal bartender? Infuse your own strawberry vodka by combining the spirit and hulled berries in a jar and letting them sit for up to three days.
33. Spicy Margarita
The ultimate match for a sweltering day. Serrano chile pepper and Tajín give this balanced sipper a noteworthy kick, but it won’t make your nose run with every sip either.
34. Blackberry Prosecco Mojitos
Starring homemade blackberry simple syrup, which can be made far ahead of cocktail hour. Bubbly prosecco makes this bev twice as refreshing, but don't worry—it still contains plenty of rum.
35. Garden Cherry Bourbon Smash
Both fresh and frozen cherries can be used here—just be sure to spring for fresh basil and thyme. (Oh, and that herby ginger-sugar rim? *Chef's kiss.*)
36. Lemon Raspberry Sorbet Prosecco Float
Ice cream with a side of bubbly booze—does it get more summery than that? Go with lemon, strawberry or vanilla ice cream, or swap fruity sorbet in instead.
37. Fresh Bellini
Balsamic vinegar adds a splash of acidity to this otherwise sweet, bubbly summer cocktail. Finish each glass with fresh basil leaves and a modest drizzle of good olive oil, if you're feeling fancy.
39. Margarita Floats
Ahh, picture sipping this masterpiece poolside without a care in the world. These Insta-worthy floats are topped with rainbow sherbet for the most eye-catching twist.
40. Summer Fruit and Berry Sangria
Bring on all the in-season stone fruit (peaches! nectarines! plums!), raspberries and your go-to bottle of rosé. The summer cocktail also calls for vodka—plain or lemon—for good measure.
41. Frozen Blueberry Margaritas
There's no better time than blueberry season to make these, but a bag of the frozen kind will do just fine in place of fresh. Whip out the blender, will ya?
42. Hibiscus Cherry Vodka Spritz
Hibiscus is the key to this summer cocktail's signature tart flavor. Your guests will ooh and ahh over the gorgeous pink color it creates alongside the cherry syrup.
43. Watermelon Mint Champagne Punch
This party punch is pure, drinkable summer. You don't technically need to make the watermelon juice fresh...although it's easy to do with a blender if you're feeling ambitious.
44. Jalapeño Watermelon Margaritas
Find the ripest, juiciest watermelon at the farmers market, so the margaritas are sweet without needing too much extra sugar. (P.S.: If you're unsure how to shop for a good melon, here's the scoop.)
