These summer cocktails are the perfect refreshing drinks for all your outdoor entertaining! Fruity, fizzy, and light, I’m sharing 30 easy summertime cocktail recipes that you don’t have to be an expert mixologist to make.
Summertime is the perfect time of year to enjoy a refreshing cocktail!
Our Favorite Summer Cocktail Recipes
From fruity sangrias to light and effervescent mimosas, there are plenty of delicious summer cocktails that are sure to make your day just a bit brighter.
Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or unwinding on the patio after a long day at work, these drinks will keep you cool and refreshed, even on the hottest days.
Tips
- Don’t be afraid to try new garnishes, such as fresh berries, citrus peels, or edible flowers, to add an extra touch of color and flavor.
- Keep your summer cocktail recipes simple and easy to follow to take the stress out of entertaining.
- Add a fizzy element to your cocktails with sparkling wine, club soda, or tonic water. This makes them extra refreshing!
Frequently Asked Questions
The best summer drink depends on your personal preferences, but some popular choices are light and refreshing cocktails like margaritas, mojitos, and daiquiris. Fizzy drinks like mimosas are also popular during summer months, as are drinks with fresh fruits like sangria.
Mojitos are generally considered to be a medium-strength cocktail. The main ingredients of a classic mojito are white rum, mint, and lime juice, with sugar or simple syrup added for sweetness. If you want to make it stronger or weaker, then you can adjust the amount of rum in the recipe.
Triple sec is a popular ingredient in margaritas, but it can be replaced or omitted if desired. In place of triple sec, you can use Cointreau or Grand Marnier; you can also replace it with orange juice. If you don’t want to add any additional flavor from orange, then you can omit the triple sec and use a higher proportion of lime juice instead.
The key to making a good cocktail is finding the right balance of flavors. Whether you’re using sweet or sour ingredients, fresh fruit juices or mixes, making sure one flavor doesn’t overpower the others will help you create the perfect drink.
30 Easy Summer Cocktail Recipes
Be sure to pin this collection to save it for later so you have all these summer cocktail recipes at the ready!
Classic Margarita
While margaritas might be the official drink of Cinco de Mayo, they’re also perfect for enjoying all summer long.
Drinks
Homemade Margarita
This is the best Homemade Margarita recipe that will make you want to ditch the margarita mix forever! A margarita from scratch is so much easier than you might think – just three ingredients and a few quick tips and you’re on your way to something truly delicious. Read More
5 mins
Cadillac Margarita
This smooth, premium Cadillac Margarita has a surprising burst of sweet orange flavor from the addition of Grand Marnier. It’s a great twist for anyone who loves the classic recipe!
Drinks
Cadillac Margarita
Love a classic margarita? Then you’re going to love this smooth, premium margarita with a surprising burst of sweet orange flavor from the addition of Grand Marnier. Read More
5 mins
Mango Margarita
This one is light on the calories, too!
Drinks
Mango Margarita
This is a simple and refreshing Mango Margarita recipe. This cocktail is full of fresh flavors and it’s so quick and easy to make! Read More
5 mins
Skinny Margarita
Speaking of light on the calories, this is a recipe we make frequently. So fresh and so good!
Recipes
Skinny Margarita Recipe
This easy skinny margarita recipe is fresh and flavorful without all the calories! It’s a skinny margarita made with agave… Read More
5 mins
Champagne Margarita
This champagne margarita is a bubbly, elegant margarita recipe that’s perfect for any celebration!
Drinks
Champagne Margarita
If you love a glass of celebratory champagne and you love a homemade margarita, you’re going to be head over heels for this incredible pink champagne margarita. Read More
5 mins
Watermelon Margarita
Tastes like summer!
Drinks
Watermelon Margarita
A light and flavorful watermelon margarita recipe made with fresh watermelon in just five minutes. Get the skinny on this amazing watermelon margarita that comes in at less than 112 calories! Read More
5 mins
Wine Margarita
A wine margarita is a delicious spin on a classic margarita that uses rosé, tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur. Serve over ice and garnish with a lime wedge.
Drinks
Wine Margarita
Do you love wine, and also love margaritas? Well, friend… let me introduce you to the wine margarita! Learn how to create this fun combination cocktail for a fresh flavor profile you’re going to love. Read More
5 mins
Spicy Margarita
Drinks
Spicy Margarita Recipe
A spicy margarita recipe that is the perfect sidekick to so many of your favorite Mexican-inspired dinners! This Jalapeño Margarita recipe has the perfect amount of spicy pepper flavor – just enough kick, but not-too-much! Read More
5 mins
Mint Margarita
Drinks
Mint Margarita
Why should a minty mojito have all the fun? This mint margarita recipe is full of the tangy, sour bite of limes and matched with the refreshing and icy blast of fresh mint. Read More
5 mins
Margarita Float
Drinks
Margarita Float
Cool off this summer with an incredible frozen cocktail concoction – a Margarita Float! A margarita float made with sorbet, and it is perfect for Cinco de Mayo and beyond. Read More
3 mins
Poptails
My poptails lime popsicle margaritas are a playful way to enjoy margaritas on hot summer days because they’re made with frozen lime popsicles in glasses of tequila, club soda, and salt. A refreshing and boozy treat!
Drinks
Poptails (Lime Popsicle Margaritas)
Add poptails to your list of must-try summer cocktails. These lime popsicle margaritas are a fresh, zesty and delicious way to stay cool by the pool! Read More
5 mins
Bottomless Mimosas
Mimosas are a favorite for brunches, but they’re also an excellent summer cocktail choice thanks to their fizziness and fruity flavor.
Drinks
Bottomless Mimosas
Doesn’t the term bottomless mimosas just conjure up dreamy visions of the best brunches with your friends? Well, today we are creating this fun right at home with a mimosa pitcher recipe that is perfect for parties. Read More
10 mins
Sorbet Mimosas
Drinks
Sorbet Mimosa
Beautiful to serve and so delicious to drink, these sorbet mimosas are perfect for your next celebration! Use sherbet or sorbet to create a creamy, festive version of a mimosa that your guests are going to adore. Read More
2 mins
Classic Prosecco Mimosas
Drinks
Prosecco Mimosas
This such a timeless cocktail, worthy of celebrating with no reason at all! Learn how to make a Prosecco mimosa for the ultimate upgrade. In equally exciting news, we’re sharing the best Prosecco for mimosas, too! Read More
5 mins
Grapefruit Mimosas
Drinks
Grapefruit Mimosa
A mimosa is such a classic celebratory cocktail! Learn how to make a grapefruit mimosa for a fun, flavorful twist on this longtime favorite. Champagne and grapefruit juice are best friends! Read More
5 mins
Strawberry Mimosas
Drinks
Strawberry Mimosa
Learn how to put a fresh spin on a classic cocktail! This strawberry mimosa recipe is the ultimate fruity and celebratory summer upgrade. Read More
2 mins
Classic Mojito
Mojitos originated in tropical Cuba, so it’s no surprise that they make a great summer cocktail!
Drinks
Classic Mojito Recipe
A classic Mojito Recipe (you can call it a Mojito Receta for a little Spanish twist!) is the ultimate refreshing summer cocktail. It’s an EASY Mojito that features a mouthwatering blast of fresh squeezed limes and mint, balanced with rum, soda and sugar. Read More
3 mins
Light Mojito
Drinks
Skinny Mojito
A refreshing Skinny Mojito with just 79 calories – the perfect summer sip full of lime and mint flavor! I… Read More
3 mins
Mojito Float
These are so delicious on a hot summer day!
Recipes
Mojito Float
A Mojito Float is the best of both worlds – the quintessential flavor of a mojito served with lime ice… Read More
3 mins
Mojitos with Varied Spirits
Blueberry Mojito
Drinks
Blueberry Mojito
A blueberry mojito is the freshest, most festive way to enjoy a summertime sip on your patio. No matter the occasion, this is an easy, gorgeous cocktail in a lively pink hue you’re going to love. Read More
5 mins
Fruity Mojitos
Pineapple Mojito
Pineapple and mint are an unexpectedly delicious pairing, and the duo really shines in this pineapple mojito recipe.
Drinks
Pineapple Mojito
The perfect summer cocktail! This Pineapple Mojito is a tropical blend of lime, mint, pineapple, and rum. You will love it! Read More
5 mins
Watermelon Mojito
Recipes
Watermelon Mojito
A refreshing watermelon mojito recipe is the perfect way to cool off this summer! Made with fresh watermelon juice and simple syrup, it’s muddled with fresh mint for an incredible and easy summer cocktail. Read More
5 mins
Paloma
A paloma is a classic cocktail that pairs tequila and grapefruit soda. It has a refreshing and slightly tart flavor and once you try it, it might just become your new favorite.
Drinks
Paloma Cocktail
A Paloma is a popular cocktail in Mexico, made with grapefruit flavored soda, tequila and lime. This paloma recipe is a delicious alternative to a skinny margarita that is full of flavor yet low calorie! Read More
3 mins
Sangria Recipes
Summer sangria is a refreshing and fruity wine-based drink that makes the perfect summer cocktail for entertaining guests. Add your favorite fresh fruit and enjoy!
Frozen Cocktails
Champagne slushies are ideal for summer celebrations and parties! Fizzy, fruity, and refreshingly cold, this is a cocktail that’s a guaranteed winner.
Vodka Lemonade Cocktail
The vodka thyme lemonade takes a classic summer drink and gives it an herbaceous, boozy twist — because lemon and thyme are perfect together!
Drinks
Vodka Lemonade
Looking for a light and refreshing cocktail to serve and enjoy? A vodka thyme lemonade is an easy and delicious addition to your hosting menu. Enjoy the tart, sweet tang of lemonade, perfectly balanced with a hint of aromatic thyme. Read More
5 mins
Spiked Sweet Peach Tea
Spiked peach sweet tea is a Southern-inspired cocktail made with iced tea, peach puree, and whiskey. You can also skip the whiskey for a mocktail version!
Drinks
Spiked Peach Sweet Tea
This Spiked Peach Sweet Tea is the most perfect Southern cocktail and it’s perfect for your Kentucky Derby party! Spike this classic sweet tea with whisky for an adults only drink, or serve it without for a non-alcoholic version. Read More
10 mins
Last but not least, we’re featuring this coconut mojito, with all the vacation vibes! Spend your summer feeling like you’re on a tropical getaway.
Summer Cocktail Collection: Make this Coconut Mojito
Ingredients
- ¼ cup cream of coconut
- 10 leaves mint leaves fresh
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice approximately ½ a fresh lime
- 1 tablespoon simple syrup or 1 teaspoon white granulated or raw sugar
- 1½ ounces coconut rum or white rum
- ½ cup club soda
Instructions
- Muddle – Combine limes, mint, and sugar or simple syrup in a cocktail shaker and muddle to release the juices and flavors.
- Strain – Strain over a cocktail glass.
- Pour – Add cream of coconut, rum, ice, and soda water. Stir.
- Garnish – To serve, garnish with lime wedges and mint sprigs.
Julie’s Tips
- Use Fresh Mint – It will make all the difference to the flavor of your mojitos.
- Use Fresh Limes – You can use bottled lime juice, but it won’t approach the flavor of fresh limes.
- If you don’t have a traditional muddler, that’s okay! Instead of a classic mojito muddler, try using the end of a wooden spoon.
Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.
