🍹 30 Summer Cocktails to Beat the Heat—Explore Now! 🌞

Patios are opening, swimming pools are chlorinating, and summer cocktails are flowing free. When you are planning a fun backyard barbecue or a small gathering of friends under the patio lanterns, these 30 cocktail recipes are sure to please and enhance the gorgeous weather.

In some of the recipes, you will notice the word ‘muddle’ or ‘muddler’ being used.

• Muddling is a term used for the crushing of herbs and fruit in alcoholic drinks that aids in infusing the liquid with flavor.
• A muddler is used by mixologists and resembles a tall pestle. Muddlers are made of wood or ceramic and can make the difference between a humdrum cocktail and a masterpiece!

There is also a reference to ‘bruising’ mint leaves. The process is simply the act of holding the mint leaves in one hand and gently slapping them with the other. It allows the mint to infuse into the liquid more easily. Some mixologists will use a muddler with mint leaves to get the maximum flavour out of the herb.

Sea Breeze

Just the name of this drink recalls sunny days at the beach with a
soft breeze blowing gently. The cocktail is perfect for an outdoor get
together on a patio.

Time – 5 minutes
Servings – 1

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vodka
• 3 ½ oz cranberry juice
• 1 ¾ oz grapefruit juice
• Ice cubes
• 1 lime slice

Instructions:

• Fill a tall glass halfway up with ice cubes.
• Add the vodka and juices.
• Stir well until the liquid is cold and top with the lime slice.

Tequila Sunrise

Picture yourself sitting on a tropical beach while being served a delicious cocktail like the Tequila Sunrise. I like to find different mini umbrellas to serve with the yummy drink.

Time – 5 minutes
Servings – 1

Ingredients:

• ½ oz grenadine
• Ice cubes
• 1 cocktail cherry
• 2 small oranges, juiced
• ½ lemon, juiced
• 3 teaspoons triple sec
• 1 ½ oz tequila

Instructions:

1. Add the grenadine to a tall glass and let it settle at the bottom.
2. In a cocktail shaker, add the ice cubes, triple sec, tequila, and juices.
3. Shake vigorously until the liquid inside is cold.
4. Add ice cubes to the tall glass with the grenadine and pour in the liquid from the cocktail shaker.
5. Garnish with the cocktail cherry.

Pink Gin Spritz

This cocktail is a fun and refreshing drink to serve at a backyard get-together or an intimate gathering of friends under the canopy. I like to garnish the drink with some rose petals decorating the bottom of the glass.

Time – 5 minutes
Servings – 1

Ingredients:

• Ice cubes
• 1 ¾ oz rose-flavoured gin
• 1 ½ oz lychee liqueur
• Sparkling water

Instructions:

1. Fill a tall glass with ice cubes.
2. Add the rose-flavoured gin and lychee liqueur.
3. Top with sparkling water.

Raspberry Mojito

This cocktail is not just delicious but looks as refreshing as it tastes. The colorful mixture of fruit and mint will decorate your party table and thrill your guests.

Time – 5 minutes
Servings – 2

Ingredients:

• 1 dozen raspberries
• 1 lime
• ¾ tablespoon white sugar
• 2 mint sprigs, leaves reserved
• Ice cubes
• 3 ½ oz white rum
• Sparkling water

Instructions:

1. Chop the lime into chunks.
2. Place half of the raspberries, lime chunks, and white sugar in each glass.
3. Crush with a muddler.
4. Gently place half of the mint leaves in the palm of your hand and clap with the other.
5. Add the mint leaves to the first glass and repeat the process with the other half of the mint leaves.
6. Add the ice cubes and white rum.
7. Stir the liquid and top with sparkling water.

Watermelon Margarita

Nothing says summer quite like the sweet taste of watermelon. This cocktail will delight your taste buds on a beautiful sunny day.

Time – 10 minutes
Servings – 4

Ingredients:

• 1 large watermelon, cubed
• 4 ½ oz tequila
• 2 ½ oz triple sec
• 2 limes, zested and juiced
• ¾ tablespoon honey
• 1 ¼ tablespoons sea salt flakes
• ¾ tablespoon caster sugar
• ¼ teaspoon chilli flakes
• 1 lime wedge

Instructions:

1. Freeze the watermelon cubes in a Ziploc bag overnight.
2. Prepare the rim garnish by combining the sea salt flakes, caster sugar, chili flakes, and lime zest. Set aside.
3. Add the frozen watermelon cubes, tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and honey into a blender and blend until smooth.
4. Wet the rims of tall glasses with the lime wedge and top with the garnish.
5. Pour the cocktail into the glasses and serve.

White Wine Spritzer

When you want to add a little pizzazz to your white wine, give this recipe a try. You can decorate the drink with lemon slices, mint sprigs, or a splash of berries.

Time – 5 minutes
Servings – 1

Ingredients:

• 5 ½ oz white wine
• 1 ½ oz soda water
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Add ice cubes to a large wine glass.
2. Pour in the white wine and soda water.
3. Garnish as desired.

Strawberry Gin

This delicious drink is a strawberry-flavoured version of the traditional gin and tonic. The syrup is simple to make, and the taste will have you turning to the cocktail at your next gathering.

Time – 15 minutes
Servings – 6

Ingredients:

• 25 oz gin of choice
• 16 ½ oz strawberries, sliced
• 4 ¼ oz granulated sugar

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the gin, strawberries, and granulated sugar.
2. Mix gently and pour into a 55-oz jar.
3. Place the liquid in the refrigerator for 3 weeks, stirring every 2-3 days.
4. Strain through a coffee filter before serving.

Watermelon Daiquiri

This delightful cocktail will dazzle your friends when you serve it at your next gathering. Try garnishing with a watermelon wedge and icing the rim with some watermelon sugar.

Time – 5 minutes
Servings – 1

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup ice cubes
• 1 ¾ oz white rum
• 1 oz watermelon liqueur
• ¾ tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
• 3 ½ oz watermelon

Instructions:

1. Combine all the ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth.
2. Pour into a daiquiri glass.

Ginger Spritz

If it is the taste of ginger you are after, try this delicious and simple drink that is both refreshing and bubbly. I like to add a lemon wedge to the glass to give it more color.

Time – 5 minutes
Servings – 1

Ingredients:

• 8 oz crushed ice
• ½ teaspoon sugar syrup
• 2 lemon wedges
• 5 oz golden ale
• 5 oz prosecco
• 2 ½ oz ginger beer

Instructions:

1. Take the crushed ice and drop it in a tall glass.
2. Pour the sugar syrup over the ice.
3. Squeeze the lemon wedge over the glass, then pour in the golden ale and prosecco. Stir gently.
4. Top the liquid with the ginger beer and garnish with the lemon wedge.

Mango and Pineapple Mojito

Just as much fun to say as it is to drink. This Mojito will quickly become the drink of choice when you take your first sip.

Time – 5 minutes
Servings – 6

Ingredients:

• 1 ¾ oz pineapple chunks
• 1 ¾ oz mango, chopped
• 3 limes, chopped
• 1 oz light brown sugar
• 2 mint sprigs
• Ice cubes
• 5 oz white rum
• 6 ¾ oz pineapple rum
• 2 ¼ oz sparkling water

Instructions:

1. Muddle the pineapple chunks, mango, light brown sugar, and limes in a large glass jug.
2. Bruise the mint sprigs and add to the content in the jug.
3. Top the cocktail with ice cubes.
4. Add the rums and sparkling water and stir gently.

Elderflower Spritz

The bubbly fresh taste of prosecco makes the Elderflower Spritz a refreshing after-hours drink you can enjoy sitting on your deck. Decorate the glass with fresh lemon or lime slices for a fun look.

Time – 8 minutes
Servings – 1

Ingredients:

• Ice cubes
• ¾ oz elderflower liqueur
• ¾ oz gin
• 3 oz prosecco
• 1 ¼ oz soda water
• 1 lime, sliced

Instructions:

1. In a glass tumbler, add ice cubes and pour the elderflower liqueur over.
2. Add the gin and prosecco, followed by a top of the soda water.
3. Garnish with the lime slices.

Mango Margarita

The sweet taste of mango is the perfect accompaniment to the hot summer sun when you take a sip of this drink. Garnish with some basil or mint leaves to give it a festive look.

Time – 5 minutes
Servings – 1

Ingredients:

• 1 ¾ oz Blanco tequila
• ¾ oz triple sec
• ¾ oz lime juice
• 1 ¾ oz mango chunks
• ½ oz agave syrup
• Ice cubes
• 1 basil sprig

Instructions:

1. Add the Blanco tequila, triple sec, lime juice, mango chunks, agave syrup, and ice cubes to a food processor and blend until the ingredients are combined and smooth.
2. Pour into a large coupe, garnish with the basil sprig and enjoy!

Passion Fruit Martini

This drink is delicious and should be enjoyed while sitting by the pool or on a yacht like a rich celebrity. Garnish with a passion fruit slice or mint leaf for full effect.

Time – 5 minutes
Servings – 2

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe passion fruits, cut in half
• 2 oz vanilla vodka
• 1 oz Passoa
• ½ oz lime juice
• ½ oz sugar syrup
• Prosecco
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Empty the passion fruit halves and place the seeds in a cocktail shaker.
2. Add the rest of the ingredients except for prosecco and ice cubes and shake well.
3. Strain the content into 2 martini glasses.
4. Add ice cubes and top with prosecco.
5. Garnish as desired.

Pimm’s

James Pimm knew what he was doing when he invented this delicious alcohol with gin, quinine, and spice. Make sure to toast him when you clink the glasses this summer.

Time – 5 minutes
Servings – 4

Ingredients:

• 6 ¾ oz Pimm’s No. 1
• 20 ¼ oz lemonade
• 1 mint sprig
• 1 cucumber, sliced
• 1 orange, sliced
• 1 pint strawberries
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Find a large jug and add at least a cup or more of ice cubes.
2. Pour the Pimm’s No. 1 and lemonade and stir well.
3. Add the rest of the ingredients and enjoy!

Coconut and Pineapple Cooler

This combination of coconut and pineapple creates a tropical flavor that will make you feel like you are sunning on a faraway beach. Garnish the cocktail with a small watermelon wedge for added color.

Time – 15 minutes
Servings – 4

Ingredients:

• 10 ¼ oz coconut rum
• 10 ¼ oz cold water
• 20 ¼ oz pineapple juice
• 5 oz gin
• 1 small watermelon, cut in chunks
• 1 dozen coriander sprigs

Instructions:

1. Prepare 6 jam jars that hold 11 oz each and have screw-top lids.
2. Add 1 ¾ oz of the coconut rum, 3 ½ oz of the pineapple juice, ¾ oz of the gin, and 1 ¾ oz of the cold water to each jar. Stir well.
3. Add some of the watermelon chunks to each. Bruise the coriander sprigs and add them to the jars.
4. Serve and enjoy!

Blueberry Mojito

I adore the color of this drink just as much as the taste. This is the prettiest cocktail to serve, and your guests will be thrilled when they take their first sip.

Time – 5 minutes
Servings – 6

Ingredients:

• 3 ½ oz blueberries
• 3 lemons, chopped
• 1 oz castor sugar
• 2 mint sprigs, bruised
• 12 ¼ oz white rum
• 21 ¼ oz sparkling water
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Add the blueberries, lemons, castor sugar, and mint sprigs to a jug.
2. Using a muddler, crush the ingredients.
3. Pour in ice cubes.
4. Add the white rum and sparkling water to the top and stir.

English Garden

This aptly named cocktail is reminiscent of a cool summer day in the middle of the fragrant flowers of an English garden. Garnish with a thinly sliced cucumber strip for added color.

Time – 5 minutes
Servings – 1

Ingredients:

• 5 mint leaves, bruised
• 1 oz gin
• 1/3 oz elderflower cordial
• 1/3 oz lemon juice
• Ice cubes
• Cloudy apple juice
• 1 cucumber strip

Instructions:

1. Combine the mint leaves, gin, elderflower cordial, and lemon juice in a large glass. Use a spoon with a long handle to stir.
2. Add ice cubes and top with cloudy apple juice.
3. Stir and add the cucumber strip.

Strawberry Mojito

There is nothing like a pitcher of mojitos, good company, and the summer sun shining down on you. I like to add some raspberries to this cocktail for added color.

Time – 5 minutes
Servings – 6

Ingredients:

• 1 dozen strawberries
• 2 limes, chopped
• 1 oz castor sugar
• 2 mint sprigs
• Ice cubes
• 12 oz white rum
• 20 ¼ oz sparkling water
• 1 pinch pepper

Instructions:

1. In a large jug, use a muddler to crush the strawberries, limes, and castor sugar.
2. Bruise the mint sprigs by holding them in one hand and slapping them with the other, and add them to the jug.
3. Add the pepper and ice cubes.
4. Top with the white rum and sparkling water.

Elderflower Collins

Elderflower was originally used in cocktails in Northwestern Europe and mostly was a drink introduced to men and women in the Victorian era. I like to garnish this drink with a lemon wedge and an elderflower sprig for added color.

Time – 5 minutes
Servings – 1

Ingredients:

• Ice cubes
• 1 ¾ oz gin
• ¾ oz elderflower cordial
• ¾ oz lemon juice
• 5 oz soda water
• 1 lemon slice
• 1 elderflower blossom sprig

Instructions:

1. Add ice cubes to a tall glass and pour in the gin, elderflower cordial, and lemon juice.
2. Stir in the soda water and garnish with the lemon slice and elderflower blossom sprig.

Mango Bellini

This simple drink is perfect for a congratulatory dinner or celebratory party like a birthday or anniversary. You can use sparkling wine or prosecco instead of champagne if you prefer.

Time – 10 minutes
Servings – 2

Ingredients:

• ½ ripe mango, peeled and chopped
• 3 ½ oz champagne, extra for topping

Instructions:

1. Add the ripe mango and champagne to a food processor and blend until smooth.
2. Evenly divide the liquid between 2 champagne flutes.
3. Top with additional champagne and enjoy.

Coconut Rum Punch

If you want to feel like you are on vacation in the tropics, then pour this drink into a coconut shell or a hollowed-out pineapple and drink it with a straw. Garnish with some pineapple wedges for a fun decoration.

Time – 5 minutes
Servings – 6

Ingredients:

• 17 oz pineapple juice
• 17 oz mango juice
• 8 ½ oz Malibu rum
• 8 ½ oz coconut milk
• 1 small pineapple, sliced
• Limes, sliced
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Combine all the ingredients except for ice cubes in a large jug and stir well.
2. Put in the refrigerator to chill and serve on ice cubes.

Summer Punch

This drink is perfect for a summer garden party and looks so delicious and colorful. I like to add a few raspberries for some added color and taste.

Time – 10 minutes
Servings – 10

Ingredients:

• 4 ¼ oz lemon juice
• 1 ¾ oz castor sugar
• 8 ½ oz elderflower liqueur
• 8 ½ oz vodka
• 17 oz apple juice
• 4 ¼ oz sparkling water
• Lemons, sliced
• Mint
• Basil
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix the castor sugar and lemon juice until the sugar dissolves.
2. Transfer into a large serving bowl. Then, add the liquid ingredients.
3. Top with ice cubes and stir.
4. Serve with the herbs and lemon slices.

Aperol Spritz

This delightful orange alcohol has a refreshing and light taste that will have your taste buds singing. Garnish it with an orange slice or lemon wedge to increase its flavor.

Time – 5 minutes
Servings – 2

Ingredients:

• Ice cubes
• 3 ½ oz Aperol
• 5 ¼ oz prosecco
• Soda water

Instructions:

1. Add ice cubes to 2 glasses, followed by 1 ¾ oz of the Aperol in each glass.
2. Evenly divide the prosecco and top with soda water. Serve and enjoy!

Summer Screwdriver

This traditional drink can be served year-round, but the summer is when it really shines. Garnish with an orange wedge or a lemon slice and enjoy the fresh taste.

Time – 10 minutes
Servings – 1

Ingredients:

• 2 small oranges, juiced
• 1 clementine, juiced
• 1 ¾ oz vodka
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• Ice cubes
• 1 orange wedge

Instructions:

1. Add ice cubes to a tall glass.
2. Pour in the vodka and juices and stir.
3. Add the Angostura bitters to the glass and garnish with the orange wedge.

Summer Schnapps

This is one of my favorite go-to drinks when I have people over for a barbecue. The delicious peach and cranberry flavors combine together to make a refreshing cocktail indeed.

Time – 5 minutes
Servings – 1

Ingredients:

• 1 ¾ oz vodka
• ¾ oz peach schnapps
• 3 ½ oz cranberry juice
• 2-3 drops freshly squeezed lime juice
• Ice cubes
• 1 lime wedge

Instructions:

1. Add all the ingredients except for the lime wedge to a cocktail shaker and shake well.
2. Strain into a jar and garnish with the lime wedge.

Cuba Libre

This is a fancier version of the traditional rum and coke which I had when I was in the legal drinking age. Garnish with some lime wedges or lemon slices.

Time – 5 minutes
Servings – 1

Ingredients:

• ½ lime, cut into 4 wedges
• 1 ¾ oz white rum
• 3 ½ oz cola
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. In a tall glass, squeeze the juice from half of the lime wedges.
2. Put the other half of the lime wedges in the glass and add ice cubes.
3. Pour in the white rum and cola and stir well.

Frozen

This is a refreshing drink to sip on when the summer heat hits. Garnish with some strawberries or raspberries and a lemon wedge.

Time – 5 minutes
Servings – 4

Ingredients:

• 25 oz dry rosé wine
• 10 ½ oz hulled strawberries, cut into half
• ¼ oz castor sugar
• 1 lemon, juiced

Instructions:

1. Pour the dry rosé wine into a deep casserole dish or roasting pan.
2. Place in the freezer for 8-12 hours.
3. 30 minutes before serving, add the hulled strawberries and castor sugar to a bowl and let sit for ½ hour.
4. Combine all the ingredients together including the lemon juice and divide into glasses.
5. Garnish as desired.

Akaibara Cooler

Akaibara is a Japanese rose known for its vibrant color and deep beauty. This drink can be made just as vibrant by adding edible rose petals to the liquid.

Time – 5 minutes
Servings – 1

Ingredients:

• Ice cubes
• 1 oz Japanese gin
• ½ oz Lillet Rose vermouth
• 1/3 oz rose petal liqueur
• 3 ¼ oz pink lemonade
• Edible rose petals

Instructions:

1. Add ice cubes to a tall glass.
2. Pour in the Lillet Rose vermouth, Japanese gin, and rose petal liqueur.
3. Top with the pink lemonade and add some edible rose petals for garnish.

Pimm’s Iced Tea

This amazing mixture of Pimm’s signature tonic and freshly brewed iced tea will add some class and taste to your summer gathering. Garnish with lemon wedges or mint sprigs.

Time – 10 minutes
Servings – 4-6

Ingredients:

• 4 tea bags
• ¾ oz mint
• 40 ½ oz boiled water
• 3 ½ oz castor sugar
• 2 large oranges, juiced
• 2 lemons, juiced
• 14 oz Pimm’s No 1
• Strawberries, sliced
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Steep the tea bags and mint in a large jug with the boiled water.
2. Leave for 15 minutes and remove the bags.
3. Add the castor sugar and stir. Let the tea cool.
4. Remove the mint from the jug and add the rest of the ingredients.
5. Chill overnight.
6. Serve over ice cubes and garnish with strawberries.

Tropical Beer Cocktail

Beer is usually a go-to drink for the summer, but who says that it needs to be in a bottle. This tropical cocktail combines the taste of hops with some delicious watermelon syrup.

Time – 5 minutes
Servings – 1

Ingredients:

• ½ oz castor sugar
• 3 ½ oz golden beer
• 1 ¾ oz vodka
• ¼ oz watermelon syrup
• Crushed ice
• 1 watermelon slice
• Lemon juice or water

Instructions:

1. Wet the rim of the glass with some lemon juice or water and roll it in the castor sugar to coat.
2. Add the golden beer, vodka, and watermelon syrup. Stir well.
3. Add crushed ice to the glass and garnish with the watermelon slice.

Final Thoughts

When the bright sun fills the sky and the gentle breeze blows in the air, the mind turns to food, drinks and celebration! The new season comes with a creative impulse to try new things like one of these amazing summer cocktails.

Decorated with vibrant reds and greens, infused with the fruits of the season and mixed just the way you like, the drinks will quickly become your favorite part of the summer.