Top 10 Memorial Day Cocktails Americans Love

By Brandon Schlette | Last Updated:

Memorial Day, which marks the start of summer, is a time for gatherings and celebrations. Hosting a Memorial Day event can be both enjoyable and memorable with the right preparations. A well-planned drink menu featuring popular Memorial Day cocktails can elevate any celebration.

Below are the top 10 Memorial Day cocktails Americans prefer, complete with recipes and mixing instructions.

The Reason for This Day

Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday of May, serves as a day of remembrance for those who have died in military service to the United States. Originally known as Decoration Day, it began after the Civil War to honor the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the conflict. Over time, Memorial Day evolved to commemorate American military personnel who died in all wars.

The day is marked by various traditions, including visiting cemeteries and memorials, participating in parades, and observing a national moment of remembrance at 3:00 PM local time. Flags are often flown at half-staff until noon, then raised to full-staff for the remainder of the day. Memorial Day also signifies the unofficial start of summer, making it a popular time for family gatherings, outdoor activities, and celebrations.

By understanding the significance of Memorial Day, we can honor the sacrifices made by those who served and appreciate the freedoms they secured.

1. Classic Vodka Martini

The vodka martini is a timeless classic, enjoyed by many. Its simplicity and elegance make it a favorite.

Ingredients:

  • 2 1/2 oz vodka
  • 1/2 oz dry vermouth
  • Ice
  • Lemon twist or olive for garnish

Instructions:

  1. First, fill a mixing glass with ice.
  2. Next, add vodka and dry vermouth.
  3. Stir well until chilled.
  4. Strain into a chilled martini glass.
  5. Finally, garnish with a lemon twist or olive.

2. Cosmopolitan (Felene Team favorite Memorial Day Cocktail)

The cosmopolitan, popularized by pop culture, is a fruity and refreshing cocktail perfect for summer gatherings.

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 oz vodka
  • 1 oz cranberry juice
  • 1/2 oz triple sec
  • 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
  • Ice
  • Lime wedge or twist for garnish

Instructions:

  1. First, fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
  2. Next, add vodka, cranberry juice, triple sec, and lime juice.
  3. Shake well until chilled.
  4. Strain into a chilled martini glass.
  5. Finally, garnish with a lime wedge or twist.

3. Moscow Mule

Fresh lime juice, vodka and spicy ginger beer are the hallmarks of an iconic Moscow Mule.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 lime, plus 1 lime wheel for garnish
  • 2 ounces vodka
  • Ice
  • 4 ounces chilled ginger beer

Directions

  1. Squeeze 1/2 ounce lime juice into a chilled copper mug or collins glass and drop in the spent lime shell. Add the vodka, fill the mug with ice and stir well. Stir in the ginger beer and garnish with the lime wheel.

4. Bloody Mary

How to make the best Bloody Mary? Skip the mix and doctor up your tomato juice from scratch with horseradish, Worcestershire, and hot sauce.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon celery salt or plain kosher salt, if you prefer
  • 1/4 lemon, cut into 2 wedges
  • 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon soy sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (or less to taste)
  • Dash cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce (such as Frank’s)
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated horseradish (or 1 teaspoon prepared horseradish)
  • 2 ounces vodka
  • 4 ounces high-quality tomato juice
  • 1 stick celery

Directions

  1. Place celery salt in a shallow saucer. Rub rim of a 12-ounce tumbler with 1 lemon wedge and coat wet edge with celery salt. Place lemon wedge on rim of glass. Fill glass with ice.

5. Vodka Tonic

A vodka tonic is a simple yet refreshing drink, ideal for hot summer days and perfect for a Memorial Day Cocktail.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz vodka
  • 4 oz tonic water
  • Ice
  • Lime wedge for garnish

Instructions:

  1. First, fill a glass with ice.
  2. Next, add vodka.
  3. Top with tonic water.
  4. Stir gently to combine.
  5. Finally, garnish with a lime wedge.

6. Lemon Drop Martini

The lemon drop martini, with its sweet and tangy flavor, is a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz vodka
  • 1 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 oz triple sec
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup
  • Ice
  • Sugar for rimming
  • Lemon twist for garnish

Instructions:

  1. First, rim a martini glass with sugar.
  2. Fill a shaker with ice.
  3. Next, add vodka, lemon juice, triple sec, and simple syrup.
  4. Shake well until chilled.
  5. Strain into the prepared martini glass.
  6. Finally, garnish with a lemon twist.

7. Vodka Collins

The Tom Collins is a refreshing classic cocktail made with gin, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and club soda.

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces gin or vodka, I like Hendrick’s
  • 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 ounce simple syrup
  • 1-2 ounces club soda
  • Lemon wheel and brandied/Luxardo cherry for garnish

Instructions

  1. Add all ingredients (except soda) to a Collins glass filled with ice. Stir until mixed.
  2. Top with 1-2 ounces of club soda and stir again. Add more to taste if needed.
  3. Garnish with a lemon wheel and cherry.

8. Vodka Gimlet

The vodka gimlet, combining vodka and lime juice, is both simple and refreshing.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz vodka
  • 3/4 oz fresh lime juice
  • 3/4 oz simple syrup
  • Ice
  • Lime wheel for garnish

Instructions:

  1. First, fill a shaker with ice.
  2. Next, add vodka, lime juice, and simple syrup.
  3. Shake well until chilled.
  4. Strain into a chilled glass.
  5. Finally, garnish with a lime wheel.

9. Sea Breeze

A day by the pool calls for a Sea Breeze Cocktail. Refreshing, light, and citrusy, this simple 3-ingredient cocktail is dangerously delicious and perfect for serving a crowd.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 ounces vodka
  • 3 ounces cranberry juice
  • 1 1/2 ounces grapefruit juice (preferably fresh squeezed)
  • Garnish: Grapefruit wedge

Instructions

  1. Add the vodka, cranberry juice and grapefruit juice to a rocks glass filled with ice. Stir to combine.
  2. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge. Enjoy!

10. 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.

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.

Brandon Schlette is a celebrated mixologist renowned for his innovative cocktails. With a flair for blending unique flavors, he's a master behind the bar, inspiring both patrons and aspiring bartenders with his creative approach and deep knowledge of mixology.

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