August brings hot days as summer winds down, making refreshing sips a must. Use seasonal flavors in new ways or transform a classic recipe to make the most of the month.
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Your ultimate guide to August drinks
By the time August rolls around it evokes several strong thoughts. One, where did summer go, because it feels like it was just May! Two, it is hot out here. And finally — and perhaps most importantly — why are there already Halloween decorations out?! School hasn’t (quite) started yet, either. But soon!
The prevailing feeling about August is seizing what’s left of summer. That means cool and refreshing drinks to beat the heat while embracing the fun and flexibility of the season. It also typically means the annual launch of the Starbucks fall menu and the omnipresent PSL.
Since the month is devoid of big holidays, I love that you can celebrate the small stuff or simply embrace a quieter month. Just don’t let it pass you by without embracing what’s in season so you can capture the freshest flavors!
August flavor guide
Not only does August bring the tail end of summer, but also the end of the season for several fruity favorites, including melons and stone fruits.
Melons, like watermelon and cantaloupe, reach the end of their peak this month. Be sure to use them while they’re ripe and juicy — even though they may be available beyond summertime, I find they don’t have as much flavor.
Stone fruits are fruits that contain tough pits, not seeds. In August, peaches, nectarines and apricots are at their peak and bring both color and flavor to your drinks. For fruits like peaches that have a softer flavor, a homemade peach syrup can help infuse it in a stronger way and help the flavor last beyond summer. And don’t forget the cherries, which are technically stone fruits too.
Continue to embrace the whimsy and fun of summer days with the drinks that you make. A cocktail garnish board is a colorful way to provide options when you’re hosting and takes your drinks over the top.
What’s happening in August
Although there aren’t any official holidays during the month, there’s plenty to celebrate!
- August 3 — National Watermelon Day
- August 4 — National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day
- August 6 — National Root Beer Float Day
- August 7 — International Beer Day (the first Friday of August)
- August 10 — National S’mores Day
- August 13 — National Prosecco Day
- August 14 — National Creamsicle Day
- August 16 — National Rum Day
- August 20 — National Bacon Lovers’ Day
- August 24 — National Waffle Day
- August 30 — U.S. Open kicks off
Don’t be afraid to draw inspiration from these flavors and embrace them in creative ways. Chocolate chip cookie shots are superior to regular cookies and there are plenty of s’mores cocktails that don’t require a campfire. Or go for a maple-forward Irish Breakfast Shot with a piece of bacon on top for Bacon Lovers’ Day, and Waffle Day while you’re at it.
Your August drink menu
Let these drinks help you enjoy what’s left of summer with brightness and refreshment. Cheers!
August Flavors
August is one of the hottest months of the year, but it also carries that bittersweet feeling of summer slipping away — back to school, Labor Day on the horizon, one last pool day to squeeze in. These recipes lean into both sides of that: stone fruit and herbal cocktails for the heat, and a couple of nods to the Starbucks fall lineup that drops at the end of the month whether you're ready for it or not.
National Prosecco Day
We celebrate National Prosecco Day on Aug. 13, right in the thick of summer's hottest stretch — a worthwhile excuse to pop a bottle of crisp bubbly. These three sparkling cocktails range from a fruity Italian classic to a bittersweet modern favorite — all easy enough for a weeknight toast.
Back to School & Tailgate
There's something deeply nostalgic about late August — s'mores at the end of a summer night, a PB&J in a lunchbox, lemonade on a hot afternoon. These drinks lean into that feeling, with cocktails inspired by childhood favorites, plus a drink that's made for the first tailgate of the season. (It works whether you're cheering on a pre-season NFL or a college game.)
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