The Best Summer Cocktails

There’s nothing like enjoying the summer sunshine with a cool drink in hand, and these summer cocktails are the perfect way to beat the heat! Try one by the water, on the porch or for any summer parties.

A copper and glass mule mug next to a strawberry and lime half.

Your ultimate guide to summer cocktails

Ah, summer. Even as an adult, there’s something special about these warm months that offered so much potential as a kid. The sunshine still beckons me, but now instead of waving down the ice cream truck, I’m inspired to swap my computer for a cocktail and enjoy it on my porch.

On the summer days when it gets especially hot, a cool drink is essential for cooling down. These summer cocktail recipes have cracked the code! From cool flavors, like cucumber, to frozen delights, these sippers are a life saver on those triple-digit days.

The other thing I love about summer is the spontaneity. In the winter, I opt to hunker down and stay cozy at home. But when summer rolls around, I’m all for a last-minute cook out or hosting a brunch for my family and friends.

Summer solstice? Let’s enjoy an extra bevvy and make the most of the extra daylight! Memorial Day picnic or July 4 BBQ? Covered with red, white and blue drinks. These recipes are the next best thing to summer vacation. I think you’ll agree!

Two virgin frozen lime margaritas with garnish on a golden tray.

Quick tips for hosting

The best part about summer parties is that they don’t have to be fancy. Good food, good drinks and good company are the necessities and everything else is just a bonus!

Set up a drink bar to let people serve themselves. It saves you from getting stuck mixing drinks all night and allows plenty of time to mingle. You can do this with all kinds of recipes; you’ll just want to offer several options. From the base of the drink to alcohol, give guests a few choices of each to create their perfect drink.

Don’t forget the garnishes! Sprigs of fresh herbs, like fresh mint or basil, serve as a colorful garnish for any drink, as do slices of fruit. Lean into the fun of summer with a cocktail umbrella or a festive cocktail pick for some flair!

Keep things cool with ice — plenty of ice! Large ice cubes can be helpful because they melt more slowly, preventing your drink from getting diluted. You can also place ice buckets near where you’re serving drinks, in case guests want to add a little extra to their drinks.

Mocktails matter. When you’re hosting in warmer weather, don’t forget to give your guests non-alcoholic options. While soda water is great, infused water is a big-batch drink that’s a great add to any occasion. It tastes great and keeps everyone hydrated!

What to serve with Summer Cocktails

Easy breezy cocktails are complimented with delicious, simple recipes. Buffalo chicken sliders would be perfect at a cookout with a side of purple sweet potato fries. Pasta salad is a summertime staple that can work as both a side dish for parties or an easy dinner. And don’t forget dessert for a touch of sweetness!

Frozen margarita bars are a boozy citrus treat that’s always a hit. For a more interactive dessert, mix up a batch of homemade chocolate syrup and serve it as part of an ice cream bar that all ages will love!

The best summer cocktails

These refreshing Summer Cocktails are full of flavor! With fresh ingredients and plenty of ice, they’re just what you need to cool off.

1
Beat the heat this summer with Frozen Lemon Daiquiris reminiscent of the New Orleans classic cocktail. Sweet and tart, this citrus and rum cocktail is like a fresh frozen lemonade. (via feastandwest.com)
Frozen Lemon Daiquiris
A Frozen Lemon Daiquiri is like a lemon slushy with a little grown-up kick. It’s tart, icy and perfect for sipping in the sunshine. Fresh lemon juice ensures plenty of flavor in this frozen delight.
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2
mint leaves on a peach whiskey smash
Peach Whiskey Smash
The Peach Whiskey Smash is juicy, minty and full of fresh peach flavor with a little bourbon backbone. It tastes like a southern summer evening in a glass.
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3
Two Pimms Cup cocktails sit next to a bottle of Pimms No. 1 liqueur.
Pimm’s No. 1 Cup
The Classic Pimm’s Cup is fruity, fizzy and just fancy enough to make any backyard hangout feel a bit posh. Load it up with fresh fruit and cucumber for the full experience.
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4
A glass of a light pink drink with crushed ice, garnished with a skewer of green grapes. Another glass and a bowl of green grapes are in the background, with a teal cloth nearby.
Honey Deuce Cocktail
The Honey Deuce Cocktail is a sweet-tart mix of vodka, lemonade and raspberry liqueur that feels a little extra — in the best way. It’s super sippable and dangerously easy to love.
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5
A glass of Lynchburg lemonade with ice and flowers.
Lynchburg Lemonade
Lynchburg Lemonade brings together Jack Daniels, lemon and a touch of fizz for a drink that’s bold but breezy. It’s basically Tennessee sunshine in a glass.
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6
frozen margaritas with tajin rims
Frozen Margaritas
The Frozen Margarita is a summer MVP — icy, tangy and always a good idea. Just throw everything in a blender and let the party begin.
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7
Two glass jars of orange-colored drink garnished with lemon slices and mint leaves, placed on hexagonal coasters.
Summer Shandy
The Summer Shandy is part beer, part lemonade, and all kinds of refreshing. It’s the easiest drink to throw together when it’s hot out and you want something light but still fun.
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8
A glass of pink Frosé.
Easy Frosé
Frosé is chilled-out rosé wine blended with ice, strawberries and a splash of citrus for peak summer sipping. It’s pretty, pink and tastes as good as it looks.
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9
A clear glass filled with a pink and dark red gradient cocktail, garnished with a lemon slice and blackberry on a skewer. There's a small bowl of blackberries next to the glass.
Bramble Cocktail
The Bramble Cocktail is a tart and slightly sweet gin drink with blackberries doing all the heavy lifting. It’s a little fancy, super pretty and surprisingly easy to whip up.
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10
a lime wedge is pushed into a pink corona beer cocktail.
Corona Sunrise
The Corona Sunrise is part beer, part tequila sunrise, and totally a beach party in a bottle. It’s unexpected, fun and a hit every single time.
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11
Two cucumber garnished cocktails with a golden cocktail shaker on a marble countertop.
Cucumber Martini
The Cucumber Martini is crisp, cool and ridiculously refreshing. It’s like spa water with a vodka upgrade.
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12
A tall glass cocktail garnished with an orange slice and a cherry on a skewer, filled with a light-colored beverage and ice cubes, placed on a marble surface.
Vodka Collins
Citrusy and bubbly, the Vodka Collins is incredibly easy to drink. It’s a no-fuss classic cocktail that never goes out of style.
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13
Two pink cocktails in gold-rimmed glasses garnished with cucumber, lime wedge, and chili powder. A dish with watermelon pieces in the background.
Watermelon Margarita
The Watermelon Margarita is juicy, vibrant and the best excuse to use up that giant watermelon you bought. It’s like summer poured itself into a salt-rimmed glass. (But really, it was you, expert summer bartender!)
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14
Two tall glasses with red berry drinks, topped with ice, fresh mint, and berries, with bamboo straws. A bowl of assorted berries is in the background.
Red, White and Blue Mojito
The Red White and Blue Mojito is a festive twist on the classic with berries, mint and a splash of rum. It’s fun, colorful and tastes as good as it looks.
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15
A close-up of a cocktail in a decorative glass garnished with a slice of caramelized banana. A gold spoon and a yellow cloth are visible in the background.
Banana Daiquiri
The Banana Daiquiri is tropical and basically dessert in cocktail form. If you love bananas and rum, this one’s your new go-to. (Blend it with ice if you prefer a frozen version!)
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16
A grey and white straw in a glass of bourbon slushy.
Bourbon Slush
This icy Bourbon Slush is sweet and citrusy. It's frozen so you don’t have to choose between a cocktail and a popsicle. It’s retro in the best way!
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17
A close-up of a glass of cocktail with ice, garnished with a sprig of rosemary and lemon peel, with a corkscrew and halved lemons in the background.
White Wine Spritzer
The White Wine Spritzer is light, bubbly and perfect when you want to keep it casual but classy. It’s a warm-weather no-brainer.
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18
a pineapple mimosa on a white background with a whole pineapple
Pineapple Mimosas
Perfect for summer brunch, the Pineapple Mimosa swaps out orange juice for something a little sunnier. It’s tropical, sparkly and (almost) way too easy to make.
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19
A copper and glass mule mug next to a strawberry and lime half.
Strawberry Mule
The Strawberry Mule is gingery, fruity and super refreshing with a summery twist. It’s like the Moscow Mule went berry-picking.
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20
A textured glass filled with an orange beverage, garnished with a sprig of thyme. Two similar glasses are blurred in the background.
Honey Old-Fashioned
The Honey Old-Fashioned is a smoother, sweeter version of the classic — perfect for warm nights when you still want a little kick. It’s familiar but fresh.
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21
A glass with gold star pattern holds a bubbly mimosa garnished with green herb leaves
Guava Mimosas
Tropical and tangy, the Guava Mimosa is a fun little twist on your standard brunch cocktail. It’s bubbly, pretty and just a bit unexpected.
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22
A glass of lemon-based cocktail surrounded by a cutting board and lemons.
Vodka Lemonade
Vodka Lemonade is the ultimate backyard drink — simple, zesty and always a hit. It’s proof that sometimes the basics are the best.
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23
Two cocktail glasses with pink beverages garnished with passion fruit slices. A gold cocktail shaker and jigger are in the background.
Passion Fruit Cocktail
This Passion Fruit Cocktail is tangy, a little exotic and guaranteed to wake up your taste buds. It’s sunshine in liquid form.
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24
A red Madras cocktail on a white coaster.
Madras Drink
The Madras Drink is an easy combo of cranberry, orange juice and vodka that always hits the spot. It’s simple, sweet and works for any time of day.
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25
Two glasses of pink-colored watermelon beverages with ice cubes and garnished with watermelon slices. A plate of watermelon slices is visible in the background.
Tequila Mockingbird
The Tequila Mockingbird is a cheeky name for a bold mix of tequila, mint and a little heat. It’s got a kick from jalapeño, but it’s smooth enough to keep you coming back.
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26
Two glasses of iced tea with lemon slices and mint leaves, accompanied by a bowl of lemons and a spoon, on a white surface.
Lillet Spritz
The Lillet Spritz is light, citrusy and European, with just enough sparkle to make you feel fancy. It’s like a vacation in a wine glass.
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27
A tall glass of iced tea with a slice of lemon on the rim and mint leaves garnish, placed on a white surface.
Spiked Arnold Palmer (John Daly Drink)
Also called the John Daly, the Spiked Arnold Palmer blends iced tea, lemonade and a splash of booze — what’s not to love? It’s laid-back and totally refreshing.
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28
Three glasses of peach iced tea with mint leaves sit on woven coasters, accompanied by fresh peaches and a pitcher of the beverage.
Peach Sangria
Fresh peaches are the shining gem of summertime, and they truly sparkle in this homemade peach sangria. It's a great party drink for any summer occasion.
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About Susannah

Susannah Brinkley Henry is the founder of Feast + West, a cocktail blog featuring creative, budget-friendly drinks and hosting ideas. A graphic designer with bartending school training, she shares cocktails, mocktails, appetizers and desserts for easy, stylish entertaining. Her work has been featured by Southern Living, Buzzfeed, The Huffington Post and Mashable, and she was a finalist in the Saveur Blog Awards. Susannah is also a publisher on MSN and has appeared on local news segments sharing seasonal drinks. She lives in Charlotte, N.C., where she brings Southern charm and global inspiration to every pour. Read more.

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