These summer cocktails are the perfect refreshing drinks for all your outdoor entertaining! Fruity, fizzy, and light, I’m sharing 35 easy cocktail recipes that you don’t have to be an expert mixologist to make.

A graphic image of four different cocktails, with a headline across the center that reads

Summertime is the perfect time of year to enjoy a refreshing cocktail!

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.

Summer Cocktails

Be sure to pin this blog post to save it for later so you have all these summer cocktail recipes at the ready!

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!

Margarita Recipes

While margaritas might be the official drink of Cinco de Mayo, they’re also perfect for enjoying all summer long.

The Ultimate Premium Cadillac Margarita Recipe

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!

A clear glass with a Cadillac margarita, garnished with an orange slice.

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.

Three glasses of wine margaritas on a marble surface

Champagne Margarita

This champagne margarita is a bubbly, elegant margarita recipe that’s perfect for any celebration!

3 glasses of champagne margaritas on a white tray, gold confetti surrounding

Homemade Margarita

Looking for a classic margarita? Try my simple, no-frills homemade margarita recipe.

Homemade margarita recipe | a classic margarita in minutes!

Homemade Margarita Mix

Make a batch of this margarita mix and you’ll have what you need to make margaritas whenever the craving strikes! It’s also so much better than the kind you buy at the liquor store.

White kitchen background, glass carafe full of homemade margarita mix, limes to the side.

Mint Margarita

A mint margarita is a refreshing, herbaceous cocktail that combines tequila, lime juice, simple syrup, and fresh mint leaves.

A mint margarita in a clear glass, topped with a sprig of mint and a slice of lime on a white background.

Simple and Spicy Jalapeño Margaritas

Add a little heat to your cocktail with this jalapeño margarita. It’s spicy, flavorful, and perfect for pairing with your favorite Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes.

A marble surface with clear glasses full of spicy margarita recipe, jalapeno in foreground.

Poptails aka Lime Popsicle Margaritas

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!

Skinny Margarita Recipe

The classic skinny margarita recipe is a lightened up version of the traditional cocktail, made with tequila, lime juice, orange juice, and agave nectar, then served over ice and garnished with a lime wheel.

The best skinny margarita recipe - all the flavor, without all of the calories!

Margarita Float

Turn your margarita into a dessert with this margarita float recipe. It’s ideal for backyard parties!

mango margarita float in a glass

Mango Margarita

Tropical mango makes the perfect addition to margaritas. Make these when sweet yellow mangos are in season!

A mango margarita with other margaritas in the background, and a bottle of tequila

Watermelon Margarita

Add fresh summer watermelon to your next margarita for a juicy and refreshing cocktail. Just be sure to pick out the seeds!

Skinny Watermelon Margarita recipe

Mimosa Recipes

Mimosas are a favorite for brunches, but they’re also an excellent summer cocktail choice thanks to their fizziness and fruity flavor.

Bottomless Mimosas

These bottomless mimosas are a classic brunch cocktail that combines champagne and orange juice. Making them in a pitcher means they’re perfect for parties!

A mimosa in a champagne glass, pitcher of mimosas to the side

Sorbet Mimosa

My sorbet mimosa is a sweet, refreshing variation of the classic that uses fruit sorbet and champagne for a deliciously fizzy treat.

Three glasses of sorbet mimosas

Prosecco Mimosas

Prosecco mimosas are a crisp and refreshing alternative to traditional mimosas, using Prosecco instead of champagne. Customize the recipe with your favorite fruit juice!

prosecco mimosas garnished with flowers on a marble surface.

Grapefruit Mimosa

These grapefruit mimosas have the prettiest pink hue, and the tart citrus flavor is irresistible, especially on a hot day.

A grapefruit paloma on a marble surface, bottle of champagne to the side

Strawberry Mimosa

With sweet strawberry puree and the bright flavor of lemon, these strawberry lemon mimosas were made for summertime parties and backyard get-togethers! 

A bottle of Champagne pouring into strawberry mimosas, with a bowl of strawberries on the side

Mojito Recipes

Mojitos originated in tropical Cuba, so it’s no surprise that they make a great summer cocktail!

Gin Mojito

My gin mojito recipe adds a twist to the traditional mojito cocktail by using gin instead of rum, but it’s just as delicious as the original!

A gin mojito in a clear glass, garnished with a wedge of lime and a sprig of mint. Gin bottle in background.

Blueberry Mojito

This blueberry mojito is a refreshing blend of blueberries, mint, and lime for a perfect summer drink.

A fresh blueberry mojito garnished with mint, lime and blueberries on a marble surface.

Coconut Mojito

Add some tropical flair to your next party with my coconut mojito recipe. You’ll feel like you’re on vacation!

On a marble surface, a coconut mojito garnished with mint, half a coconut and a full lime near the glass.

Tequila Mojito

For a Mexican-inspired twist on the classic mojito, swap the rum with tequila. I love this cocktail for an al fresco taco dinner!

A tequila mojito in a clear glass on a white surface, garnished with lime wedges and fresh mint.

Raspberry Mojito

A raspberry mojito combines the sweetness of raspberries with the refreshing flavors of mint and lime for a delightful summer drink.

raspberry mojito in highball glass

Mango Mojito

This mango mojito recipe offers a tropical twist on the classic mojito cocktail, but with the addition of mango puree for a sweet and fruity flavor.

A mango mojito in a clear glass, garnished with a sprig of mint.

Pineapple Mojito

Pineapple and mint are an unexpectedly delicious pairing, and the duo really shines in this pineapple mojito recipe. 

pineapple mojito in a clear glass on a marble countertop

Strawberry Mojito

Add ripe summer strawberries to the classic mojito and you get a light, fruity cocktail perfect for sipping on a hot day.

strawberry mojito in clear cocktail glass garnished with mint and lime wedges

Vodka Mojito

My vodka mojito is a simple twist on the classic cocktail that uses vodka instead of rum.

mojito with vodka in a glass garnished with lime slice and mint sprig

Classic Mojito

For those who appreciate a classic, here’s a traditional mojito recipe to mix up for your next party. It’s always a hit!

white countertop featuring a vase of hydrangea and a tall clear glass with a mojito.

Skinny Mojito

The skinny mojito is a lighter version of the classic recipe, but with less sugar and also fewer calories.

skinny mojito in a glass garnished with lime slice and mint sprig

Watermelon Mojito

Mix up some watermelon mojitos for a party and watch them disappear! No one can resist the flavor of sweet watermelon with lime and mint.

how to make a watermelon mojito

Mojito Float

A mojito float is boozy, delicious, and the best dessert for sticky, humid summer nights.

mojito float garnished with lime and mint

More Summer Cocktails

Still looking for your signature summer drink? Here are a few more summer cocktail recipes to consider!

Easy Paloma Cocktail

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.

A paloma recipe on a marble surface with a slice of lime for garnish

Fruity Sangria Recipe

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!

fruity sangria recipe in a glass with peaches, strawberries and garnished with mint

Champagne Slushies

Champagne slushies are ideal for summer celebrations and parties! Fizzy, fruity, and refreshingly cold, this is a cocktail that’s a guaranteed winner.

Boozy Smoothies - 2 ingredient champagne slushies

Spiked Peach Sweet 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!

Easy peach sweet tea recipe that is great for summer sipping or the Kentucky Derby

Vodka Lemonade

The vodka thyme lemonade takes a classic summer drink and gives it an herbaceous, boozy twist—because lemon and thyme are perfect together!

A vodka lemonade cocktail with sliced lemons in the background

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best alcoholic drink in summer?

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. 

Is a mojito a strong cocktail?

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.

Can I skip triple sec in a margarita?

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. 

What is the secret to a good cocktail?

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. 

A graphic image of four different cocktails, with a headline across the center that reads

Summer Cocktails

These summer cocktails are the perfect refreshing drinks for all your outdoor entertaining! Fruity, fizzy, and light, I’m sharing 35 easy cocktail recipes that you don’t have to be an expert mixologist to make.

Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

  • Prep – Gather ingredients, including any pitchers, shakers, and glassware.

  • Combine – Shake or stir ingredients as directed. Enjoy!

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!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 104kcal (5%), Carbohydrates: 25g (8%), Sodium: 84mg (4%), Sugar: 25g (28%)









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