Summer is the season of many things—outdoor gatherings, long days in the sun, and, for many, more flexible schedules. As a food and drink fanatic, one of my go-to activities when I find myself with all this extra time is to try new recipes and tweak some classics. So, what better time than the hottest months of the year to sample some of the best summer cocktails? With so many options to choose from, here’s your foolproof guide to making the most refreshing drink of the season.
The best summer cocktails to try this season
So what are the best summer cocktails? Typically, spirits are light, sparkling, and often paired with fresh fruit or citrus. Our goal was to create a drink that was easy to drink and could beat the summer heat.
There’s something for everyone on this list – strong sips based on tequila or vodka, as well as wine-based options paired with fruit liqueurs. No matter how you choose to kick off your summer cocktail adventure, we’ve got you covered.
Spicy Mezcal Paloma
Why we love it: Dare I say, this might be the best summer cocktail of the year. I recently drank mezcal for the first time at the SXSW event in Austin, and things got better for me. As my company warned me, this is an acquired taste. Still, the spicy and smoky flavor of this paloma is sure to win you over.
Hero ingredients: Instead of adding agave or sweetener, Camille added a little honey, which worked like a charm.
Limoncello Sprite
Why we love it: If you’re dreaming of the Italian coast in the summer, try your hand at making this simple yet elegant limoncello spritzer. Paired with sparkling prosecco, fresh lemon and mint, and of course, tangy, sweet limoncello, you’ll be on your way to Sweet Life immediately.
Hero ingredients: Adding lemon garnish to the glass is almost a must.
Lillet Sprite
Why we love it: In my opinion, the Aperol Sprite craze is totally worth the hype. Not to mention, any Sprite-based drink is my preference during the warmer months. For all you Francophiles out there, oOur Editor-in-Chief Isabelle has crafted the perfect drink with a sweet and fruity twistand Lillet rosé.
Hero ingredients: Add some fresh citrus slices to spruce up this spray!
spicy margarita
Why we love it: Before I considered myself a Texas girl, I didn’t understand the desire to add extra calories to food. However, I’ve since changed my ways and am now obsessed with adding spices wherever I can – including in my favorite drinks. Served with a tagine rim and sliced chiles, this spicy recipe is just what you need to sip poolside.
Hero ingredients: Orange juice adds sweetness to your typical margarita recipe.
Watermelon Mint Margarita
Why we love it: Frozen cocktails hold a special place in my heart. While they’re not my go-to drink, drinks like slush can instantly lift my mood. In honor of summer’s favorite fruit, this margarita uses fresh watermelon to create one of the most refreshing cocktails I’ve ever tasted.
Hero ingredients: Fresh mint is the perfect complement to the watermelon.
Cactus Pear Margaret
Why we love it: Whenever I find a cactus drink on the menu, I’m immediately curious, but also skeptical. What I love about this particular recipe is that it doesn’t have an overly sugary taste like cactus drinks can sometimes do. It features balanced flavors including fresh squeezed lime juice and your choice of tequila.
Hero ingredients: Not to contradict my previous statement, but I actually prefer the sugar edge on this particular drink.
great beach
Why we love it: When spending a day at the beach or lounging by the pool, I turn to this French-inspired Sprite. It’s elegant and light, giving off the best coastal summer vibes with every sip. The secret ingredient? A touch of Angostura bitters brings out notes of vanilla and spice.
Hero ingredients: The highlight of this recipe is thanks to the dry sparkling wine.
Classic Margarita
Why we love it: In Texas, everyone has their own margarita recipe that they claim is the real margarita recipe. Call me biased, but after taste testing hundreds of drinks across the state, Camille’s Marg recipe is one of the best. You’ll want to break out your good tequila for this recipe—you won’t regret it.
Hero ingredients: I always choose Cointreau over Triple Sec as my marg.
salty dog cocktail
Why we love it: For a simple and crowd-pleasing cocktail, this grapefruit juice and vodka combo is always my go-to. Variations on this classic Greyhound cocktail can be made to suit different taste buds by adding more vodka, or adding more soda to mellow the flavor.
Hero ingredients: The salty edge is the cherry on top of this cocktail.
Mint Iced Cocktail
Why we love it: What I hate most is sitting in a bar or restaurant that’s fresh out of the oven. As a big fan of this fresh herb, it’s one of my favorite ingredients to add to my home cocktails, especially this recipe. With a hint of oak, rich bourbon, and a touch of honey, this four-ingredient recipe is one I can enjoy year-round.
Hero ingredients: Opting for honey instead of simple syrup is an easy way to elevate this cocktail.
Elderberry Spring Cocktail
Why we love it: St. Germain has always been one of my go-to liqueurs when I’m craving something sweet and slightly floral but not too heavy. Garnished with chamomile flowers and spring mint, this cocktail offers the perfect blend of sweet and citrus notes with a touch of effervescence.
Hero ingredients: Lemon juice is always a great addition to elderberry drinks.
Watermelon Vodka Cocktail
Why we love it: The best summer cocktails are those that go all out. For this drink, simply shake all the ingredients and add them back into the watermelon balls. It’s that easy to whip up low-maintenance, crowd-pleasing cocktails.
Hero ingredients: While you technically can omit the fresh watermelon here, I consider it a non-negotiable in your ingredient list.
seabird
Why we love it: This tropical resort-style summer cocktail is infused with fresh juice. Jennifer Federer shares tips from her book A must-have book for bars, Like adding Aperol and using premium rum to create one of the best summer cocktails we’ve ever had.
Hero ingredients: Add fresh pineapple skewers to really complete this amazing drink.
kombucha cocktail
Why we love it: I’ve been addicted to kombucha’s probiotic benefits since my first sip. The great thing about this healthy drink is that it pairs well with almost any alcohol, allowing you to create the best summer cocktails with a fruity and bubbly base.
Hero ingredients: Whether you brew kombucha at home or buy it from the store, you need to have it on hand to enjoy this delicious experience.
