25 Summer Cocktails
Updated by Kathryne Taylor on June 26, 2025
What are you sipping this weekend? Since we’re in the thick of summer heat, I’m highlighting my favorite summer drinks from my cocktail collection. I worked as a bartender years ago, and I love crafting simple and fresh cocktails to enjoy at home. All twenty-five of these summer cocktail recipes are refreshing, many are fruity, and none are syrupy sweet.
Whether you prefer your cocktails made with gin, tequila, rum, vodka or prosecco, you’ll find a winner here. Browse classic cocktails like the Aperol spritz, mojito and Tom Collins, plus my go-to margarita and fun variations, brunch drinks, low-key spritzes with bubbly club soda, and more.
I added some non-alcoholic “mocktails” at the end, suitable for both adults and kids. I’m currently sipping from the mocktail menu since we’re expecting a baby in September, so I added details on my favorite bubbly drink in that section.
Pour a drink, make a simple appetizer, and enjoy your weekend!
Classic Aperol Spritz
Learn how to make a classic Aperol spritz! These bubbly Italian cocktails are refreshing and so easy to make. Aperol spritzes are best made one by one, so the recipe is written to yield one cocktail and you can make more as necessary. Cheers!
Classic Mojito
Learn how to make classic mojitos at home with this foolproof recipe! These not-too-sweet mojitos are minty-fresh, fizzy and delicious. You’ll just need white rum, club soda, fresh lime and mint, and sugar.
Tom Collins Cocktail
This Tom Collins recipe is the best! Tom Collins cocktails are made with gin, lemon, club soda and simple syrup. They’re delightfully fizzy, delicious and refreshing. You can mix several at once in a cocktail shaker.
Mai Tai Cocktails
Learn how to make classic mai tai cocktails and throw your own tiki party! These simple cocktails are strong and delicious, like mai tais should be. You’ll need dark and light rums, orgeat syrup, lime juice and a dash of bitters.
Americano Cocktail
The Americano cocktail is a fizzy, bittersweet drink with Italian origins. Made with Campari, sweet vermouth, and soda water, it’s the perfect aperitivo before dinner or a refreshing sipper on a warm day.
Easy Mint Julep
These mint juleps are refreshing, boozy and easy to make—make them for the Kentucky Derby and all summer long. You’ll just need fresh mint, bourbon, maple syrup and ice. Using maple syrup instead of simple syrup saves a step and makes the drink taste extra special, in a subtle way.
Classic Moscow Mule
Learn how to make the best Moscow Mule cocktail! They’re easy to make with vodka, fresh lime juice and ginger beer.
Whiskey Sour
Make the best whiskey sour with this recipe! Fresh lemon juice is key. On a hot day, serve your whiskey sour on the rocks.
Negroni Sbagliato Cocktail
The Negroni sbagliato is bittersweet, lightly fizzy, and citrusy. It’s a lovely aperitivo. To make the recipe, you’ll need Campari, sweet vermouth and prosecco.
Fresh Bellini Cocktail
Bellini cocktails are perfect for summertime! For this simple and delicious recipe, you’ll only need ripe, juicy peaches and Prosecco. Recipe yields 5 bellinis; multiply for a crowd.
Kir Royale Cocktail
Learn how to make a classic Kir Royale with this simple recipe! You’ll only need two ingredients—Champagne and Chambord (or crème de cassis). Feel free to use a little more or less liqueur to suit your taste buds.
Homemade Bloody Marys
Make Bloody Mary cocktails at home with this delicious recipe! This Bloody Mary mix is made from scratch with basic ingredients. It’s perfect for your next brunch. Recipe yields 4 cocktails.
The Best Mimosa (Plus Tips & Variations!)
Learn how to make classic orange mimosas with this recipe, plus find tips on how to make them your own! Mimosas are super easy to make once you know the basics.
Bee’s Knees Cocktail
The bee’s knees is a classic cocktail made with gin, lemon and honey. This recipe is strong, refreshing and delicious. Recipe yields 1 cocktail; you can multiply the ingredients and make up to 3 cocktails at once in a standard cocktail shaker.
Gimlet Cocktail
The gimlet cocktail is a delightful combination of gin, fresh lime juice and simple syrup, served up with a twist of lime. Recipe yields 1 drink; you can mix up to 3 in a standard cocktail shaker at once.
Cucumber Elderflower Gimlet
This refreshing cucumber elderflower gimlet recipe is made with Hendrick’s gin, St-Germain liqueur, fresh cucumber and lime.
Classic Martini
Make a classic martini at home with this foolproof recipe. Whether you like your martini with a twist of lemon or dirty with olives, with gin or vodka, this recipe is for you.
Ranch Water Cocktail
Make the ultimate ranch water cocktail at home with this recipe! You’ll need good tequila, fresh lime, and Topo Chico or sparkling water.
Paloma Cocktail
This paloma recipe is bright, citrusy and refreshing (and not too sweet). You’ll need tequila, grapefruit and lime, Topo Chico and simple syrup.
Skinny Margaritas
These super fresh, skinny margaritas are made with fresh lime juice, orange juice and agave nectar. Meet the best margarita you’ll ever have!
Frozen Strawberry Margaritas
Frozen strawberry margaritas are so refreshing! This margarita recipe is made with all-natural ingredients, and it’s ready in under 10 minutes.
Fresh Mezcalitas
This fresh mezcalita recipe is similar to a margarita, but with mezcal. It’s made with orange juice, lime juice, and of course, mezcal. It wouldn’t be complete without the spicy, salted rim.
Spicy Watermelon Margaritas
These watermelon margaritas are refreshing and have a kick. They’re easy to make and naturally sweetened. Skip the chili powder and jalapeño for a classic watermelon margarita.
The Best Red Sangria
Meet the best sangria you’ll ever have! Made with fresh fruit, brandy and red wine, this classic red sangria recipe will hit the spot. It’s so easy to make! Recipe yields 1 pitcher; enough for six glasses.
Watermelon White Sangria
The best white sangria recipe, featuring watermelon, summer fruit and St-Germain liqueur. This sangria is absolutely perfect for summertime sipping.
Bonus: Mocktails & Fruity Non-alcoholic drinks
My go-to mocktail: Cold sparkling water with a huge squeeze of lime and a chili-salt rim. Sometimes I add a sprig of fresh mint and/or some sliced cucumber.
Here are a few more non-alcoholic drinks for hot days:
Refreshing Hibiscus Mocktail
Hibiscus tea mixed with bubbly club soda, a squeeze of lime, and a splash of honey simple syrup.
Frozen Mint Lemonade
This spin on lemonade was inspired by a frozen drink in Morocco. It’s very cooling on a hot afternoon.
Pink Drink
A knock-off of Starbuck’s “Pink Drink,” made with strawberries, orange juice, hibiscus tea and coconut milk.
Summertime Aguas Frescas
Fun fruity drinks made simply of fruit blended with water, lime juice and a bit of sweetener.
Watermelon Juice
Cold homemade juice made with sweet, ripe watermelon is a real treat (it’s so easy, too).
More summertime recipe roundups you might appreciate:
I am wanting to make your banana breat/muffins. But as I live in England, I would appreciate guidance on which flours here in the UK would best compliment the recipe. I have read that our all-purpose flour is not as strong as the American one, so apparently we need to add a little more to the recipe. Adapting American recipes can sometimes not always work as our ingredients differ. I am also interesting in making the pumpkin muffins. I lived in America for a few years and pumpkin pie was my favourite dessert ever! Many thanks,
Hi! The whole wheat flour should be the same and accessible from what I understand. I’m using U.S. measurements so be sure to convert to metric, unless you have U.S. cups handy. Since you lived int America, you should be familiar. I hope this helps :)
I have been reading your blog for many years and have enjoyed so many of your recipes, so I was happy to hear about your growing family. Sending you my best wishes to you and your upcoming baby! While I am not a big drinker, I thoroughly enjoyed your mocktail suggestions – I am looking forward to trying some of them out this summer!