20 Summer Cocktail Recipes

As warmer weather sets in, this list of top twenty summer cocktail recipes will keep you cool and refreshed all season long — perfect for parties or a relaxing day!

salty dog cocktail in a glass

On a relaxing summer day, you can typically find me spending time with my family near a beautiful Michigan lake with a refreshing drink in hand! There’s nothing quite like enjoying a light, cooling drink while you’re soaking up sunshine.

5-Ingredient Sangria recipe

When it comes to cocktail recipes, there are many drink ideas out there. Some of the most popular types of alcohol in cocktails are champagne, vodka, rum, sangria, tequila and wine. You can find ingredients like carbonated water, ginger beer, sweet syrup, fruit juices and fresh herbs in cocktails. This New Orleans Hurricane Cocktail, for example, boasts passion fruit juice, orange juice, grenadine, light and dark rum.

New Orleans Hurricane Cocktail in a glass

Get Creative with These Summer Cocktail Recipes

You can also add fruit to a cocktail for extra flavor. Many cocktail recipes incorporate fresh fruits like watermelon, berries, citrus, apple and more. It’s common to see chunks of apples and pears in sangria, for example (one of my personal favorites)!

To add fruit to a cocktail, you can muddle the fruits to release their juices and use a cocktail shaker to shake the fresh ingredients together. You can also dress up your drink and add fruit to the rim as a garnish like these lime wheels in this Spicy Jalapeno Margarita.

Image of jalapeno margarita

It might feel daunting to find the right drinks for entertaining or planning your next summer date night. In this post, I’ve made it easy for you and I’ve rounded up my top twenty all-time favorite summer cocktail recipes below.

Is sangria your style or are you always up for a skinny margarita? From mojitos and moscow mules to everything in between, I’ve got you covered when it comes to refreshing summer cocktails.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most popular cocktail in the world?

The margarita is the most popular cocktail in 115 countries, according to The Spirits Business.

When it comes to margaritas, what’s the best type of tequila to use?

I like to use any brand of silver tequila, however, feel free to use what you have on hand or what you prefer!

Why is a Moscow mule served in a copper cup?

There are a few answers to this question. Copper mugs become cool when sipped, which makes a Moscow Mule perfect for summer. It also intensifies the fizziness. Many also believe the popular drink is served in a copper cup as a result of the drink’s history.

What’s the best way to make a non-alcoholic drink?

To make mocktails and virgin drinks, you can typically replace the alcohol with a flavored mixer like ginger ale, ginger beer, club soda or tonic water.

Liz holding summer cocktail

Feeling ready to get the party started? Here are my twenty most popular summer cocktail recipes for you to enjoy all summer long!

5 Ingredient Spanish Sangria

4.24 stars average
10 minutes
Using just 5 simple ingredients, this fresh and fruity sangria recipe is ideal for entertaining and perfect for making ahead of time.
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Spanish Sangria

Blackberry Ginger Smash

5 stars average
5 minutes
Ideal for entertaining, this refreshing non-alcoholic Blackberry Ginger Smash is made with muddled blackberries, lemon, ginger beer and fresh thyme.
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Blackberry Ginger Smash HR

Caribbean Rum Punch Cocktail

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15 minutes
This fresh and fruity rum punch recipe is made with three types of fruit juice and coconut rum. Perfect for entertaining!
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Tropical Rum Punch Recipe

Classic Salty Dog Cocktail Recipe

4.67 stars average
5 minutes
This fresh and fruity vodka cocktail is made with grapefruit juice, lime juice, and a salt rim. Ideal for two or a crowd!
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Vodka and Grapefruit Juice

Classic Tom Collins

4 stars average
5 minutes
A classic gin cocktail, this Tom Collins recipe is made with fresh orange and lemon juice then topped with sparkling club soda. The ultimate party drink!
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Tom Collins Drink In Copper Mug

Frozen Cherry Lime Ricky

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15 minutes
Blending fresh or frozen fruit with a little ice and simple syrup, puts you well on your way to a healthier happy hour.
frozen cherry lime ricky

Spicy Grapefruit Paloma

4.67 stars average
10 minutes
This traditional Mexican cocktail made with fresh grapefruit juice and tequila is given a spicy kick from a chili-infused simple syrup. 
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Grapefruit paloma cocktail

Homemade Blueberry Vodka Lemonade

4.67 stars average
30 minutes
This light and refreshing blueberry flavored vodka lemonade is sweetened with blueberry syrup and made with a splash of fragrant orange blossom water.
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Blueberry Vodka Lemonade

Kir Royale

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5 minutes
The Kir Royale is a festive French cocktail made with sparkling wine topped with blackberry liquor such as Chambord.
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Kir Royale Recipe

Strawberry Moscow Mule Cocktail

5 stars average
10 minutes
A fresh and fruity spin on the classic Moscow Mule recipe, these strawberry mules are made with fresh berries, lime juice and mint.
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Strawberry Jalapeno Moscow Mules Recipe

Mango Margaritas

3.91 stars average
10 minutes
Sweet and tangy frozen mango margaritas are served with a chili lime salt rimmed glass. Every sip is sweet, sour, spicy and salty!
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Mango margarita

Mixed Berry Mojitos

5 stars
15 minutes
The ultimate easy cocktail recipe, these mixed berry mojitos are bright, refreshing and ideal for summer entertaining. 
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Mixed Berry Mojito Cocktail Recipe

New Orleans Hurricane Cocktail

4.60 stars average
5 minutes
The hurricane cocktail is a fruity rum punch made famous in New Orleans. The ultimate crowd-pleasing cocktail recipe!
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new orleans hurricane cocktail

Orange Blossom Citrus Mojitos

4.67 stars average
5 minutes
Perfect for warm weather sipping, these orange blossom citrus mojitos are a refreshing new twist on the classic mojito.
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Golden Nugget Citrsu Mojitos - The Lemon Bowl

Orange Ginger Spritzer

4.67 stars average
5 minutes
Made with fresh orange and lemon juice, this ginger-infused non-alcoholic drink is ideal for warm weather entertaining. Add prosecco to turn into a fruity cocktail.
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Orange Ginger Spritzer - a fruity non-alcoholic drink recipe

Raspberry Ginger Bellini

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5 minutes
A simple, refreshing cocktail made with fresh raspberry ginger sorbet and bubbly prosecco. Ideal for entertaining a crowd or a casual date night for two.
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Raspberry Ginger Bellini by The Lemon Bowl

Raspberry Peach Frozen Sangria

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5 minutes
Frozen raspberry peach sangria slushees are the ultimate drink for one, two or a crowd. Ideal for any frozen fruit you have on hand!
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Peach Raspberry Sangria Slushees Recipe

Skinny Orange Margarita Cocktail

5 stars
10 minutes
Made with freshly squeezed citrus juice, silver tequila, and sparkling water, this low carb skinny orange margarita recipe is refreshing, and not too sweet.
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Low Calorie Margarita

Strawberry Mojito

5 stars
5 minutes
Perfect for entertaining, these strawberry mojitos are fresh and fruity.
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Strawberry Mojito -an easy cocktail recipe

White Wine Ginger Beer Sangria

4.71 stars average
15 minutes
This sparkling white wine sangria is made with ginger beer and three types of citrus juice. This recipe is ideal for entertaining a crowd!
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White wine ginger beer sangria

Your straw is waiting.

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