You know what summer means: spending as much time as you can outside, ideally near a pool or the beach. There is something for every mood, celebration, and holiday this summer, from ice drinks to frosty margaritas and tropical mixed cocktails. With these 35 must-have summer drinks, welcome back the nice weather and sunshine.
Since the summer days are so long, you can find yourself drinking throughout the day and well into the night. Try one of our suggestions for lower ABV drinks so you may continue to sip from brunch until after dinner if you don’t want to run the risk of going overboard (or, like us, getting sleepy early). First off, to make a beverage extra fizzy and keep us hydrated, we adore adding seltzer.
Try our red wine sangria, strawberry jalapeno mint julep, or bittersweet Aperol spritz—both of which benefit greatly from the addition of soda water. Alternatively, you might try our ranch water cocktail, which is essentially a tequila soda with lime and Cointreau to make it taste less sweet like a margarita. Making your beverage savory rather than sweet is the second strategy we’ll use. A sweet drink is very simple to consume quickly, but when you add some umami (salty) elements, it becomes something to appreciate. Try our beer-based Micheladas, which contain a hidden soy sauce ingredient, or our taco-themed Bloody Marys, which come with optional small tacos.
There’s nothing better than a frozen cocktail when it’s hot outside, even if we have been known to sip on something frosty and frigid in the dead of winter (hello, Jack Frosties). Here, we’ve included a few of our favorites. Of course, there are frozen margaritas, but there are also variations on the traditional, including frozen strawberry, watermelon, and sangria margaritas.
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Margarita de Peach
There are many ways to add fruit to a beverage, including by steeping actual fruit in the alcohol or by producing syrup with berries or fruit juice. In this instance, peach puree and peach schnapps were used to make a margarita that was jam-packed with a peachy flavor.
Strawberry Mint Julep with Jalapenos
Make these mint juleps any time of the summer; Derby Day isn’t the only occasion. If you enjoy spicy drinks, you’ll be able to manage the heat here because the jalapeno-infused simple syrup cools down as it comes into contact with the cool mint and sweet berries.
Runaway Rum
Rum-running, the notorious activity of transporting alcoholic beverages over state lines during Prohibition, serves as the inspiration for this traditional tropical concoction. This cocktail is ideal for a warm day because it contains not just one but two different types of rum and is balanced by the addition of fruity liqueurs and fresh juice.
Water Ranch
Tequila, lime juice, and seltzer are the only ingredients needed for Ranch Water, a sort of fizzy, less-sweet variation on a margarita. (Preferably Topo Chico; some contend that a Ranch Water without it isn’t truly one.) For a little extra sweetness and citrus flavor, we enjoy drizzling Cointreau or another orange liqueur in small amounts.
Margaritas with frozen strawberries
With frozen strawberries, this fruity margarita tastes its finest and doesn’t dilute. Other fresh herbs, such as mint or even cilantro, can intensify the flavor of this cheery cocktail. We especially enjoy adding fresh basil for a sweet, anise-like flavor.
Michelada
You’re in for a treat if you’ve never eaten a Michelada. Hot sauce and lime juice give your regular light beer a spicy/sour kick that elevates it to greatness. There is also a tinge of umami flavor, which keeps you going back for more, thanks to our secret ingredient (soy sauce!).
Coconut Limeade with Spice
To make this cocktail, we created an oleo saccharum, which releases the exquisite concentrated taste found in citrus skins. Let me explain: while citrus peels are left at room temperature, granulated sugar extracts the delicious essential oils from them. We enjoy seeing the sugar turn into a lovely syrup that can be used to flavor cocktails, pastries, or seltzer.
Shark Attack
If Shark Week serves as your equivalent of Christmas, then think of it as our gift to you. Make sure to fully freeze the “lifesaver” by preparing it well in advance. The waves of foamy white material will form as it melts, adding extra creaminess to the punch.
Frosé strawberry
To enjoy frosé, you don’t need to go to a bar. Making it yourself is quite simple if you have a good blender. Strawberries are the most popular addition. They provide the summer cocktail with the ideal amount of sweetness and body.
Fuzzy Navel
Although the name may not be the best choice, the beverage is far better than it sounds. A cocktail made with orange juice and peach schnapps is ideal for escaping into complete ecstasy. You’ll have the impression that you are on a beach and that everything will be OK.
