These are the best 50+ cocktails for the Summer! From traditional margaritas and Moscow mules to sangrias and more! No matter your poison (I personally have a penchant for vodka or tequila!), there's something here for you!
When the Summer heat arrives, there's nothing like a thirst-quenching cocktail. Besides vodka, gin, tequila, bourbon or wine as the main ingredient, the second requirement for a cocktail fit for the Summer is that the taste is refreshing!
Now, just remember there's no better way to celebrate the heat of the summer than tasty fish tacos and refreshing drinks. Whether you're planning a taco bar or your next BBQ, nothing completes a summer meal like drinks. Don't forget to check out my top 40+ non-alcoholic summer drinks. It includes fresh aguas frescas, juices and mocktails. for when you need something a little less boozy.
Best Summer Cocktails (by type)
I've compiled my all of the best drinks for Summer season by type, so you can decide what cocktail mood you're in.
If you're at a loss where to begin, start with the classics: margaritas, Moscow mules, or mojitos. Or if you prefer to make a more unique cocktail recipe, try finding your next drink by the alcohol type!
- Summer Margaritas
- Summer Moscow Mules
- Summer Mojitos
- Summer Drinks with Vodka
- Summer Tequila Drinks
- Summer Wine Drinks
- Summer Gin Cocktails
- Summer Champagne Cocktails
- Summer Rum Cocktails
- Summer Bourbon Cocktails
Summer Margaritas
There's truly no Summer cocktail more iconic than the margarita. From skinny margaritas (classic or spicy) to frozen margaritas of all kinds.
3 Ingredient Skinny Margarita
This 3 ingredient Skinny Margarita is made with fresh lime and orange juice, and tequila for the most refreshing healthier margarita!
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Spicy Skinny Margarita
This Spicy Skinny Margarita Recipe is made with jalapeno, fresh lime and orange juice, and tequila for a refreshing twist on the healthier margarita!
Check out this recipe
Red Sangria Margarita
Fruity red wine sangria, a shot of tequila, some orange juice and lime juice. The best of both worlds: a cocktail and a sangria at the same exact time! The perfect summer cocktail for a BBQ.
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Frozen Blackberry Margaritas with Mint
Blackberries, fresh mint and limes blend for the best Frozen Blackberry Margaritas! Fruity, fresh and tart! Top these easy margaritas with a mint sugar rim.
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Sparkling Vodka Margarita
If you love the idea of a margarita but are not a tequila fan, this refreshing and simple Sparkling Vodka Margarita is for you!
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Summer Moscow Mules
Moscow mules are a Summer go-to, because they're so easy to make and refreshing! Whether it be a traditional Moscow mule with vodka, to a Tequila Mule or any alcohol in between, there's a mule recipe here for you!
the Best Mexican Mule (aka Tequila Mule)
This Mexican Mule (aka Tequila Mule) is the easiest cocktail containing tequila, ginger beer and fresh lime juice. This tequila drink is based on the class Moscow mule, tasting light, refreshing and citrusy!
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Grapefruit Rosemary Moscow Mule
This Grapefruit Rosemary Moscow Mule adds a winter twist to the traditional Moscow Mule by adding tangy freshly-squeezed grapefruit juice and rosemary. The spice of the ginger beer combined with the sweeter juice of the grapefruit makes it the perfect sip.
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Pineapple Rum Moscow Mule
Bubbly, refreshing and light ginger beer cocktail! This Pineapple Rum Moscow Mule is the easiest rum drink you need to make year-round. And only four ingredients!
Check out this recipe
Cherry Moscow Mule
A traditional Moscow mule lightened up with cherry jam. It’s tart, flavorful, and a fun use of extra cherries! Cherries, vodka, lime and ginger beer - what’s an easier (or better) combination than that? This vodka cherry cocktail is the perfect Summer cocktail!
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Refreshing Cucumber Moscow Mule
Cucumber Moscow Mule is a refreshing cocktail that can be enjoyed year round. Made with simple ingredients, make this mule in under 5 minutes.
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Summer Mojitos
Mojitos are a fruity and refreshing cocktail that are great for the Summer. Something about the bubbles of the soda water combined with fresh fruit and herbs (and of course an alcohol of choice!) that's ideal for sipping outside when it's hot out.
Fresh Watermelon Gin Mojito
Watermelon juice, muddled lime wedges and fresh mint. Fresh ingredients and gin add a spin to the classic cocktail. This Watermelon Gin Mojito is the perfect refreshing cocktail.
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Grapefruit Rosemary Mojito
This Grapefruit Rosemary Mojito is a seasonal twist to the traditional Mojito.
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Mojito Recipe
The Mojito (a Cuban classic) is a refreshing mix of rum, sugar, fresh lime juice, mint leaves, and bubbly club soda. Learn how to make a Mojito and enjoy this simple and delicious 5-minute cocktail all year long.
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Passion Fruit Mojito
Light and breezy this passion fruit mojito is an easy cocktail to make at home. With mint, passion fruit juice and rum this passion fruit mojito is a vacation in a glass. Discover the best recipe for an authentic passion fruit mojito.
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Summer Drinks with Vodka
Vodka is one of the most fit alcohols for the summer. First, it's one of the lowest calorie alcohol options, and second, because it goes with honestly everything!
Watermelon Blueberry Vodka Smash
This watermelon pitcher drink is easy, refreshing and delicious! Fresh watermelon juiced paired with blueberries and thyme for the best tasting vodka cocktail.
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Spiked Vodka Lemonade with Kiwi
Vodka and lemonade - what’s a better combination for a Summer cocktail? Fresh kiwi, homemade lemonade, lemon vodka, and sparkling lemon water. This perfect Summer drink tastes like spiked lemonade!
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Strawberry-Basil Vodka Cocktail
Fruity, light and refreshing! This Strawberry Basil Vodka Cocktail is an all-time favorite cocktail. Herbaceous and delicious, with a few natural ingredients.
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3 Ingredient Vodka Sour
This 3-Ingredient Vodka Sour relies on three simple, but powerful ingredients to bring you a super fresh cocktail to kick back with.
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Loquat Vodka Cocktail
This loquat cocktail is made with loquat syrup, lemon juice, vodka, and soda. It’s a refreshing summer-y cocktail, great for hot summer days!
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Cucumber Cocktail
This Cucumber Cocktail with Vodka and lemonade is the best drink to cool off with! Low in sugar & super tasty-the perfect cucumber cocktail!
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Summer Tequila Drinks
My favorite combination for the Summer is anything combined with tequila! We covered your classic margaritas above, but there's still so many options for using tequila when making a cocktail.
the Best Ranch Water Cocktail
Ranch Water is a delicious lighter, lower calorie tequila and Topo Chico cocktail. Three easy ingredients meant for the best cocktail!
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Tequila Sunrise Cocktail
This Tequila Sunrise Cocktail will have you beach ready by the time the sun comes up. It is easy to make and requires just 3 ingredients! I don’t know about you, but I daydream about
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Tangy and Sweet Watermelon Paloma Cocktail
There are plenty of easy summer cocktail recipe ideas. This watermelon paloma cocktail has to be one of the best. It’s a mouth-watering cocktail made with watermelon juice, tequila and citrus. Make a pitcher of this tangy and sweet paloma when the weather’s hot, and you want to sip something refresh…
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Ginger Carrot Juice Cocktail
This carrot juice cocktail is both light and refreshing and made with fresh ginger, tarragon and your choice of tequila or vodka!
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Frozen Strawberry Paloma
This Frozen Strawberry Paloma is the perfect blended summertime cocktail made with tequila, strawberries, grapefruit and lime!
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Summer Wine Drinks
The best thing about sangrias in the Summer is that they are so fresh and easy to make in advance! From champagne to rosé, red or white, sangria offers so many different varieties to choose from.
Red Wine Sangria
This classic Red Wine Sangria is the perfect pitcher cocktail recipe and the only one you’ll ever need! With only 5-ingredients, this red-wine sangria is boozy, fruity and simple! Perfect for entertaining!
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Rose Sangria with Berries
This easy rose sangria recipe is the perfect pitcher cocktail for the Spring or Summer. Enjoy for Easter, Mother’s Day Brunch, or your average night!
Serves 6-8.
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Refreshing Pina Colada White Sangria
Refreshing Pina Colada Sangria that is easy to make, with simple ingredients. One sip and you will feel that you are sitting on the beach!
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Refreshing Sangria Moscato with Rum
This Sangria Moscato is a refreshing take on white wine sangria, balancing the sweetness of Moscato with tart citrus and apple.
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Mango Passion Fruit Wine Slushy
This refreshing wine slushy cocktail is full of passion fruit and mango flavors. An easy cocktail recipe that’s a great slimmed down option.
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Summer Gin Cocktails
Gin has a light botanical flavor, and matches best with fresh fruit and herbs. This makes it the perfect contender for many summery cocktails!
Matcha Gin Fizz
This matcha cocktail is a riff off the typical gin fizz. A light, refreshing cocktail with an earthy matcha aftertaste! A healthy, low calorie cocktail option.
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Blueberry Gin Fizz
This Blueberry Gin Fizz is the perfectly refreshing summery twist on a classic, with bright blueberries and fresh mint.
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Aperol Gin Cocktail with Ginger Beer
This Aperol Gin Cocktail is crisp, refreshing, and beautifully balanced. The bitterness from the Aperol complements the sweet ginger beer and citrusy lime so well.
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Lillet & Gin cocktail
This Lillet and Gin Cocktail is so easy to make at home, and it’s such a pretty cocktail! It combines the flavors of Lillet Rosé and gin with a mix of lemon and lime.
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How to Make a Gin and Tonic
The Classic Gin and Tonic is a light, fresh, and easy 3-ingredient cocktail. Learn how to make a Gin and Tonic at home with this easy to follow recipe.
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Gin Spritzer (Strawberry Gin Cocktail)
This strawberry gin cocktail is stacked with fresh strawberry flavor, citrus, gin, and sparkling water. It’s light, fruity, and refreshing!
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Summer Bubbly Cocktails
Bubbly always tastes better in the summer heat. From a classic spritz or unique new ones, there's always bubbly cocktails. You don't need a special occasion to try one of these!
Basil Limoncello Spritz
Lemony limoncello with bubbly sweet prosecco, topped with club soda and paired with muddled basil. Light, herbaceous and refreshing. This Limoncello Spritz is the perfect simple Summer cocktail!
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Sparkling Rosé Aperol Spritz
Light, fruity and delicious. An Aperol Spritz variation for the books: sparkling rosé aperol spritz. Perfect for date night, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day Brunch, easy Spring cocktails.
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Classic Aperol Spritz
A bright and refreshing summertime cocktail made of four simple ingredients; Aperol, Prosecco, club soda and an orange slice!
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Homemade Hard Seltzer {White Claw Copycat recipe}
This homemade hard seltzer recipe is an easy way to save money on your favorite White Claws. This copycat recipe tastes just like the real ones!
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Frozen Aperol Spritz cocktail
The classic Italian cocktail is transformed into a slushy hot weather sipper. Frozen Aperol Spritz has the iconic flavors in a new refreshing form.
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Summer Rum Cocktails
Some of the most classic tropical summer drinks include rum. From piña coladas to daiquiris, there's something for every rum-lover here.
Pina Colada
This Pina Colada is an easy recipe full of refreshing tropical flavors along with tasty rum, coconut cream and pineapple juice.
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Exotic & Fruity Haitian Rum Punch - Tropical Haitian Cocktail Recipe
Exotic & Fruity Haitian Rum Punch - Tropical Haitian Cocktail Recipe - a popular Haitian drinks made of rum, orange liqueur and tropical fruit juices. A delicious fruity alcoholic drink.
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Malibu Sunset
Fruity cocktail that’s quick and easy to make! A Malibu Sunset cocktail is a delicious blend of pineapple and orange juice plus coconut rum and grenadine that’s layered to look like a sunset!
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Mai Tai Cocktail Recipe
A classic Mai Tai recipe is a strong cocktail, with a refreshing citrus and rum flavor that isn’t overly sweet.
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4-Ingredient Strawberry Daiquiri Recipe
This 4-Ingredient Strawberry Daiquiri recipe is a deliciously cold, refreshing blend of strawberries, lime, rum, and agave. Frozen berries make it extra good.
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Pineapple Rum Slush: a refreshing spiked pineapple slush!
This pineapple rum slush is the perfect quick cocktail for a crowd, or for a nice refreshing drink after winding down from a hot summer day.
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Summer Bourbon Cocktails
Or maybe you're interested in a bourbon or whiskey cocktail this summer? Combined with classics like the mint julep or Kentucky mule, or a tropical twist on bourbon, there's a whiskey drink you might like!
Tropical Aperol Bourbon Cocktail
This Aperol Bourbon Cocktail relies on tropical flavors and colors to bring you a super refreshing and fruity drink that tastes like a vacation in a glass.
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Classic Mint Julep
This mint julep recipe is simple, totally refreshing, and delicious! The signature cocktail of the Kentucky Derby is perfect for cooling off all summer. It’s ready in just 5 minutes! If you like refreshing cocktails,
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Blackberry Bourbon Smash Cocktail
Fresh blackberries are perfect for this bubbly, refreshing Blackberry Bourbon Smash Cocktail. It’s made with juicy blackberries, fresh lime + mint, and soda water that’s perfect for a hot summer day.
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Kentucky Mule
Make the best Kentucky Mule with lime, ginger & bourbon - and an extra ginger kick. Quick & easy to make and easy to prep for a crowd.
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This is such a comprehensive list! Can not wait to make my way through it! Cheers!