Looking for easy summer cocktail recipes to cool off and unwind? This collection of refreshing and hassle-free cocktails is perfect for backyard barbecues or poolside lounging, guaranteed to transport you to a tropical paradise with every sip.

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Summer is here, and what better way to embrace the season than by indulging in a delightful cocktail (or non-alcoholic mocktail)?

Whether you’re planning a backyard gathering, a relaxing poolside retreat, or simply seeking a refreshing sip after a long day, we’ve got you covered. These easy summer cocktail recipes will quench your thirst and keep you cool all season long.

And what goes better with a cocktail than an irresistible appetizer? Try bacon wrapped dates, Mexicali dip, air fryer coconut shrimp, or crab rangoon dip.

If you’re looking for an alcohol-free mocktail, most of these cocktail recipes can easily be made into non-alcoholic beverages, although I do have a good collection of mocktail recipes for you to enjoy, too!

If the list below doesn’t quench your thirst, browse all of our beverage recipes where you’ll find recipes for smoothies, juices, and more.

Summer Cocktail Recipes

Frosé in a glass, garnished with a strawberry slice, surrounded by whole strawberries and ice cubes on a white surface.

Frosé

4.56 from 29 votes
Rosé wine blended with frozen strawberries is the ultimate summer refreshment!
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Two French 75 cocktails garnished with lemon twists.

French 75

5 from 2 votes
Bright and sunshiny, this lemon, gin, and sparkling wine cocktail is a classic for a good reason!
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An light orange aperol spritz in a wine glass garnished with orange peel cut into the shape of a star.

Aperol Spritz

5 from 6 votes
Another classic summer cocktail, an aperol spritz is slightly bitter, slightly sweet, and so very refreshing!
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A coupe glass filled with a light orange cocktail, with peaches and another glass in the background on a light pink surface.

Peach Bellini

No ratings yet
A peach Bellini is a refreshing sparkling cocktail made with sweet peach purée and bubbly prosecco (but we have simple swaps to make it a mocktail, too)!
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Two glasses of vodka lemonade garnished with orange wedges.

Vodka Lemonade

4.72 from 7 votes
Vodka lemonade is super easy to make and always a crowd pleaser! Ours has a special White Claw twist!
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Light red drink in a stemmed glass with raspberries nearby.

Raspberry Rosé Spritzer

5 from 1 vote
We love a spritzer in the summer and this raspberry rosé spritzer is refreshing, flavorful, and easy to make!
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Peach colored paloma cocktail on ice with a grapefruit and lime wedge.

Paloma Recipe – Spicy or Traditional

5 from 6 votes
Whether you like it sweet or spicy, this grapefruit tequila cocktail is perfect with tacos or nachos!
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White wine spritzer with berry ice cubes.

White Wine Spritzer with Berry Ice Cubes

5 from 2 votes
This refreshing white wine spritzer with berry ice cubes is the epitome of sweet sophistication for all your summer celebrations.
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Bright red cocktail garnished with a cherry and a lime wheel.

Bay Breeze Recipe

4.67 from 6 votes
If you love a fruity drink, this one is for you! Tart cranberry and sweet pineapple juice are perfectly paired in this refreshing cocktail!
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Beautiful cocktails made with gin and tonic water and lime.

Classic Gin and Tonic Recipe – tips to make the best!

5 from 2 votes
You can't go wrong with a classic gin and tonic! Try adding muddled cucumber for something different and unique!
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A glass of iced water garnished with cucumber slices and a sprig of mint, placed on a coaster with cucumber and lime slices in the background.

Cucumber Lime Cooler

No ratings yet
A cucumber lime cooler is pleasantly tart and refreshing. You can serve it as a mocktail or easily transform it into a cocktail.
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Two stemmed glasses with rose spritzers, garnished with strawberries.

Rosé Spritzer

4.67 from 3 votes
Another great spritzer, this rosé spritzer only needs two ingredients!
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Red iced beverage in a margarita glass.

Strawberry Margarita Punch

5 from 12 votes
If you like a sweeter drink, try this strawberry margarita punch!
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Three long stem wine glasses filled with frozen sangria, and topped with a fresh strawberry and orange slice. A paper straw is in each glass.

Frozen Sangria Slushie

4.67 from 3 votes
I honestly like this cocktail better than traditional sangria because you don't have to fish fruit out of your glass after you drink the sangria!
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Overhead view of watermelon slushie garnished with lime and mint.

Watermelon Slushie

5 from 2 votes
This watermelon slushie is an easy summer refresher perfect for hot, humid days. Made with just a handful of ingredients, it can be made with or without alcohol.
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A tall glass of mojito milkshake topped with whipped cream and a mint leaf, with a pink straw. Beside it are a lime half, mint sprigs, and a purple-striped straw.

Mojito Milkshake

5 from 3 votes
A mash-up between a cocktail and a milkshake, this mojito milkshake is the ultimate summer refresher!
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Close up view of a pink lemonade on ice, garnished with berries and fresh mint.

Sparkling Pink Lemonade (with cocktail option!)

4.50 from 4 votes
Whether you make this one a cocktail or a mocktail, you're sure to be satisfied and refreshed!
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Glass of raspberry beverage with ice, a lemon slice, raspberry, and fresh basil on top, placed on a white coaster with lemon slices and basil leaves in the background.

Raspberry Basil Smash

No ratings yet
A raspberry basil smash is the light, refreshing mocktail (or cocktail) every summer menu needs! It’s perfectly balanced with sweet berries, bright lemon, and a hint of herbaceous basil.
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Two light pinkish red cocktails garnished with blood oranges, on a tray.

Blood Orange Martini

4.38 from 8 votes
The color of this cocktail is bright and fun, and the flavor is undeniably delicious!
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Pineapple margarita with chili rim.

Pineapple Margarita (or Mezcal Margarita)

5 from 2 votes
Shake up a refreshing homemade pineapple margarita for a refreshing change this summer. Try both options: with tequila or with smoky mezcal.
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A glass of orange beermosa garnished with an orange slice sits on a wooden table with sliced oranges and a pitcher in the background.

Beermosa

No ratings yet
A beermosa is a fun twist on a classic mimosa. This easy cocktail, made with wheat ale and orange juice, is a perfect cocktail for summer holidays, special celebrations, summer brunches, and more!
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Two cocktail glasses filled with pink cotton candy and a pink liquid, placed next to a bottle of Laurent-Perrier champagne on a pink surface.

Cotton Candy Cocktail

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Enjoy summer carnival fun with this easy cotton candy cocktail! You only need two ingredients: chilled sparkling wine and a fluffy cloud of cotton candy.
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A cookbook cover shows tacos, a jar of seasoning mix, and the title Weeknight Flavor Fix: 7 Seasoning Mixes to make cooking stress-free by Rachel Cooks.

7 Easy

Seasoning Mixes

plus grocery list, recipe ideas, & more!

FREE EBOOK!

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8 Comments

  1. Lihle says:

    I love to make cocktail

    Reply
    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      Same!

      Reply
  2. Bri | Bites of Bri says:

    Great roundup Rachel! I cannot wait to try some of these from each category.

    Reply
  3. Kate @ Diethood says:

    Goodness… everything sounds so good! And I LOOOVE that first photo! Wish I could start sippin’ on it!!
    Thank you for including my Spritzer!

    Reply
  4. Christy @ My Invisible Crown says:

    Love these!!! Such a great list and so many options. :)

    Reply
  5. Julia says:

    Great round-up! Saving this for some of our upcoming parties!

    Reply
  6. denise says:

    nice selection

    Reply
  7. Lauren at Keep It Sweet says:

    I seriously miss real cocktails but I love that there are so many non-alcoholic options!

    Reply