Summer has finally arrived, and what better way to beat the heat than with a refreshing glass of your favorite cocktail? As the sun shines bright and the days grow longer, there’s nothing quite like sipping on a cool drink to quench your thirst and bring a smile to your face. In this article, we’ll be sharing 18 mouth-watering and innovative recipes that are sure to become your go-to drinks for the season.
From classic mojitos to spicy margaritas, fruity sangrias to creamy martinis, our list has something for everyone. Whether you’re in the mood for a sweet treat or a tangy twist on a summer staple, we’ve got you covered with these 18 refreshing alcoholic drink recipes that are sure to make your summer one to remember.
Stay tuned for the full list of recipes and get ready to raise a glass to the sun-kissed days ahead!
Classic Mojito with Fresh Mint
Experience the refreshing essence of Cuba with this timeless cocktail, featuring the sweetness of mint and the crispness of rum.
Ingredients:
– 2 oz white rum
– 1 oz fresh lime juice
– 1 oz club soda
– Handful of ice
– Sprigs of fresh mint (about 4-6 leaves)
– Lime wedges (for garnish)
Instructions:
1. In a cocktail shaker, gently press the mint sprigs with a muddler or spoon to release their oils and flavor.
2. Add the lime juice and rum to the shaker. Fill with ice and shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds.
3. Strain the mixture into a highball glass filled with ice.
4. Top with club soda and stir gently.
5. Garnish with a lime wedge and additional mint sprigs, if desired.
Cooking Time: None! Just shake and serve.
Strawberry Daiquiri with Lime Zest
A refreshing twist on the classic cocktail, this Strawberry Daiquiri with Lime Zest combines sweet and tangy flavors for a perfect summer drink.
Ingredients:
– 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
– 1 cup white rum
– 1/2 cup simple syrup (equal parts water and granulated sugar, dissolved)
– Juice of 1 lime
– Lime zest, for garnish
– Ice
Instructions:
1. In a blender or food processor, puree the strawberries until smooth.
2. In a cocktail shaker, combine the strawberry puree, white rum, and simple syrup. Add ice to fill the shaker.
3. Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds to combine and chill the ingredients.
4. Strain the mixture into a chilled glass filled with ice.
5. Squeeze a sliver of lime zest over the drink and garnish with a lime wheel.
Cooking Time: None, as this is a cocktail recipe!
Spicy Margarita with Jalapeño Infusion
Elevate your margarita game with this spicy twist, infused with the bold flavor of jalapeños.
Ingredients:
– 2 oz tequila
– 1 oz fresh lime juice
– 1/2 oz triple sec
– 1/2 oz simple syrup
– 1-2 jalapeño peppers, sliced
– Salt for rimming glass (optional)
– Ice
– Lime wheel for garnish
Instructions:
1. In a cocktail shaker, combine tequila, lime juice, triple sec, and simple syrup.
2. Add the sliced jalapeños to the shaker and muddle gently with a spoon or bar tool to release their flavor and heat.
3. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for about 10-12 seconds.
4. Strain the mixture into a salt-rimmed glass (if desired) filled with ice.
5. Garnish with a lime wheel and serve immediately.
Cooking Time: None, as this is a cocktail recipe!
Blue Hawaiian with Coconut Cream
Create a refreshing Blue Hawaiian cocktail infused with the creamy richness of coconut cream.
Ingredients:
– 2 oz light rum
– 1 oz blue curaçao
– 1 oz coconut cream
– 4 oz pineapple juice
– Splash of grenadine (optional)
– Ice
Instructions:
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add the light rum, blue curaçao, and coconut cream to the shaker.
3. Shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds to combine and chill the ingredients.
4. Strain the mixture into a chilled glass filled with ice.
5. Top with pineapple juice and stir gently.
6. If desired, add a splash of grenadine for a subtle sweetness.
7. Garnish with a pineapple wedge or cherry, if preferred.
Cooking Time: 2-3 minutes (shaking time)
Piña Colada with Pineapple Chunks
Escape to a tropical paradise with this refreshing Piña Colada recipe, featuring chunks of juicy pineapple.
Ingredients:
– 2 cups pineapple juice
– 1 cup coconut cream
– 1/2 cup simple syrup (equal parts water and sugar, dissolved)
– 1/4 cup chopped fresh pineapple
– 1 1/2 ounces white rum (optional)
– Ice cubes
– Pineapple wedges and cherry halves for garnish
Instructions:
1. In a blender, combine pineapple juice, coconut cream, and simple syrup. Blend until smooth.
2. Add the chopped pineapple and blend until well combined.
3. Taste and adjust sweetness or thickness as needed.
4. If using rum, add 1 1/2 ounces to the mixture and blend.
5. Pour into glasses filled with ice and garnish with a pineapple wedge and cherry half.
Cooking Time: None! Blend and serve immediately.
Enjoy your Piña Colada with Pineapple Chunks!
Watermelon Sangria with Citrus Slices
Beat the heat with this refreshing summer drink that combines sweet watermelon, citrusy slices, and a hint of bubbly.
Ingredients:
– 2 cups watermelon chunks
– 1 cup white wine (dry)
– 1/4 cup orange juice
– 1/4 cup lemon-lime soda
– Slices of orange, lemon, and lime
– Sprigs of fresh mint leaves (optional)
Instructions:
1. In a large pitcher, combine watermelon chunks and white wine. Stir gently to combine.
2. Add orange juice and stir until well combined.
3. Chill mixture in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
4. Just before serving, add lemon-lime soda and stir gently.
5. Slice citrus fruits into thin rounds and add to pitcher.
6. Garnish with fresh mint leaves, if desired.
7. Serve chilled and enjoy!
Cooking Time: None (as it’s a refreshing drink!)
Cosmopolitan with Cranberry Juice
This refreshing cocktail combines the flavors of cranberry juice, vodka, lime, and triple sec for a unique twist on the classic Cosmopolitan.
Ingredients:
– 1.5 oz vodka
– 0.5 oz triple sec
– 0.5 oz cranberry juice
– Juice of 1 lime
– Lime wheel, for garnish
Instructions:
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add the vodka, triple sec, and cranberry juice to the shaker.
3. Squeeze in the lime juice and add the lime wheel as well.
4. Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds to combine and chill the ingredients.
5. Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass.
6. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Cooking Time: None, just shake and serve!
Espresso Martini with Coffee Liqueur
A twist on the classic martini, this Espresso Martini combines rich coffee liqueur with bold espresso for a sophisticated and energizing cocktail.
Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 ounces vodka
– 1/2 ounce coffee liqueur
– 1 shot espresso (about 1 ounce)
– 1/2 ounce heavy cream
– Sugar, to taste (optional)
Instructions:
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add the vodka, coffee liqueur, and espresso to the shaker.
3. Shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds to combine and chill the ingredients.
4. Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass.
5. Top with heavy cream, holding back the foam with a spoon if desired.
6. Add sugar to taste, if preferred.
Cooking Time: None (cocktail preparation only)
Enjoy your rich and revitalizing Espresso Martini with Coffee Liqueur!
Passion Fruit Caipirinha with Cachaça
Elevate your cocktail game with this exotic twist on the classic Caipirinha, featuring passion fruit and the spirit of Brazil – cachaça.
Ingredients:
– 2 oz cachaça
– 1 oz passion fruit puree
– 1 oz lime juice
– 1/2 oz sugar syrup (1:1 sugar and water)
– 3 oz club soda
– Lime wheel, for garnish
– Passion fruit seeds, for garnish
Instructions:
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add cachaça, passion fruit puree, lime juice, and sugar syrup.
3. Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds to combine and chill the ingredients.
4. Strain the mixture into a highball glass filled with ice.
5. Top with club soda.
6. Garnish with a lime wheel and passion fruit seeds.
Cooking Time: None! Just shake, strain, and serve.
Gin Fizz with Elderflower Syrup
Add a touch of floral elegance to your classic Gin Fizz with this refreshing twist. This recipe combines the crispness of gin, the sweetness of elderflower syrup, and the effervescence of soda water for a delightful summer drink.
Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 oz (45 ml) gin
– 3/4 oz (22.5 ml) elderflower syrup
– 1/2 oz (15 ml) freshly squeezed lime juice
– Splash of soda water
– Lime wheel, for garnish
Instructions:
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add the gin, elderflower syrup, and lime juice.
3. Shake vigorously for about 10-12 seconds to combine and chill the ingredients.
4. Strain the mixture into a chilled glass filled with ice.
5. Top with a splash of soda water.
6. Garnish with a lime wheel.
Cooking Time: None
Peach Bellini with Prosecco
Elevate your cocktail game with this refreshing and fruity twist on the classic Bellini, featuring juicy peaches and crisp Prosecco.
Ingredients:
– 1 ripe peach, diced
– 2 oz Prosecco
– 1/2 oz peach puree or peach syrup
– Splash of grenadine (optional)
– Club soda
– Fresh mint leaves for garnish
Instructions:
1. In a cocktail shaker, muddle the diced peaches with a spoon to release their natural juices.
2. Add the Prosecco and peach puree/syrup to the shaker.
3. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds.
4. Strain the mixture into a chilled flute glass filled with ice.
5. Top with a splash of grenadine, if desired, for a pop of color and flavor.
6. Top with club soda and garnish with fresh mint leaves.
Cooking Time: None!
Enjoy your delightful Peach Bellini with Prosecco!
Dark and Stormy with Ginger Beer
Soothe your senses with this refreshing twist on the classic Dark ‘n Stormy cocktail.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 ounces dark rum (such as Myers’s or Gosling’s)
- 4-6 ounces ginger beer
- Slice of lime, for garnish
- Ice cubes
Instructions:
- Fill a highball glass with ice cubes.
- Pour in the dark rum.
- Top off the glass with ginger beer. Stir gently to combine.
- Squeeze a slice of lime over the drink and drop it in for garnish.
Cooking Time: None (ready to serve!)
Enjoy your Dark ‘n Stormy with Ginger Beer!
Bloody Mary with Spicy Worcestershire Sauce
A twist on the classic cocktail, this Spicy Bloody Mary recipe adds a bold kick with spicy Worcestershire sauce.
Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 ounces vodka
– 1 1/2 ounces tomato juice
– 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
– 1/2 teaspoon spicy Worcestershire sauce (see note)
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
– 3 dashes hot sauce (such as Tabasco)
– 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or chives, for garnish
– Lime wedges, for serving
Instructions:
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, spicy Worcestershire sauce, and salt to the shaker.
3. Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds to combine and chill ingredients.
4. Strain into a highball glass filled with ice.
5. Add hot sauce and stir gently.
6. Garnish with chopped parsley or chives.
7. Serve with lime wedges on the side.
Cooking Time: None, as this is a cocktail!
Long Island Iced Tea with Triple Sec
A refreshing twist on the classic Long Island Iced Tea recipe, this version adds a hint of orange and sweetness from Triple Sec liqueur.
Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 oz vodka
– 1 1/2 oz gin
– 1 1/2 oz white rum
– 1 1/2 oz triple sec
– 1 1/2 oz tequila
– 1 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
– 1 oz simple syrup (equal parts water and granulated sugar, dissolved)
– Splash of cola
– Lemon wedges for garnish
Instructions:
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add vodka, gin, rum, triple sec, and tequila.
3. Squeeze in lemon juice and add simple syrup.
4. Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds to combine and chill ingredients.
5. Strain into a highball glass filled with ice.
6. Top with a splash of cola.
7. Garnish with a lemon wedge.
Cooking Time: None, just shake and serve!
White Russian with Cream and Vodka
A creamy and indulgent cocktail perfect for any occasion. This White Russian recipe combines the smoothness of cream with the boldness of vodka, creating a drink that’s sure to please.
Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 oz Vodka
– 4 oz Cream
– 1/2 oz Coffee Liqueur (such as Kahlúa)
– Ice
Instructions:
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add the vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream to the shaker.
3. Shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds to combine and chill the ingredients.
4. Strain the mixture into a chilled glass filled with ice.
5. Garnish with a coffee bean or whipped cream, if desired.
Cooking Time: None needed! This cocktail is ready in just a few minutes.
Manhattan with Bourbon and Sweet Vermouth
This classic cocktail gets a twist by substituting whiskey with bourbon and adding sweet vermouth for a deeper flavor profile.
Ingredients:
• 2 oz bourbon
• 1 oz sweet vermouth
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• Cherry garnish
Instructions:
1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
2. Add bourbon, sweet vermouth, and bitters.
3. Stir for approximately 20-25 seconds to chill and dilute the ingredients.
4. Strain into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass.
5. Garnish with a cherry.
Cooking Time: None (just mix and serve!)
Enjoy your Bourbon Manhattan with Sweet Vermouth!
Negroni with Campari and Orange Peel
Elevate the classic Negroni cocktail by adding a twist of orange peel and Campari’s unique bitter flavor.
Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 oz Gin
– 1/2 oz Campari
– 1/2 oz Sweet Vermouth
– Orange peel (thin strip)
– Ice
Instructions:
1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
2. Add gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth.
3. Stir for approximately 30 seconds to chill and combine the ingredients.
4. Express a thin strip of orange peel over the drink, using your fingers or a reamer to release its oils.
5. Place the peels on top of the cocktail as garnish.
Cooking Time: None (ready in 1-2 minutes)
French 75 with Champagne and Gin
Elevate your cocktail game with this classic French 75 recipe, featuring the perfect blend of Champagne and Gin.
Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 oz (45 ml) Gin
– 1/2 oz (15 ml) Fresh Lemon Juice
– 1/2 oz (15 ml) Simple Syrup (equal parts water and granulated sugar, dissolved)
– 4 oz (120 ml) Champagne
– Ice
– Lemon twist or wheel, for garnish
Instructions:
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add the Gin, Lemon Juice, and Simple Syrup to the shaker.
3. Shake vigorously for about 10-15 seconds to combine and chill the ingredients.
4. Strain the mixture into a Champagne flute or coupe glass.
5. Top with the chilled Champagne.
6. Garnish with a lemon twist or wheel.
Cooking Time: None (just mix and enjoy!)
Summary
Beat the heat this summer with these refreshing alcoholic drink recipes! From classic cocktails to fruity twists, we’ve got you covered. Try a Classic Mojito with fresh mint, a Strawberry Daiquiri with lime zest, or a Spicy Margarita with jalapeño infusion. Or, cool off with a Blue Hawaiian with coconut cream, Piña Colada with pineapple chunks, or Watermelon Sangria with citrus slices. With 18 recipes to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect drink to quench your thirst on a hot summer day.
