47 Summer Cocktails to Put You in a Sunny Mood
No single spirit has a hold on summertime. Great summer cocktails can start with gin, rum, vodka, or tequila (or in the case of the Long Island Iced Tea, all of the above). Sure, whiskey can come out to play too. And plenty of our favorite summer sippers are low in alcohol, with just a touch of sherry or a splash of Aperol, or totally free of booze. Anything goes, really, as long as the drink is cooling and fun to sip (Sea Breeze, anyone?).
Below you’ll find our essential summer drinks, including simple highballs, flavor-packed slushies, big-batch pitcher cocktails, and plenty of tipples that make the most of ripe fruit. These fresh (and occasionally bubbly) summer cocktails are meant for warm weather. So whether you’re in search of a classic daiquiri (or a frozen one) or something fresh and new (hello, avocado margarita), stock your freezer with ice and get scrolling before your next backyard gathering.
Specifically looking for low-alcohol cocktails? Take a spin through our cocktail ABV calculator.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne1/47Our Favorite Aperol Spritz
The ultimate summer cocktail might be a spritz sipped in an Italian piazza, but a really good spritz at home is a pretty decent runner-up. This version is a little lighter on the orangey aperitif for extra refreshment. Serve with salty snacks like potato chips or olives.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton2/47
Rosie Ranch Water
If you’re on the hunt for easy summer cocktails, it doesn’t get much simpler than Texas ranch water. Once you’ve got the basic formula down, add your own flourishes. (The spicy salt on this guy is truly fabulous.)
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton3/47
Sangria
Any summertime dinner can be improved with a pitcher of sangria. This classic one uses red, not white wine (if you’re looking for a blonde version, try this one from José Andrés). Seek out superfine granulated sugar for this recipe, which dissolves quickly in the wine and liqueur.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton4/47
Frozen Watermelon Margarita
The best way to cool down this summer isn’t with a dip in the pool: It’s with a sip of this pretty frozen watermelon margarita.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich5/47
Pimm’s Cup
This simple, low-alcohol summertime cocktail only needs two ingredients: fragrant Pimm’s liqueur and ginger ale or ginger beer. Garnish the glasses with sliced cucumber and fresh mint leaves.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton6/47
Tequila Sunrise
Boost your spirits with sunshine in a cup, a colorful mainstay of tropical resorts, beach barbecues, and ’70s rock stars: the classic tequila sunrise.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo7/47
Long Island Iced Tea
Gin, vodka, rum, and tequila, all in one drink? It’s none other than the Long Island Iced Tea, the original party drink of the season. In addition to the basic recipe, we’ve included a few variations on this classic: Swap the cola for cranberry juice to make a Long Beach Iced Tea, or add whiskey to make a Texas Tea. Take it in any direction you’d like—just don’t forget to hydrate.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne8/47
Piña Colada
With its winning combination of coconut, pineapple juice, and rum, this piña colada recipe is creamy, just sweet enough, and utterly refreshing. Blend a batch at home and pretend you’re on a beach somewhere.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Haubert9/47
The Ultimate Paloma
Move over, frosé: the Paloma is the blush-hued drink of the summer. A truly great Paloma layers on the grapefruit flavors—zingy grapefruit soda (preferably Ting) makes up most of the drink, but a squeeze of fresh grapefruit juice brightens the mix and deepens its citrusy character.
- Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Tiffany Schleigh10/47
Mai Tai
People have thrown all manner of things into a mai tai, but this recipe is legit: a rum sour made with lime, an orange liqueur, and orgeat—the fragrant almond cocktail syrup. You’ll need two rums here to make this classic cocktail really shine: one grassy, fresh rhum agricole, and another rum that's been aged in barrels.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Kat Boytsova11/47
Frozen Boozy Arnold Palmer
Transform the classic iced tea–lemonade combo into a refreshing frozen cocktail for summer. Freezing the tea and lemonade into ice cubes before blending is an easy way to keep the flavors concentrated.
- Photo & Food Styling by Joseph De Leo12/47
The Most Refreshing Gin and Tonic
The best gin and tonic is all in the technique, because the most important ingredient in a G&T is not really the gin, or even the tonic. It’s carbonation.
- Photo & Food Styling by Joseph De Leo13/47
Frozen Gin and Tonic
What do you get when you take classic summer cocktails like the G&T and put them in an ice-filled blender? Well, a little adaptation is required, but once you skip the fizz (using tonic syrup instead of tonic water) you get one of the world's most refreshing summer drinks.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Susan Ottaviano14/47
Jam Session
Three ingredients. Low alcohol. This watermelon drink recipe could be your go-to this summer. To make things truly easy, pick up watermelon juice from a local juice bar.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Susan Ottaviano15/47
Mojito
For this adaptation of the classic Cuban cocktail, you don't need a muddler. Tear the mint, then stir with lime juice, sugar, white rum, and soda water.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Stevie Stewart16/47
Blackberry Margarita
This summer cocktail captures the feeling of fresh fruit juices running down your arms in the heat of July—without the sticky mess. In addition to imparting flavor, ripe blackberries dye this margarita a deep magenta hue.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton17/47
Bushwick Thirst Killer
Acid phosphate, a vintage soda shop ingredient, stands in for citrus juices in this twist on the Japanese Thirst Killer. Coconut water keeps it hydrating, while club soda adds a touch of fizz to this spritzer.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne18/47
Frozen Margarita
Customize a batch of these frozen cocktails however you choose: Add frozen strawberries, peaches, or sliced jalapeños. There are enough possibilities to riff all summer long.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Sean Dooley19/47
Amaretto Sour
The amaretto sour is ready for its redemption tour, and this frothy-sweet-sour cocktail recipe proves that the drink has a swanky side.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Haubert20/47
Amethyst Sour
This bright, refreshing twist on an old-fashioned whiskey sour adds fresh blueberry syrup to the equation. It’s a great way to use that farmers market carton.
- Photo by Paul H. Christian, Food Styling by Michele Figliuolo21/47
Mint Julep
When you really need a mountain of crushed ice, this fragrant take on the classic minty bourbon drink hits the spot.
- Photo by Eric Medsker23/47
Cynar-Berry Spritz
There’s much more to the world of spritzes than Aperol. Cynar makes a bolder, more bitter, and more complex spritz, perfect for sipping with a charcuterie platter.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Haubert24/47
The Classic Margarita
This classic margarita recipe is simple enough to memorize—just two parts good tequila, one part Cointreau, and one part freshly-squeezed lime, then shake, shake, shake.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton25/47
Amaretto Sour Slushy
Yes, this slushy has the fragrant almond flavor you might recall from many too-sweet drinks of your youth, but it’s also truly tart and fresh. And there’s an added twist: It’s served with an optional float of bracingly bitter Fernet Branca, which gives the drink a blast of herbal flavor that pairs remarkably well with the almond liqueur.
- Photo by Eric Medsker26/47
Apercot Spritz
Celebrate stone fruit season with this easy, fragrant spritz made with apricot nectar. It can easily be made non-alcoholic, too: Omit the Aperol and prosecco and double down on the apricot nectar and soda water.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton27/47
Frozen Rosalita
A margarita is usually sweetened with orange liqueur, but the Rosalita uses bittersweet amaro for added complexity. Freeze the combo first to get it nice and chilled before it heads to the blender with a big scoop of ice. In search of more frozen drink tips? We’ve got you.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton28/47
3-Ingredient Grilled Orange Margarita
Grilled oranges infuse this refreshing summer cocktail with slightly sweet, slightly bitter notes and smoky flavor, balanced by bright lime juice and aged tequila.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Kate Schmidt29/47
Spiked Ginger-Lemonade Soda Can Cocktail
Served in a can of ginger beer, this tart, pleasantly bitter drink is as well-balanced as a complex cocktail, but refreshingly easy to put together.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton30/47
Sherry Colada
Looking for lower-alcohol options for hot days and many hours of barbecuing? This sherry colada packs complex flavor, but hovers at just 5% ABV.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Katherine Sacks31/47
Frozen Pineapple Mojito
Pineapple cups make a fun presentation for this frosty cocktail, but if you're short on time, just use regular cocktail glasses instead.
- Photo by Ed Anderson32/47
Cucumber Cilantro Margarita
If you love savory cocktails, try dressing your margarita with muddled cucumber and cilantro. Next question: what kind of tacos are you making?
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton33/47
Frozen Moscow Mule
This version of the popular vodka cocktail skips the ginger beer and heads to the blender for a spicy, frozen drink that’s even more refreshing on humid days. Want a classic Moscow Mule? We’ve got that too.
- Photo by Kelly Puleio34/47
Perfect Circle
Make your summer dinner party easier by mixing drinks for everyone in one big batch. This simple combination of bittersweet Campari and refreshing fino sherry will quench your thirst.
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Classic Michelada
Though this shares some flavors with a Bloody Mary, it requires much less effort to make. This simple, tomato-based beer cocktail works at brunch or the beach.
- Photo by Paul H. Christian, Food Styling by Michele Figliuolo36/47
Strawberry, Grapefruit, and Chamomile Brunch Punch
This grapefruit, strawberry, and chamomile tea punch may seem delicate, but with a few cups of bourbon, it packs a wallop—so go slow.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton37/47
Frozen Mango Margarita
Frozen margaritas, but make them mango. If you can't find ripe mangoes, add a bit of extra sugar to sweeten these slushies.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne38/47
Jungle Bird
This tiki cocktail is unique in that it features Campari. The bittersweet liqueur provides a strong backbone for the otherwise fruity rum-and-pineapple drink.
- Photo by Kelly Puleio39/47
Parson’s Negroni Slushy
Nothing wrong with a classic Negroni in summer, but you might want to try this version: a refreshing frozen drink that's juicy, citrusy, and perfectly bittersweet. Stick your feet in a baby pool, put up the sun umbrella, and you're set for the afternoon.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Haubert40/47
Redheaded Saint
Why choose between tequila and mezcal when you can have both? Blanco tequila gives this blush-hued cocktail its body, while a splash of mezcal brings just enough smokiness.
- Photo by Zachary James Johnston41/47
Attitude Adjustment
This lightly carbonated spin on a daisy gets its fizz not from prosecco, but from Miller High Life (also known as the Champagne of beers).
- Photo by Gentl & Hyers42/47
Strawberry-Rhubarb Spritz
No, that gorgeous red hue doesn’t come from grenadine. Rhubarb syrup and muddled strawberries give this farmers-market-fresh cocktail its gorgeous ruby hue.
- Photo by Ray Kachatorian43/47
Tropic Like It's Hot
This tall, refreshing pineapple and tequila cocktail will spirit you away to the beach, even if you're just hosting happy hour on your front porch.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson44/47
Blackberry-Cucumber Mule
You don't need any liqueurs or vermouth for this easy, gingery summer cocktail. Just a bottle of gin or vodka, plus some berries, cucumber, and mint. If you don't have any blackberries on hand, try raspberries or strawberries.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich45/47
Classic Daiquiri
While you might hear the word daiquiri and think first of the fruity, slushy strawberry concoction you had once at a tropical hotel, this version of the drink is more in line with the ones bar-goers would’ve been sipping in Cuba in the 1890s. The quintessential rum cocktail contains just three ingredients: light rum, simple syrup, and fresh lime juice.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Drew Aichele46/47
Player Piano
Cap off a long summer day with a round of these floral aperitifs. The equal-parts formula is mercifully easy to remember: Simply combine an equal split of Aperol, elderflower liqueur, lime juice, and rhum agricole, plus a boost of tiki bitters.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Stevie Stewart47/47
Avocado Margarita
To make the ultimate creamy margarita, just add avocado. It’s one of our newest summer cocktail recipes on Epicurious—and it’ll have all your guests gushing.
Maggie Hoffman
Maggie Hoffman
Maggie Hoffman
Jarrett Melendez
Al Sotack
Noah Kaufman