10+ Summer Cocktails Recipes to Chill You Out This Season

10+ Summer Cocktails Recipes to Chill You Out This Season

ByCook Fanatic Team Reading Time: 8 minutes

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy refreshing drinks that can elevate your outdoor gatherings. Whether you’re hosting a barbecue or relaxing by the pool, you want something tasty to sip on. This article will guide you through some exciting summer cocktail recipes that are sure to impress your friends and family.

A colorful array of summer cocktails arranged on a vibrant outdoor table, surrounded by fresh fruits, herbs, and decorative glassware

Get ready to explore a variety of flavorful combinations that highlight the best ingredients of the season. From fruity spritzers to classic favorites, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Indulge in the vibrant flavors of summer and discover new favorites that you can easily make at home.

1) Mai Tai

A tropical beach setting with a colorful tiki bar, fresh fruit, and a variety of cocktail ingredients displayed

The Mai Tai is a classic summer cocktail that’s sure to impress. It’s fruity, refreshing, and has a rich blend of flavors that make it perfect for warm days.

To make a Mai Tai, you’ll need light rum, dark rum, lime juice, and orgeat syrup. This cocktail can be customized to your taste by adding pineapple or orange juice.

Start by shaking the ingredients with ice until it’s nice and cold. Then, strain it into a glass filled with crushed ice. Garnish with a sprig of mint or a slice of lime for a beautiful finish.

Ingredients

  • 1 oz fresh lime juice
  • 1 oz light rum
  • 3/4 oz dark rum
  • 3/4 oz orgeat syrup
  • Crushed ice

Cooking Instructions

  1. In a cocktail shaker, add lime juice, light rum, and orgeat syrup.
  2. Fill with ice and shake well.
  3. Strain into a glass filled with crushed ice.
  4. Slowly pour dark rum on top.
  5. Garnish with mint or lime slice. Enjoy!

2) Mojito

A refreshing mojito cocktail served on a tropical beach with mint leaves and lime slices

The mojito is a refreshing cocktail perfect for summer. Its blend of mint, lime, and rum makes it an excellent choice for hot days. This classic Cuban drink is easy to make and tastes amazing.

To prepare your mojito, you will need fresh mint leaves, lime juice, simple syrup, rum, and club soda. You can customize the drink according to your taste.

Ingredients

  • Fresh mint leaves
  • 1 oz (30 ml) lime juice
  • 1 oz (30 ml) simple syrup
  • 2 oz (60 ml) white rum
  • Club soda
  • Ice

Cooking Instructions

  1. Muddle mint leaves with lime juice in a glass.
  2. Add simple syrup and rum.
  3. Fill the glass with ice.
  4. Top with club soda and stir gently.
  5. Garnish with a mint sprig or lime wedge. Enjoy!

3) Aperol Spritz

Aperol Spritz ingredients arranged on a wooden table with citrus fruits and ice

The Aperol Spritz is a refreshing Italian cocktail, perfect for summer days. Its bright orange color and sparkling taste make it a favorite at gatherings.

To make a classic Aperol Spritz, you need only three simple ingredients: Aperol, Prosecco, and club soda. You can mix them in equal parts for a balanced flavor.

Start with a glass full of ice. Pour in equal parts of Aperol and Prosecco, then top it off with a splash of club soda. You can also add a slice of orange for a nice touch.

Ingredients

  • 3 oz Prosecco
  • 2 oz Aperol
  • 1 oz club soda
  • Ice
  • Orange slice (optional)

Cooking Instructions

  1. Fill a glass with ice.
  2. Add 3 oz of Prosecco.
  3. Pour in 2 oz of Aperol.
  4. Top with 1 oz of club soda.
  5. Garnish with an orange slice, if desired.

4) Frozen Margarita

A glass pitcher filled with frozen margaritas surrounded by limes and salt on a sunlit patio table

A frozen margarita is a refreshing drink perfect for summer. It’s icy, tangy, and easy to make. You can enjoy it by the pool or at a backyard gathering with friends.

To make a classic frozen margarita, you need just a few ingredients. Gather your tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and ice. You can also add some simple syrup for sweetness if you like.

Ingredients

  • 2 oz tequila
  • 1 oz triple sec
  • 1 oz lime juice
  • 1 oz simple syrup (optional)
  • 2 cups ice

Cooking Instructions

  1. In a blender, combine tequila, triple sec, lime juice, simple syrup (if using), and ice.
  2. Blend until smooth and slushy.
  3. Pour into a chilled glass.
  4. Garnish with a lime wedge if desired.

5) Piña Colada with Amaro

A tropical beach setting with two colorful cocktails on a table, surrounded by palm trees and a beautiful sunset in the background

This twist on the classic Piña Colada adds a touch of bitterness with Amaro. The combination of rum, coconut cream, and pineapple makes it delightful. The Amaro brings in new flavors that elevate this summer favorite.

To make this drink, gather fresh ingredients. You’ll love the balance between sweet and bitter. It’s perfect for a sunny day by the pool.

Ingredients

  • 3 oz pineapple juice
  • 2 oz coconut cream
  • 1 1/2 oz rum
  • 2 oz Amaro
  • 1/2 oz lime juice
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup
  • Garnish: edible flower (optional)

Cooking Instructions

  1. In a shaker, combine pineapple juice, coconut cream, rum, Amaro, lime juice, and simple syrup.
  2. Fill the shaker with ice and shake well for about 15 seconds.
  3. Strain the mixture into a chilled glass.
  4. Garnish with an edible flower if desired. Enjoy your drink!

6) Tamarind-Mezcal Sour

A tamarind-mezcal sour cocktail sits on a rustic wooden table, garnished with a slice of lime and a sprig of fresh mint, with a backdrop of vibrant summer foliage

The Tamarind-Mezcal Sour is a delightful combination of flavors. You’ll enjoy the smoky taste of mezcal mixed with the tanginess of tamarind.

To prepare, start with mezcal as your base. It pairs nicely with tamarind puree, which adds a sweet and sour twist. The addition of lemon juice gives it a refreshing kick.

You can also use spicy bitters to enhance the flavor. Serve it in a glass rimmed with red chile salt for an extra touch.

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ oz Mezcal
  • ¾ oz Tamarind cocktail syrup
  • ¾ oz Lemon juice
  • 3 dashes of Spicy bitters
  • Red chile salt mix (for rimming the glass)

Cooking Instructions

  1. Rim a glass with red chile salt.
  2. In a shaker, add mezcal, tamarind syrup, lemon juice, and bitters.
  3. Shake well with ice until chilled.
  4. Strain into the prepared glass and enjoy!

7) Campari Mojito

A refreshing Campari Mojito being garnished with mint and lime on a sunlit patio table

The Campari Mojito is a refreshing twist on the classic Mojito. This cocktail combines the vibrant flavors of mint and lime with the unique bitterness of Campari. It’s perfect for summer gatherings or a relaxing evening.

Start by muddling fresh mint leaves with lime juice and sugar in a glass. This releases the mint’s aroma and flavor. Next, add white rum and Campari for that distinctive taste.

Top it off with crushed ice and tonic water for fizz. Garnish with extra mint leaves and lime wedges for a beautiful presentation.

Enjoy this delightful drink that balances sweetness and bitterness in every sip.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups fresh mint leaves, plus more for garnish
  • 1 cup lime juice
  • 1 cup white rum
  • 1.5 cups Campari
  • Crushed ice
  • 16 lime wedges
  • 3 to 4 cups tonic water

Cooking Instructions

  1. Muddle mint leaves and lime juice with sugar in a glass.
  2. Add white rum and Campari; stir well.
  3. Fill the glass with crushed ice.
  4. Top with tonic water.
  5. Garnish with mint leaves and lime wedges.

8) Bourbon Spritz

A table setting with a tall glass filled with a refreshing Bourbon Spritz cocktail, garnished with a slice of orange and a sprig of fresh mint, surrounded by ice cubes and a bottle of bourbon

The Bourbon Spritz is a refreshing cocktail perfect for warm summer days. It’s easy to make and combines the rich flavor of bourbon with bright citrus notes.

To start, you will need a wine glass filled with ice. Pour in your bourbon and add Aperol, fresh lemon juice, and a splash of simple syrup. Top it off with Prosecco for some bubbles.

For a garnish, use an orange peel or a slice. The combination of flavors in this drink is delightful and sure to impress.

Ingredients

  • 1.5 oz Bourbon Whiskey
  • 1 oz Aperol
  • 3/4 oz Lemon Juice
  • Prosecco (to top)
  • Simple Syrup (to taste)
  • Orange Peel (for garnish)

Cooking Instructions

  1. Fill a wine glass with ice.
  2. Add 1.5 oz of bourbon.
  3. Pour in 1 oz of Aperol and 3/4 oz of lemon juice.
  4. Add a splash of simple syrup.
  5. Top with Prosecco.
  6. Garnish with an orange peel. Enjoy!

9) Kentucky Mule

A rustic wooden table with a copper mug filled with a Kentucky Mule cocktail, garnished with a lime wedge and sprig of fresh mint, surrounded by crushed ice and ingredients like bourbon, ginger beer, and simple syrup

The Kentucky Mule is a refreshing cocktail that combines the rich flavor of bourbon with the spicy kick of ginger beer. It’s simple to make and perfect for summer gatherings.

To prepare, you’ll need a few basic ingredients. Start with good quality Kentucky bourbon, fresh lime juice, and some ginger beer. Serve it in a copper mug for the best experience.

Add ice cubes to the mug, then pour in 2 ounces of bourbon and 1/2 ounce of lime juice. Top it off with about 4 ounces of ginger beer. For a nice touch, garnish with a sprig of fresh mint and a lime wheel.

Ingredients

  • 2 oz (60 ml) Kentucky Bourbon
  • 1/2 oz (15 ml) Lime Juice
  • 4 oz (120 ml) Ginger Beer
  • Fresh Mint Sprig (for garnish)
  • Lime Wheel (for garnish)
  • Ice cubes

Cooking Instructions

  1. Fill a copper mug with ice cubes.
  2. Add bourbon and lime juice to the mug.
  3. Top with ginger beer.
  4. Garnish with a mint sprig and lime wheel.

10) Frozen Gin and Tonic

A tall glass filled with clear liquid, ice cubes, and a slice of lime, surrounded by fresh mint leaves and a scattering of juniper berries

This Frozen Gin and Tonic is perfect for hot summer days. It’s refreshing and easy to make, combining your favorite gin with tonic water, lime, and ice.

Start by preparing tonic water ice cubes. These add extra flavor and chill to your drink. Blend the cubes with gin, a splash of simple syrup, and a hint of lime juice until smooth.

Serve in a glass and garnish with a lime wedge or cucumber slices for a nice touch. This cocktail is sure to impress your friends at summer parties.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups gin
  • 1 cup tonic syrup
  • 1 cup tonic water ice cubes
  • 1/2 cup simple syrup
  • 1/4 cup lime juice
  • Lime wedges or cucumber slices for garnish

Cooking Instructions

  1. Make tonic water ice cubes and freeze.
  2. Add ice cubes to the blender.
  3. Pour in the gin, tonic syrup, simple syrup, and lime juice.
  4. Blend until smooth.
  5. Pour into glasses and garnish as desired.
  6. Enjoy!

Similar Posts