Our Favorite Fast & Fresh Summer Drinks

This refreshing watermelon cocktail is a pure taste of summer. For a nonalcoholic version, skip the tequila and add a little water to help blend the mixture.

Recipe: The Party Starter (Watermelon Tequila Cocktail)

This refreshing drink has all the makings of a signature party cocktail. It can be adjusted to taste (using light rum instead of the gin will tilt it toward a mojito). And the pitcher-size format means more time with guests rather than shaking drinks.

Recipe: Raspberry, Cucumber, and Mint Smash

Prickly pear and grapefruit juice work well to complement a good tequila in this desert thirst quencher.

Recipe: Fritz’s Sonoran Sunset

Smoky and slightly fruity, this cocktail has loads of complexity.

Recipe: The Black Seed

Nice and tart, this makes a perfect thirst quencher on a hot day.

Recipe: Berry-Lime Water

Similar to sangria, this bubbly beverage is sure to please.

Recipe: St-Germain Fizzy

Like a mojito with a creamy pear texture, this mocktail is a cool refresher for summer evenings.

Recipe: Pear Tree

We take the lemon to a whole new level in this version of the lemondrop.

Recipe: Frosty Lemon Martini

The idea here is to give a distinct but light flavor. The sage adds a nice herbal touch without overwhelming the berries.

Recipe: Blackberry-Sage Water

Celery and herbs in a cocktail? Trust us on this one–it’s tasty and oh-so refreshing on a hot day.

Recipe: Green Gin Cocktail

Add 1 tbsp. summer berry jam, 1/2 tsp. chopped rosemary, 1 tbsp. sweet vermouth, and 1/4 cup rye to an ice-filled pint glass. Cover, shake, and strain.

Grenadine adds a pretty coral tinge to this easy mix of guava, lime, and rum.

Recipe: Guava-Lime Coolers

Using a wooden spoon, muddle 3 peeled peach wedges in a rocks glass with 1 tbsp. brown sugar, a splash of bitters, and ice until fruit is broken up. Pour in 1/4 cup rye and stir.

Using watermelon in this traditionally tropical-flavored drink is a stroke of summery genius.

Recipe: Watermelon Daiquiri

Beer cocktails like shandys and black velvets have made a comeback in bars, but these summer refreshers are just as easy to make at home. From left to right:

Lemon Top. 4 parts ale and 1 part lemonade to top off.

Black Velvet. 1 part stout and 1 part sparkling wine.

Michelada. Mexican beer, a squeeze of lime, salt for rim, and 1 shot of tequila per drink.

Lunchbox. 4 parts hefeweizen, 1 part orange juice, and 1 shot of amaretto per drink.

Shandygaff. 1 part ginger beer and 1 part lager.

Creamy lime with a frothy top makes an elegant offering to any summer gathering.

Recipe: Pisco Sour

The idea behind this drink (pictured second from left) is to give a distinct but light flavor to water—so it’s truly refreshing, rather than sweet and intense like soda.

Recipe: Pineapple-Mint Water

Not too sweet, this blue blended cocktail is a fun and unusual way to get the conversation started.

Recipe: Blue Moon Cocktail

Using a wooden spoon, muddle a handful of fresh tarragon with ice and a splash of simple syrup in a rocks glass. Pour in 1/3 cup rye, stir, and top with a splash of club soda.

This gorgeous mix of sparkling juices served in a martini glass does the trick when you want to feel festive. Blood oranges give them their great color.

Recipe: Citrus Kiss

Tangy and sweet, this drink pairs well with our luau, but is also good sipped solo. You’ll need 6 cocktail skewers.

Recipe: Pineapple Drops

Serve this succulent summer martini with freshly shucked oysters and warm olive bread smeared with a soft blue or gorgonzola cheese.

Recipe: Peach Martini with Chiles from the Garden

This garden-fresh cocktail makes a delicious pairing of citrus and herbs.

Recipe: Lemon–Thyme Pimm’s Cooler

Blended raspberries and tequila make a terrific variation to the usual daiquiri.

Recipe: Raspberry “Sangre” Margaritas

The classic gin drink, negronis are a nice match with Italian inspired appetizers.

Recipe: Negroni

Sip this berry- and citrus-infused drink by the pool and smile.

Recipe: Italian Raspberry Cocktail

Mix together 2 tbsp. lemon juice, 2 tbsp. simple syrup, ice, and 1/3 cup rye in a pint glass. Cover, shake, and pour into a tall glass; top with club soda.

Tarragon Bubble Fling
Serve with: Creamy Tarragon Shrimp Toasts

Mexican Berry Freeze
Serve with: Roasted, salted pepitas (pumpkin seeds)

Red, White, and Sparkling
Serve with: Manchego cheese and roasted piquillo or other red peppers on crackers

Strawberry Basil Rosé
Serve with: Green and/or black olives marinated in olive oil, lemon zest, and herbs

Simple Syrup

When temperatures rise, there’s nothing quite like a tart yet refreshing Lime Rickey.

Recipe: Lime Rickey

Add 1 tbsp. each fresh lime and lemon juice and 2 tbsp. simple syrup to an ice-filled pint glass. Add 1/4 cup rye. Cover, shake, and strain into a salt-rimmed cocktail glass.

Fresh raspberries give this sweet-tart quencher its vivid red hue. Set a pitcher of it on your table for instant color.

Recipe: Raspberry Lemonade

A few sips of this fruity shake and you’ll be transported straight to the tropics ― especially if you add the splash of optional rum.

Recipe: Pineapple Shake

A tall glass of this creamy, fruity drink will turn a hot day into a cool treat.

Recipe: Blueberry-Coconut Slush

Cookies and ice cream in one luscious package ― call it a drink or make it dessert!

Recipe: Grasshopper Milkshake

Chocolate lovers will swoon over this rich, fizzy treat. Give it a good mix in a cocktail shaker full of ice before serving for the ultimate cooling effect.

Recipe: Chocolate Fizz

Chef and restaurateur Amaryll Schwertner makes magical drinks out of ordinary fruits and vegetables. Cucumber and mint cool this one down, yogurt smooths it out, and seltzer water jazzes it up.

Recipe: Persian Carpet