Summer Drinks and Cocktails

Photo by Iain Bagwell; written by Stephanie Dean, Elaine Johnson, and Amy Machnak

The Party Starter (Watermelon Tequila Cocktail)

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)

Thomas J. Story

Fritz's Sonoran Sunset

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

Recipe: Fritz's Sonoran Sunset

Photo by Annabelle Breakey; written by Stephanie Dean

Berry-Lime Water

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

Recipe: Berry-Lime Water

Rachel Weill

St-Germain Fizzy

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

Recipe: St-Germain Fizzy

Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Dan Becker

Pear Tree (Non-alcoholic)

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

Recipe: Pear Tree

James Carrier

Frosty Lemon Martini

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

Recipe: Frosty Lemon Martini

Photo by Annabelle Breakey; written by Stephanie Dean

Blackberry-Sage Water

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

Sunset-rita

Try our take on the classic cocktail, developed for Sunset's 2007 Celebration Weekend. This one starts out orange then fades slowly into tart, red pomegranate juice—clearly showing how it got its name.

Recipe: Sunset Margarita

Rachel Weill

Green Gin Cocktail

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

Photo by Jeffery Cross

Berry Manhattan

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.

Lisa Romerein

Guava-Lime Coolers

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

Recipe: Guava-Lime Coolers

Photo by Jeffery Cross

Peachy Old-Fashioned

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.

Thomas J. Story

The Pandora Elixir

Pandora, Avatar's lush 3D otherworld, is a forest paradise brimming with mysterious plants, flowers, and sentient trees.

In one scene, Neytiri gives Jake a round fruit that looks similar to our passion fruit, a key flavor in this juicy cocktail we created for the March 7, 2010 Oscar night parties.

We imagine if there were a bar on Pandora, this would be its signature drink.

Avatar martini recipe: The Pandora Elixir

Rachel Weill

Watermelon Daiquiri

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

Recipe: Watermelon Daiquiri

Jeffery Cross

Beer cocktails

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.

Leigh Beisch

Pisco Sour

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

Recipe: Pisco Sour

Photo by Annabelle Breakey; written by Stephanie Dean

Pineapple-Mint Water

The idea here 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

James Carrier

Blue Moon Cocktail

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

Recipe: Blue Moon Cocktail

Photo by Jeffery Cross

Rye-jito

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.

Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Dan Becker

Citrus Kiss (Non-alcoholic)

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

Thayer Allyson Gowdy

Pineapple Drops

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

Lisa Romerein

Peach Martini with Chiles from the Garden

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

Rachel Weill

Lemon-Thyme Pimm's Cooler

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

Recipe: Lemon–Thyme Pimm’s Cooler

Leigh Beisch

Raspberry "Sangre" Margaritas

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

Recipe: Raspberry "Sangre" Margaritas

Negroni

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

Recipe: Negroni

Rachel Weill

Italian Raspberry Cocktail

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

Recipe: Italian Raspberry Cocktail

Photo by Jeffery Cross

Rock 'n' Rye Collins

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.

Annabelle Breakey

Wine cocktails

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

Lime Rickey

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

Recipe: Lime Rickey

Photo by Jeffery Cross

Rye-rita

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.

Photo by James Carrier

Raspberry Lemonade

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

Pineapple Shake

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

Photo by James Carrier

Blueberry-Coconut Slush

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

Recipe: Blueberry-Coconut Slush

Photo by James Carrier

Grasshopper Milkshake

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

Recipe: Grasshopper Milkshake

Photo by James Carrier

Chocolate Fizz

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

Photo by James Carrier

Persian Carpet

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

Fast & Fresh summer drinks

The Party Starter (Watermelon Tequila Cocktail)

Fritz's Sonoran Sunset

Berry-Lime Water

St-Germain Fizzy

Pear Tree (Non-alcoholic)

Frosty Lemon Martini

Blackberry-Sage Water

Sunset-rita

Green Gin Cocktail

Berry Manhattan

Guava-Lime Coolers

Peachy Old-Fashioned

The Pandora Elixir

Watermelon Daiquiri

Beer cocktails

Pisco Sour

Pineapple-Mint Water

Blue Moon Cocktail

Rye-jito

Citrus Kiss (Non-alcoholic)

Pineapple Drops

Peach Martini with Chiles from the Garden

Lemon-Thyme Pimm's Cooler

Raspberry "Sangre" Margaritas

Negroni

Italian Raspberry Cocktail

Rock 'n' Rye Collins

Wine cocktails

Lime Rickey

Rye-rita

Raspberry Lemonade

Pineapple Shake

Blueberry-Coconut Slush

Grasshopper Milkshake

Chocolate Fizz

Persian Carpet