19 of the Best Cocktails to Make this Summer

Author Jaclyn Rooney

June 18th, 2021 10:18 AM

When the sun is shining and it’s summer, there is nothing better than holding a cold drink in your hand, especially after a 40+ hour workweek.

From fruity to frozen and everything in between, take a look below at some of the best summer cocktails we have put together for your enjoyment. Cheers to summer!

White Sangria
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2 ripe peaches, 1 green apple, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 bottle dry white wine, chilled, ⅓ cup brandy or Grand Marnier, 1 handful mint leaves, 1/2 lemon, sliced into rounds, and sparkling water, for serving (optional).
Strawberry Daiquiri
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3 limes, 1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced, 2 cups granulated sugar, 3 tablespoons (1 1/2 ounces) white rum, and fresh strawberry and lime wheel, for garnish.
Red Sangria
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1 orange, 1 green apple, 3 tablespoons sugar, 1 bottle dry red wine, chilled, ¼ cup brandy, ¼ cup orange liqueur, such as Cointreau, 1 lemon, sliced into rounds, and sparkling water, for serving (optional).
Watermelon-Tequila Cocktail
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1/4 cup water, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 8 cups diced seedless watermelon, 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, 1 3/4 cups blueberries, 3/4 cup lightly packed fresh mint leaves, plus 8 sprigs for garnish, 1 1/4 cups silver tequila, and ice.
Lemon-and-Lavender Gin Fizz
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1 1/2 ounces (3 tablespoons) citrusy-herbal gin (such as Leopold’s Summer Gin), 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon), 1 tablespoon simple syrup, 1 dash Scrappy’s Lavender Bitters, ice cubes 2 tablespoons club soda, 2 dashes Peychaud’s bitters, and lemon wheels, dried juniper berries, and fresh red rose petals.
Long Island Iced Tea
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½ ounce* vodka, ½ ounce tequila, ½ ounce white rum, ½ ounce gin, ½ ounce Cointreau (or other orange liqueur like Triple Sec), 1 ounce lemon juice, 3 ounces cola, for the garnish: lemon wedge, and ice, for serving.
Frozen Mudslide
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Ice cubes, 1 part Kahula, 1 part Absolute Vodka, 1 part Irish cream liqueur, 3 scoops vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce and chocolate shavings for garnish (optional).
Aperol Spritz
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2 ounces (4 tablespoons) Aperol, chilled, 3 ounces (6 tablespoons) Prosecco or other sparkling wine, chilled, 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) soda water, ice, and for the garnish, an orange wedge.
Frozen Piña Colada
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1 ½ cups frozen pineapple, 1 ½ cups ice, 5 ounces (½ cup plus 2 tablespoons) aged rum, 2 ounces (4 tablespoons) cream of coconut (not coconut cream, 4 ounces (½ cup) pineapple juice, 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) lime juice, and for the garnish, a cocktail cherry.
Sea Breeze Cocktail
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1 ounce (2 tablespoons) vodka, 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) grapefruit juice, 1 teaspoon maple syrup or simple syrup, 3 ounces (6 tablespoons) 100% unsweetened cranberry juice (not sweetened or cranberry cocktail), and 1 lime wedge.
Classic Mojito
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6 mint leaves, plus additional for garnish, 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) lime juice, 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) simple syrup or maple syrup, 2 ounces (4 tablespoons) white rum, and 4 ounces (½ cup) soda water.