I’m always on the hunt for some good cocktail recipes, and these fresh and fruity summer cocktails are all easy, refreshing, and flavorful! I have plenty of fruity alcoholic drinks to choose from, plus pitcher cocktails for a crowd, icy frozen cocktails, and lots of my favorite margaritas. There’s no better way to cool down on hot summer days than sipping on these drink recipes!

easy summer cocktails

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Best Cocktail Recipes for Summer

When summer rolls around and the temperatures start to rise, a good cocktail is the only thing that’s sure to cool me down! These easy summer cocktails are all so refreshing, and they’re nice and cold, so they’ll definitely quench your thirst.

Whether you prefer something classic like margaritas, something fruity like sangria, or something fun and unique, there’s lots of cocktail recipes here to make. Or try margarita popsicles or margarita slushies if you want an alcoholic treat that’s easy to consume by the pool.

Enjoy any of these summer-y alcoholic drinks on the patio with appetizers, at a cookout or barbecue, or after dinner. And if you’re hosting a party for 4th of July or any other summer holiday, there are lots of cocktails for a crowd you can make fast.

two glasses of aperol spritz
Aperol Spritz
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Good Cocktails for Hot Days

I always enjoy sipping on any of these cocktail recipes in the heat of summer. They’re all simple, delicious, and easy to make any time.

  • Aperol Spritz: This is the ideal cocktail for summer sundowners. Sip it before dinner with appetizers, or wind down after a long day.
  • Basil Mojitos: Vodka, lime, and basil make a super refreshing sip. These are so fun to serve with dinner on the patio!
  • Skinny Margaritas: Making a simple margarita is the perfect way to end a hot day. Don’t forget the chips and salsa!
  • Peach Frose: Frozen rose is a must for summer cocktail hour, and the addition of peaches makes it taste so bright and fruity.
  • Summer Shandy: Pink lemonade, light beer, and tequila makes the most delicious drink for warm days, parties, or any time you need an easy cocktail.
three-quarters view of 2 glasses of rose sangria in front of a pitcher.
Rose Sangria

The Most Refreshing Summer Cocktails

These fun cocktail drinks are so refreshing–they really hit the spot when it’s hot out. Sipping on these means you can enjoy your time outside all summer long!

  • Rose Sangria: Rose and sangria are two of the most refreshing cocktails–combine them, add lots of fresh fruit (like peaches and raspberries), and you have the best summer drink!
  • Sex on the Beach Cocktail: You only need 4 ingredients to make this fun cocktail. Perfect for sipping by the pool!
  • White Wine Margaritas: White wine, limeade, orange juice, and tequila make one delicious cocktail. It’s easy to make for a small group, just mix and pour!
  • Beer Margaritas: Beer plus margaritas makes a delicious summer drink that’s perfect for parties or game day.
two glasses with layered raspberry mango daiquiris
Raspberry Mango Daiquiris

Chill Out with these Frozen Cocktails

Icy, frozen, and blended cocktails are the quickest way to beat the heat of summer. These drink recipes really make me feel like I’m on vacay!

  • Raspberry Mango Daiquiris: The fruity mix of raspberry and mango is so sweet and refreshing in this white rum cocktail. Just blend everything up and serve!
  • Pina Coladas: The flavors of pineapple and coconut combine in this creamy tropical cocktail. It’s a classic that is just perfect when you want to feel like you’re on vacation!
  • Frozen Margarita: A classic frozen margarita is one of the best ways to quench your thirst and cool things down when it’s hot outside. You can’t go wrong with these!
  • Frozen Mudslide: If you’re looking for a boozy dessert to enjoy on a warm night, this frozen cocktail is the recipe you need!
  • Frozen Peach Margaritas: Peach is the fruit of summer! Add some tequila, blend it up, and you’ll have a creamy frozen cocktail ready to go.
a watermelon margarita in a jar glass
Watermelon Margaritas

Margaritas are Made for Summer

There’s never a bad time for this popular cocktail if you ask me! I’ll make a classic version, something frozen, and something fresh and fruity. There are so many summer-y margarita recipes to choose from, and I just want to make them all!

  • Aperol Margaritas: It’s like a classic Aperol Spritz, but with tequila! These drinks are frozen, so they’re nice and slushy, great for hot weather.
  • Spicy Cucumber Margarita: Refreshing cucumber and spicy jalapeno mixes to make the most delicious summer cocktail recipe!
  • Watermelon Margaritas: Watermelon is the most refreshing fruit to eat in the summertime, and it’s even better as a cocktail.
  • Blue Margarita: Make your drink match the pool with this vibrant blue cocktail! It’s perfect for pool parties and 4th of July celebrations.
  • Jalapeno Margaritas: Jalapeno peppers add a nice kick of spice to this pitcher cocktail.
  • Passionfruit Margaritas: Make enough of these tropical margaritas for a whole crowd! This recipe makes a pitcher, and it’s so quick to throw together.
three-quarters view of 2 strawberry basil margaritas, one in front of the other.
Strawberry Basil Margaritas

Refreshing Strawberry Cocktail Recipes

Fresh and fruity strawberry recipes are my favorite for summer, so I have tons of tasty summer cocktails with this fruity berry flavor.

  • Strawberry Mojito: Fresh strawberries add a fruity twist to refreshing mojitos, along with rum, soda water, lime, and mint.
  • Strawberry Basil Margarita: Fresh strawberries add fruity flavor, and basil leaves add a nice herb-y twist.
  • Strawberry Palomas: This strawberry and tequila cocktail is topped off with ginger beer for a fizzy finish. So refreshing!
  • Strawberry Frose: All you need for this easy summer drink is frozen strawberries, rose, and a blender.
  • Frozen Strawberry Margarita: This blended margarita has the perfect icy texture and sweet strawberry flavor.
blood orange Paloma in a jar glass
Blood Orange Palomas

Fun and Fruity Summer Cocktails

Nothing says summer like a fruit-filled cocktail drink. Whether you prefer citrus, berries, or tropical flavors, these summer beverages will satisfy your craving.

  • Blackberry Paloma: The mix of blackberry, grapefruit, lime, and tequila creates a smack of flavor that feels super refreshing!
  • Red Berry Sangria: Fruity berry flavors make this white wine sangria cocktail feel so summery.
  • Hurricane Cocktail: This fruity rum cocktail is the perfect way to get any summer party started! It’s so fun and super drinkable.
  • Blood Orange Palomas: Blood orange, grapefruit, and lime make a citrus-filled tequila cocktail that’s sure to refresh when it’s warm outside.
glasses of mojitos next to a pitcher
Pitcher Mojitos

Summer Party Cocktails (For a Crowd!)

Make enough for everyone, without spending all your time at the bar mixing drinks. These pitcher and batch cocktails are perfect for every cookout and backyard barbecue.

  • Pitcher Mojitos: This mint mojito recipe is super easy to make for a lot of people all at once, and it’s so tasty.
  • Pitcher Margaritas: Margaritas for everyone! Kick off any summer get together with a whole pitcher full, ready to drink.
  • Strawberry Margarita Punch: Turn a fruity margarita into a party punch that’s easy to serve. It’s so delicious and fun to drink.
  • Strawberry Lemonade Party Punch: Turn strawberry lemonade into an alcoholic party punch! It’s easy to make and easy to serve.
  • Sweet Tea Sangria: Sweet iced tea mixes with moscato for a super fruity pitcher cocktail. All sangrias are great for cooling down, but this one does double duty!

Get ready for every summer gathering with these refreshing cocktail recipes. So delicious and so fun to drink. Cheers!

More Cocktail Recipes

If you’re still looking for more cocktail recipes and alcoholic drink ideas, whether for summer or any other time of year, try these fun ideas.

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

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