When the heat kicks in, few things are more satisfying than a refreshing summer beverage. From bubbly spritzers and citrusy wine drinks to spirit-forward sippers and even fruity mocktails, these summer cocktail recipes are colorful, easy to make, and full of bright, sun-soaked flavor.
These summer drinks are sure to cool you down as the heat index rises. This is a list of some of my favorite summer cocktail (and mocktail) recipes, plus ideas for what to pair them with to make the most of every get-together this summer.
Save this list so you’re equipped with lots of inspiration for summer drinks suited for poolside lounging, backyard barbecues, picnic packing, or even relaxing in the shade.
Table of Contents
- Wine-Based Pitcher Cocktails for a Small Crowd
- Sparkling Cocktails and Spritzes
- Peach Bellini
- Strawberry Bellini (Rossini)
- Agua de València
- Sgroppino (Italian Prosecco Cocktail)
- Aperol Spritz
- Limoncello Spritz
- Cocktails with a Mediterranean Twist
- Negroni
- Blood Orange Cocktail with Rosemary
- Easy Ouzo Drink with Lemon
- The Eternal Sunshine
- Pomegranate Martini
- Mediterranean-Inspired Mocktails
- Non-Alcoholic Sangria with Hibiscus and Thyme
- Mediterranean Mint Lemonade (Limonada)
- Peach Iced Tea with Lemon and Mint
- Watermelon Lemonade
- Peach Lemonade
- Spiced Pomegranate Fizz Mocktail
- Strawberry Lemonade
- More Recipe Roundups
Wine-Based Pitcher Cocktails for a Small Crowd
Wine-based pitcher cocktails are perfect for summer get-togethers. They’re festive, colorful, and easy to make ahead of time. Bonus: The fruit and herbs make them just as beautiful as they are delicious.
Watermelon Sangria
This vibrant pink sangria brings the juicy sweetness of watermelon to the forefront. Fresh watermelon juice, white wine, and citrus combine in this ultra-refreshing cocktail that tastes like summer in a glass. Add some Pan Con Tomate, a few other Spanish tapas for a breezy Summer evening.
Rosé Lemonade
This pink pitcher drink combines dry rosé wine with lemon juice, sugar, and sparkling water for a floral and tangy refresher. It’s beautiful in a pitcher with lemon wheels or raspberries. Serve it at brunch with Easy Oven Baked Eggs and Baked French Toast, or with Fattoush Salad and Grilled Halloumi and Cherry Tomatoes for a casual, colorful dinner.
Red Sangria
Sangria is a true classic, and my go-to drink for summer parties. Red wine is infused with orange juice, fresh citrus, and brandy for a bold, fruity cocktail that gets better as it chills. Make it a few hours ahead of time to let the flavors meld, and serve it with a few of these Spanish recipes for a whole spread.
White Sangria
When peaches are in season, don’t miss the opportunity to make this juicy, refreshing sangria. White sangria is lighter and more delicate than its red counterpart. Besides peaches, this version features apples and citrus slices. Add crisp white wine, a little brandy, and orange liqueur for sweetness and depth, and garnish it with fresh mint. Serve it with savory seafood dishes like Seafood Paella or Shrimp Salad.
Tinto de Verano
This crushable red wine cocktail is a refreshing combination of wine, fruit, and lemon-lime soda. If you like the flavor of sangria but want something a little lower in alcohol, it’s a great option, especially for impromptu get-togethers, because it doesn’t need the steeping time sangria does. Serve it with crispy calamari and cooling Ajo Blanco for a laid-back Spanish supper.
Sparkling Cocktails and Spritzes
Bubbly cocktails—made with either sparkling wine or a hit of club soda—are ideal for happy hour because they’re light and refreshing, a welcome addition to a spread of little bites or a meal.
Peach Bellini
A Bellini is a classic sparkling cocktail from Venice made with peach purée and sparkling wine. The sweetness of ripe summer peaches paired with Prosecco makes it a brunch favorite. Serve it with Sheet Pan Eggs and Veggies or Baked French Toast for a sophisticated but easy meal.
Strawberry Bellini (Rossini)
A riff on the classic Bellini, the Rossini swaps peaches for juicy strawberries. A little lemon juice brightens it up, making this an ultra-refreshing twist. It’s especially good with extra-sweet in-season berries. Pair it with bagels and a beautiful smoked salmon platter or Crêpes with Strawberries and Chocolate.
Agua de València
A Spanish cocktail made with freshly squeezed orange juice, cava, vodka, and gin, Agua de València is a fruity and refreshing cross between a mimosa and sangria. It’s fizzy, citrusy, and built for summer. It’s perfect with salty finger foods like Patatas Bravas or a platter of Burrata Salad with Cherry Tomatoes and Prosciutto.
Sgroppino (Italian Prosecco Cocktail)
Think of Sgroppino as a grown-up lemon slushy. A creamy, frothy Italian cocktail made with lemon sorbet, vodka, and sparkling wine; it’s part drink, part dessert. Add some Grilled Garlic Parmesan Shrimp and lemony Grilled Asparagus for a fun dinner you can cook outside.
Aperol Spritz
This timeless Italian happy hour classic has a vibrant orange hue and a bittersweet flavor. Made with Aperol, Prosecco, and a splash of soda, it’s as gorgeous as it is delicious. Pair it with prosciutto e melone and squares of rich rosemary focaccia for pre-dinner snacking.
Limoncello Spritz
This bubbly, citrusy cocktail is our favorite way to use our homemade limoncello, but you can easily buy a bottle to make this refreshing summer cocktail. A zingy combo of lemon liqueur, sparkling wine, and soda water, it’s light, sweet-tart, and made for lemon lovers. Serve it with a spread of Farinata and Antipasto Skewers.
Cocktails with a Mediterranean Twist
Whether up or on the rocks, these spirit-forward drinks make perfect summer cocktails.
Negroni
This bold, bitter drink made with equal parts gin, vermouth, and Campari has a similar profile to an Aperol Spritz, but with the volume turned up. Sip it slowly over ice with a twist of orange. The big flavor can stand up to richer appetizers like an Italian-style Antipasto, a Cheese and Charcuterie Board, or simply sliced bread with Dipping Oil.
Blood Orange Cocktail with Rosemary
A bright, herbal drink, this cocktail combines rosemary syrup and blood orange juice. It’s earthy and sweet with a gorgeous blush hue. Serve them with a Mediterranean Mezze Platter or Grilled Lamb Chops.
Easy Ouzo Drink with Lemon
Mix a little ouzo, the Greek anise-flavored liqueur, with some lemon juice, ice, honey, and fresh mint, and you have a refreshing and simple Greek-style cocktail! Try it with steamed clams or the Greek-style Zucchini Fritters called Kolokithokeftedes.
The Eternal Sunshine
A cocktail creation from my husband, Saba, this combination of elderflower liqueur, tonic, gin, and a touch of aromatic orange blossom water has a delightfully refreshing profile with a floral twist. These light and refreshing summer cocktails are absolutely delicious with seafood. Serve them with Shrimp Ceviche or savory Blistered Tomato Bruschetta.
Pomegranate Martini
This elegant, magenta sipper is a close relative to the Cosmopolitan, but instead of cranberry juice, it’s a combination of pomegranate juice, vodka, orange liqueur, and lime juice. It’s fruity and tangy, and you can serve it up or on the rocks. It would be delicious with a citrusy avocado tuna salad for a light dinner.
Mediterranean-Inspired Mocktails
You don’t need alcohol to enjoy a delicious summer beverage! These scratch-made zero-proof options will help keep you cool, hydrated, and refreshed.
Non-Alcoholic Sangria with Hibiscus and Thyme
Dried hibiscus flowers—the same ones we use in this vibrant hibiscus iced tea—steeped with warming spices, fresh thyme, a touch of honey, and citrus yield a non-alcoholic “sangria” with just as much complexity as the original. Serve it with Spanish Meatballs.
Mediterranean Mint Lemonade (Limonada)
The trick to making this thick, frothy Egyptian-style mint lemonade is in blending some of the lemons or limes with the skin on. This adds intensity to the flavor and the texture of the lemonade. The result is deeply cooling and intensely tart and citrusy. It’s the ultimate thirst-quencher on hot days. Serve with Grilled Chicken Kofta and Tabouli for a vibrant, family-friendly dinner.
Peach Iced Tea with Lemon and Mint
My (much less sweet) take on Southern sweet tea has rich flavor from a peach-honey syrup. Want to go full Southern? Pour a glass of peach tea and serve it with my take on the classic Tomato Sandwich.
Watermelon Lemonade
A beautiful pink drink, this one combines the sweetness of melon with the pucker of lemon for a vibrant, summery sipper. It’s perfect at a cookout or a picnic. Pair with Shrimp Kabobs and Greek Potato Salad for a full meal.
Peach Lemonade
Sweet, peak-season peaches plus lemon juice and honey syrup make for a coral-hued lemonade with the flavor of summer. It’s a great way to use up ripe summer peaches! Add a colorful Niçoise salad or double up on peaches by pairing it with a Peach, Arugula, Basil, and Goat Cheese salad.
Spiced Pomegranate Fizz Mocktail
This non-alcoholic spritzer is sweet, tangy, and bubbly. It’s made with a base of honey, orange, and cardamom syrup and finished with pomegranate juice and club soda. Pomegranate is a great pairing with steak or lamb dishes because the tart flavor helps cut through the richness. Serve these with Tantuni Turkish Steak Wraps and smoky Roasted Carrot Harissa Hummus.
Strawberry Lemonade
A family favorite, this pink lemonade is made with fresh strawberry purée and lots of lemon juice. It’s bright, fruity, and perfect for outdoor meals. Enjoy it with tangy Grilled Zucchini Salad and Summer Pasta Salad with Corn, Zucchini, and Basil Vinaigrette.
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