Summer Cocktails to Sip All Season Long

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 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 temperature rises. I have gathered 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 season.

Save this list so you are equipped with lots of inspiration for summer drinks suited for poolside lounging, backyard barbecues, picnics, or just relaxing in the shade.

Wine-Based Pitcher Cocktails for a Small Crowd

Wine based pitcher cocktails are perfect for summer get togethers. They are festive, colorful, and easy to make ahead of time. The fruit and herbs make them just as beautiful as they are delicious.

1. 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.

Ready in: 10 minutes
Serves: 6

What You Need:

• 4 cups watermelon, cubed and seeded
• 1 bottle white wine or rosé
• ½ cup vodka or brandy
• ¼ cup honey or simple syrup
• Juice of 1 lime
• Watermelon slices for garnish
• Mint sprigs for garnish

How to Make It:

1. In a blender, puree the watermelon until smooth. Strain through a fine mesh sieve if desired.
2. In a large pitcher, combine the watermelon puree, wine, vodka, honey, and lime juice.
3. Stir well. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
4. Serve over ice with watermelon slices and mint.

Why everyone loves it: It is refreshing, beautiful, and tastes like summer in a glass.

Pro tip from Ruby: Add some Pan con Tomate and a few other Spanish tapas for a breezy summer evening.

2. Rosé Lemonade

This pink pitcher drink combines dry rosé wine with lemon juice, sugar, and sparkling water for a floral and tangy refresher. It is beautiful in a pitcher with lemon wheels or raspberries.

Ready in: 5 minutes
Serves: 6

What You Need:

• 1 bottle dry rosé wine, chilled
• 1 cup fresh lemon juice
• ½ cup simple syrup
• 2 cups sparkling water or lemon lime soda
• Lemon wheels for garnish
• Fresh raspberries for garnish

How to Make It:

1. In a large pitcher, combine the rosé, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Stir well.
2. Just before serving, add the sparkling water.
3. Serve over ice with lemon wheels and raspberries.

Why everyone loves it: It is floral, tangy, and perfectly pink.

Pro tip from Ruby: Serve it at brunch with Easy Oven Baked Eggs and Baked French Toast.

3. 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.

Ready in: 10 minutes plus chilling
Serves: 6

What You Need:

• 1 bottle red wine, such as Rioja or Tempranillo
• ½ cup brandy
• ¼ cup orange juice
• 2 tablespoons honey or simple syrup
• 1 orange, sliced
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 1 apple, cored and chopped
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 cups sparkling water or lemon lime soda

How to Make It:

1. In a large pitcher, combine the red wine, brandy, orange juice, honey, orange slices, lemon slices, apple, and cinnamon stick.
2. Stir well. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
3. Just before serving, add the sparkling water.
4. Serve over ice.

Why everyone loves it: It is bold, fruity, and a party staple. Make it a few hours ahead to let the flavors meld.

Pro tip from Ruby: Serve it with a few Spanish recipes for a whole spread.

4. White Sangria

When peaches are in season, do not miss the opportunity to make this juicy, refreshing sangria. White sangria is lighter and more delicate than its red counterpart.

Ready in: 10 minutes plus chilling
Serves: 6

What You Need:

• 1 bottle white wine, such as Albariño or Sauvignon Blanc
• ½ cup peach liqueur or brandy
• ¼ cup honey or simple syrup
• 1 orange, sliced
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 1 peach, sliced
• 1 apple, cored and chopped
• Fresh mint sprigs
• 2 cups sparkling water or lemon lime soda

How to Make It:

1. In a large pitcher, combine the white wine, peach liqueur, honey, orange slices, lemon slices, peach slices, apple, and mint.
2. Stir well. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
3. Just before serving, add the sparkling water.
4. Serve over ice with additional mint.

Why everyone loves it: It features peaches, apples, and citrus slices for a light and refreshing summer drink.

Pro tip from Ruby: Serve it with savory seafood dishes like Seafood Paella or Shrimp Salad.

5. 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 is a great option.

Ready in: 5 minutes
Serves: 1

What You Need:

• ½ cup red wine
• ½ cup lemon soda or sparkling lemonade
• Lemon slices
• Orange slices
• Ice

How to Make It:

1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Add the red wine and lemon soda.
3. Stir gently.
4. Garnish with lemon and orange slices.

Why everyone loves it: It does not need the steeping time sangria does. Perfect for impromptu get togethers.

Pro tip from Ruby: 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. They are light and refreshing, a welcome addition to a spread of little bites or a meal.

6. 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.

Ready in: 5 minutes
Serves: 1

What You Need:

• 2 tablespoons peach purée or nectar
• 4 ounces Prosecco or other sparkling wine, chilled
• Peach slice for garnish

How to Make It:

1. Pour the peach purée into a champagne flute.
2. Slowly top with Prosecco.
3. Stir gently.
4. Garnish with a peach slice.

Why everyone loves it: It is simple, elegant, and tastes like summer peaches.

Pro tip from Ruby: Serve it with Sheet Pan Eggs and Veggies or Baked French Toast for a sophisticated but easy meal.

7. Strawberry Bellini

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.

Ready in: 5 minutes
Serves: 1

What You Need:

• 3 fresh strawberries, hulled
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon simple syrup
• 4 ounces Prosecco or other sparkling wine, chilled
• Strawberry slice for garnish

How to Make It:

1. In a small bowl, mash the strawberries with lemon juice and simple syrup until pureed.
2. Pour the strawberry mixture into a champagne flute.
3. Slowly top with Prosecco.
4. Stir gently.
5. Garnish with a strawberry slice.

Why everyone loves it: It is especially good with extra sweet in season berries.

Pro tip from Ruby: Pair it with bagels and a beautiful smoked salmon platter or Crêpes with Strawberries and Chocolate.

8. 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.

Ready in: 5 minutes
Serves: 4

What You Need:

• 2 cups fresh orange juice
• 1 bottle cava or other sparkling wine, chilled
• ½ cup gin or vodka
• ¼ cup simple syrup, optional
• Orange slices for garnish

How to Make It:

1. In a large pitcher, combine the orange juice, cava, gin, and simple syrup if using.
2. Stir gently.
3. Serve immediately in champagne flutes or wine glasses with orange slices.

Why everyone loves it: It is fizzy, citrusy, and built for summer.

Pro tip from Ruby: It is perfect with salty finger foods like Patatas Bravas or a platter of Burrata Salad with Cherry Tomatoes and Prosciutto.

9. Sgroppino

Think of Sgroppino as a grown up lemon slushy. A creamy, frothy Italian cocktail made with lemon sorbet, vodka, and sparkling wine. It is part drink, part dessert.

Ready in: 5 minutes
Serves: 1

What You Need:

• 2 scoops lemon sorbet
• 1 ounce vodka
• 2 ounces Prosecco or other sparkling wine, chilled
• Lemon zest for garnish

How to Make It:

1. In a chilled glass or bowl, add the lemon sorbet.
2. Pour the vodka and Prosecco over the sorbet.
3. Stir until slightly frothy and combined.
4. Garnish with lemon zest.
5. Serve immediately with a spoon.

Why everyone loves it: It is refreshing, creamy, and perfect for a hot day.

Pro tip from Ruby: Add some Grilled Garlic Parmesan Shrimp and lemony Grilled Asparagus for a fun dinner you can cook outside.

10. 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 is as gorgeous as it is delicious.

Ready in: 3 minutes
Serves: 1

What You Need:

• 3 parts Prosecco
• 2 parts Aperol
• 1 splash soda water
• Orange slice for garnish
• Ice

How to Make It:

1. Fill a wine glass with ice.
2. Add the Prosecco, then the Aperol.
3. Top with a splash of soda water.
4. Stir gently.
5. Garnish with an orange slice.

Why everyone loves it: It is the perfect balance of bitter, sweet, and bubbly.

Pro tip from Ruby: Pair it with prosciutto e melone and squares of rich rosemary focaccia for pre dinner snacking.

11. Limoncello Spritz

This bubbly, citrusy cocktail is our favorite way to use homemade limoncello. A zingy combo of lemon liqueur, sparkling wine, and soda water.

Ready in: 3 minutes
Serves: 1

What You Need:

• 2 ounces limoncello
• 3 ounces Prosecco or other sparkling wine
• 1 ounce soda water
• Lemon slices
• Ice

How to Make It:

1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Add the limoncello and Prosecco.
3. Top with soda water.
4. Stir gently.
5. Garnish with lemon slices.

Why everyone loves it: It is light, sweet tart, and made for lemon lovers.

Pro tip from Ruby: 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.

12. Negroni

This bold, bitter drink is made with equal parts gin, vermouth, and Campari. It has a similar profile to an Aperol Spritz, but with the volume turned up.

Ready in: 3 minutes
Serves: 1

What You Need:

• 1 ounce gin
• 1 ounce sweet vermouth
• 1 ounce Campari
• Orange twist for garnish
• Ice

How to Make It:

1. Fill a mixing glass with ice. Add the gin, vermouth, and Campari.
2. Stir until well chilled.
3. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
4. Garnish with an orange twist.

Why everyone loves it: It is bold, bitter, and complex.

Pro tip from Ruby: The big flavor can stand up to richer appetizers like an Italian style Antipasto or a Cheese and Charcuterie Board.

13. Blood Orange Cocktail with Rosemary

A bright, herbal drink combining rosemary syrup and blood orange juice. It is earthy and sweet with a gorgeous blush hue.

Ready in: 10 minutes
Serves: 1

What You Need:

• 2 ounces blood orange juice
• 1½ ounces vodka or gin
• ½ ounce rosemary simple syrup
• ½ ounce fresh lemon juice
• Rosemary sprig for garnish
• Ice

How to Make It:

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the blood orange juice, vodka, rosemary syrup, and lemon juice.
2. Shake well until chilled.
3. Strain into a glass filled with ice.
4. Garnish with a rosemary sprig.

Why everyone loves it: It is earthy, sweet, and has a beautiful color.

Pro tip from Ruby: Serve them with a Mediterranean Mezze Platter or Grilled Lamb Chops.

14. Easy Ouzo Drink with Lemon

Mix a little ouzo, the Greek anise flavored liqueur, with lemon juice, ice, honey, and fresh mint. You have a refreshing and simple Greek style cocktail.

Ready in: 3 minutes
Serves: 1

What You Need:

• 2 ounces ouzo
• 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
• ½ ounce honey or simple syrup
• Fresh mint leaves
• Lemon slice
• Ice

How to Make It:

1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Add the ouzo, lemon juice, and honey.
3. Stir well.
4. Garnish with mint leaves and a lemon slice.

Why everyone loves it: It is refreshing, anise forward, and very Greek.

Pro tip from Ruby: Try it with steamed clams or Greek style Zucchini Fritters.

15. The Eternal Sunshine

A cocktail creation from my husband, this combination of elderflower liqueur, tonic, gin, and a touch of aromatic orange blossom water has a delightfully refreshing profile with a floral twist.

Ready in: 3 minutes
Serves: 1

What You Need:

• 1½ ounces gin
• 1 ounce elderflower liqueur
• ½ ounce fresh lemon juice
• ¼ ounce orange blossom water
• Tonic water
• Orange slice
• Lime slice
• Ice

How to Make It:

1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Add the gin, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, and orange blossom water.
3. Top with tonic water.
4. Stir gently.
5. Garnish with orange and lime slices.

Why everyone loves it: It is light, refreshing, and has a beautiful floral note.

Pro tip from Ruby: These are absolutely delicious with seafood. Serve them with Shrimp Ceviche or savory Blistered Tomato Bruschetta.

16. Pomegranate Martini

This elegant, magenta sipper is a close relative to the Cosmopolitan. Instead of cranberry juice, it combines pomegranate juice, vodka, orange liqueur, and lime juice.

Ready in: 5 minutes
Serves: 1

What You Need:

• 2 ounces vodka
• 1 ounce pomegranate juice
• ½ ounce orange liqueur
• ½ ounce fresh lime juice
• Lime twist for garnish
• Ice

How to Make It:

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the vodka, pomegranate juice, orange liqueur, and lime juice.
2. Shake well until chilled.
3. Strain into a chilled martini glass.
4. Garnish with a lime twist.

Why everyone loves it: It is fruity, tangy, and beautifully pink.

Pro tip from Ruby: 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 do not need alcohol to enjoy a delicious summer beverage. These scratch made zero proof options will help keep you cool, hydrated, and refreshed.

17. Non-Alcoholic Sangria with Hibiscus and Thyme

Dried hibiscus flowers 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.

Ready in: 15 minutes plus chilling
Serves: 6

What You Need:

• 4 cups water
• ½ cup dried hibiscus flowers
• ¼ cup honey or agave
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 orange, sliced
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 1 apple, cored and chopped
• 2 cups sparkling water
• Ice for serving

How to Make It:

1. In a saucepan, combine the water, hibiscus flowers, honey, and cinnamon stick. Bring to a boil.
2. Remove from heat. Add the thyme sprigs. Let steep for 10 minutes.
3. Strain the mixture into a pitcher. Discard the solids.
4. Refrigerate until completely chilled.
5. Add the orange slices, lemon slices, and apple.
6. Just before serving, add the sparkling water.
7. Serve over ice.

Why everyone loves it: It has just as much complexity as the original.

Pro tip from Ruby: Serve it with Spanish Meatballs.

18. Mediterranean Mint Lemonade

The trick to making this thick, frothy Egyptian style mint lemonade is blending some of the lemons with the skin on. This adds intensity and texture.

Ready in: 10 minutes
Serves: 4

What You Need:

• 4 lemons, scrubbed
• 1 cup fresh mint leaves
• ½ cup honey or simple syrup
• 4 cups cold water
• Ice for serving
• Mint sprigs for garnish

How to Make It:

1. Cut two of the lemons into quarters, leaving the skin on. Juice the remaining two lemons.
2. In a blender, combine the lemon quarters, mint leaves, honey, and 1 cup of water. Blend until smooth.
3. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a pitcher, pressing to extract all the liquid.
4. Add the remaining 3 cups of water and the fresh lemon juice. Stir well.
5. Serve over ice with mint sprigs.

Why everyone loves it: The result is deeply cooling and intensely tart and citrusy.

Pro tip from Ruby: Serve with Grilled Chicken Kofta and Tabouli for a vibrant, family friendly dinner.

19. Peach Iced Tea with Lemon and Mint

My much less sweet take on Southern sweet tea has rich flavor from a peach honey syrup.

Ready in: 15 minutes plus chilling
Serves: 6

What You Need:

• 4 cups water
• 4 black tea bags
• 2 ripe peaches, sliced
• ¼ cup honey
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
• Fresh mint sprigs
• Lemon slices
• Ice for serving

How to Make It:

1. In a saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Remove from heat and add the tea bags. Steep for 5 minutes. Remove the tea bags and let cool.
2. In a small saucepan, combine the peaches, honey, and ½ cup water. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes until the peaches are soft. Mash gently with a fork. Let cool, then strain, reserving the peach syrup.
3. In a pitcher, combine the tea, peach syrup, lemon juice, and remaining 1½ cups water. Stir well.
4. Refrigerate until chilled.
5. Serve over ice with mint sprigs and lemon slices.

Why everyone loves it: It is less sweet than traditional sweet tea but full of peach flavor.

Pro tip from Ruby: Pour a glass and serve it with my take on the classic Tomato Sandwich.

20. Watermelon Lemonade

A beautiful pink drink combining the sweetness of melon with the pucker of lemon for a vibrant, summery sipper.

Ready in: 10 minutes
Serves: 6

What You Need:

• 4 cups watermelon, cubed and seeded
• 1 cup fresh lemon juice
• ½ cup honey or simple syrup
• 2 cups cold water
• Ice for serving
• Watermelon slices for garnish
• Basil leaves for garnish

How to Make It:

1. In a blender, puree the watermelon until smooth. Strain through a fine mesh sieve.
2. In a pitcher, combine the watermelon juice, lemon juice, honey, and water. Stir well.
3. Refrigerate until chilled.
4. Serve over ice with watermelon slices and basil.

Why everyone loves it: It is perfect at a cookout or a picnic.

Pro tip from Ruby: Pair with Shrimp Kabobs and Greek Potato Salad for a full meal.

21. Peach Lemonade

Sweet, peak season peaches plus lemon juice and honey syrup make for a coral hued lemonade with the flavor of summer.

Ready in: 10 minutes
Serves: 6

What You Need:

• 3 ripe peaches, pitted and chopped
• 1 cup fresh lemon juice
• ½ cup honey or simple syrup
• 3 cups cold water
• Ice for serving
• Peach slices for garnish
• Mint sprigs for garnish

How to Make It:

1. In a blender, combine the peaches and 1 cup of water. Blend until smooth.
2. Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a pitcher.
3. Add the lemon juice, honey, and remaining 2 cups water. Stir well.
4. Refrigerate until chilled.
5. Serve over ice with peach slices and mint.

Why everyone loves it: It is a great way to use up ripe summer peaches.

Pro tip from Ruby: Add a colorful Niçoise salad or double up on peaches by pairing it with a Peach, Arugula, Basil, and Goat Cheese salad.

22. Spiced Pomegranate Fizz Mocktail

This non alcoholic spritzer is sweet, tangy, and bubbly. Made with a base of honey, orange, and cardamom syrup and finished with pomegranate juice and club soda.

Ready in: 15 minutes
Serves: 1

What You Need:

• For the cardamom orange syrup:
• ½ cup honey
• ½ cup water
• 1 orange, zested
• 4 cardamom pods, crushed
• For the mocktail:
• 2 ounces pomegranate juice
• 1 ounce cardamom orange syrup
• ½ ounce fresh lime juice
• Club soda
• Pomegranate seeds for garnish
• Orange wedge for garnish
• Ice

How to Make It:

1. Make the syrup. In a small saucepan, combine the honey, water, orange zest, and cardamom pods. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. Strain and discard the solids.
2. Fill a glass with ice.
3. Add the pomegranate juice, cardamom orange syrup, and lime juice.
4. Top with club soda.
5. Stir gently.
6. Garnish with pomegranate seeds and an orange wedge.

Why everyone loves it: Pomegranate is a great pairing with steak or lamb dishes because the tart flavor helps cut through the richness.

Pro tip from Ruby: Serve these with Tantuni Turkish Steak Wraps and smoky Roasted Carrot Harissa Hummus.

23. Strawberry Lemonade

A family favorite. This pink lemonade is made with fresh strawberry purée and lots of lemon juice. It is bright, fruity, and perfect for outdoor meals.

Ready in: 10 minutes
Serves: 6

What You Need:

• 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled
• 1 cup fresh lemon juice
• ½ cup honey or simple syrup
• 3 cups cold water
• Ice for serving
• Strawberry slices for garnish
• Lemon slices for garnish

How to Make It:

1. In a blender, combine the strawberries and 1 cup of water. Blend until smooth.
2. Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a pitcher.
3. Add the lemon juice, honey, and remaining 2 cups water. Stir well.
4. Refrigerate until chilled.
5. Serve over ice with strawberry and lemon slices.

Why everyone loves it: It is bright, fruity, and family friendly.

Pro tip from Ruby: Enjoy it with tangy Grilled Zucchini Salad and Summer Pasta Salad with Corn, Zucchini, and Basil Vinaigrette.

Conclusion

I hope these summer cocktails and mocktails bring lots of refreshment and joy to your season. From big pitcher drinks for parties to single serve sips for quiet evenings, there is something here for every occasion.

Whether you are hosting a backyard barbecue, lounging by the pool, or just enjoying a sunset on the porch, these drinks capture the bright, sunny spirit of summer.

Cheers and happy sipping.