Top 10 Cocktails to Try This Summer: Refreshing and Delightful Drinks

ByOlivia Hours

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy refreshing cocktails that can cool you down and elevate your gatherings. Whether you’re lounging by the pool, hosting a barbecue, or relaxing on the patio, these top 10 summer cocktails are sure to delight your taste buds and impress your guests.

1. Mojito

The Mojito is a classic Cuban cocktail that’s refreshing, minty, and incredibly satisfying on a hot summer day.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz light rum
  • 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup
  • Fresh mint leaves
  • Club soda
  • Ice
  • Lime wedges and mint sprigs for garnish

Instructions:

  1. In a glass, muddle mint leaves with lime juice and simple syrup.
  2. Fill the glass with ice and add light rum.
  3. Top with club soda and stir gently.
  4. Garnish with lime wedges and mint sprigs.

2. Aperol Spritz

The Aperol Spritz is a light and bubbly Italian cocktail that’s perfect for summer afternoons.

Ingredients:

  • 3 oz Aperol
  • 3 oz Prosecco
  • 1 oz club soda
  • Ice
  • Orange slices for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Fill a large wine glass with ice.
  2. Add Aperol and Prosecco.
  3. Top with club soda and stir gently.
  4. Garnish with an orange slice.

3. Margarita

A classic Margarita is a must-have summer cocktail, offering a perfect balance of sweet, sour, and salty flavors.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz tequila
  • 1 oz fresh lime juice
  • 1 oz triple sec (orange liqueur)
  • Salt for rimming the glass
  • Ice
  • Lime wheel for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Rub a lime wedge around the rim of a glass and dip the rim into salt.
  2. In a shaker, combine tequila, lime juice, and triple sec with ice.
  3. Shake well and strain into the prepared glass filled with ice.
  4. Garnish with a lime wheel.

4. Piña Colada

Transport yourself to a tropical paradise with a creamy and delicious Piña Colada.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz light rum
  • 1 oz coconut cream
  • 1 oz heavy cream
  • 6 oz fresh pineapple juice
  • 1 cup crushed ice
  • Pineapple slice and maraschino cherry for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Combine light rum, coconut cream, heavy cream, pineapple juice, and crushed ice in a blender.
  2. Blend until smooth and pour into a chilled glass.
  3. Garnish with a pineapple slice and maraschino cherry.

5. Watermelon Basil Cooler

This refreshing cocktail combines the sweet juiciness of watermelon with aromatic basil.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups fresh watermelon, cubed
  • 2 oz vodka
  • 1 oz fresh lime juice
  • Fresh basil leaves
  • Club soda
  • Ice
  • Basil sprigs and watermelon slice for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Muddle watermelon cubes and basil leaves in a shaker.
  2. Add vodka, lime juice, and ice. Shake well.
  3. Strain into a glass filled with ice and top with club soda.
  4. Garnish with a basil sprig and watermelon slice.

6. Sangria

A fruity and refreshing Spanish Sangria is perfect for summer gatherings and can be made in large batches.

Ingredients:

  • 1 bottle red wine
  • 1/4 cup brandy
  • 1/4 cup orange liqueur (triple sec)
  • 1/4 cup orange juice
  • 1/4 cup simple syrup
  • 1 orange, sliced
  • 1 lemon, sliced
  • 1 lime, sliced
  • 1 apple, cored and sliced
  • 1 cup club soda
  • Ice

Instructions:

  1. In a large pitcher, combine red wine, brandy, orange liqueur, orange juice, and simple syrup.
  2. Add the sliced fruits and stir well. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
  3. Just before serving, add club soda and ice. Stir gently.
  4. Serve in glasses filled with ice and fruit slices.

7. Gin and Tonic

A Gin and Tonic is a classic and simple cocktail that’s both refreshing and easy to make.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz gin
  • 4 oz tonic water
  • Ice
  • Lime wedge for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Fill a glass with ice.
  2. Add gin and tonic water.
  3. Stir gently and garnish with a lime wedge.

8. Strawberry Daiquiri

A Strawberry Daiquiri is a delicious and fruity cocktail that’s perfect for cooling down on a hot day.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz light rum
  • 1 oz fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup
  • 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled
  • Ice
  • Lime wheel and strawberry for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Blend light rum, lime juice, simple syrup, strawberries, and ice until smooth.
  2. Pour into a chilled glass.
  3. Garnish with a lime wheel and strawberry.

9. Moscow Mule

The Moscow Mule is a zesty and refreshing cocktail served in a distinctive copper mug.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz vodka
  • 4 oz ginger beer
  • 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
  • Ice
  • Lime wedge for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Fill a copper mug with ice.
  2. Add vodka and lime juice.
  3. Top with ginger beer and stir gently.
  4. Garnish with a lime wedge.

10. Blueberry Lemonade

For a refreshing and fruity summer cocktail, try a Blueberry Lemonade with a splash of vodka.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz vodka
  • 4 oz lemonade
  • 1/4 cup fresh blueberries
  • Fresh lemon slices
  • Ice
  • Mint sprigs for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Muddle blueberries in a shaker.
  2. Add vodka, lemonade, and ice. Shake well.
  3. Strain into a glass filled with ice.
  4. Garnish with lemon slices and mint sprigs.

In conclusion, these top 10 summer cocktails are perfect for adding a refreshing twist to your summer festivities. From the classic Mojito to the tropical Piña Colada, each cocktail offers unique and delightful flavors that are sure to impress your guests and keep you cool. Cheers to a delicious and enjoyable summer!

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