By Becky Hardin
Published Jun 27, 2023
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!
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.
Aperol Spritz
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
30+ Festive Fall Cocktails
30 Festive Christmas Cocktails
Classic Margarita + 28 Margarita Recipes
12 Sangria Recipes
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
