37 Summer Cocktails for Maximum Chill
The best summer cocktails are as simple to make as they are refreshing. But every once in a while we get the urge to indulge our inner bartender by turning a piece of fruit into a drink cup, slapping around some mint, or making our own raspberry syrup. The recipes below will satisfy either camp.
If a simple pour-and-stir sangria is your speed, check out our one-bottle vermouth-based version. Ready to move on from the Aperol spritz? Swap in bitter Campari or choose from over 20 spritzy drinks from our friends at Epicurious. And hey, no one said if you’re drinking less right now you can’t enjoy a cocktail—we have plenty of low-ABV options, not to mention nonalcoholic mocktail recipes. Whether you’re throwing a huge family barbecue or sipping poolside with a friend, this list of summer cocktail recipes has you covered.
Photograph by Peden + Munk, food styling by Adriana Paschen, prop styling by Ceci Garcia1/37One-Bottle Vermouth Sangria
Nothing says “summer cocktails” like sangria, and this easy recipe will work with any sweet vermouth you’re able to find. Swap the sparkling water for sparkling wine if you’re looking for an extra buzz.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Rosanna Anil, Prop Styling by Paola Andrea2/37Lemon Drop Martini
It’s not your typical martini—okay, it’s not a martini at all—but an ice-cold lemon drop is a perfect summertime sipper.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Thu Buser, prop styling by Maggie DiMarco3/37Campari Spritz
Photo by Alex Lau4/37BA’s Best Piña Colada
Skip the canned pineapple juice and premade mix: for the best piña colada, blend fresh fruit (frozen works in a pinch) and white rum with coconut milk and cream of coconut.
Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Judy Mancini5/37Margarita, No Triple Sec
Triple sec brings sweetness to a classic margarita, but the liqueur can overpower the flavor of good tequila—here, the orange liqueur is swapped for simple syrup.
Photograph by Marcus McDonald, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton, Prop Styling by Andrea Bonin9/37Dirty Spritz
This no-ABV drink relies on nonalcoholic citrus aperitivo, olive brine, and fresh lemon juice, plus strong garnishes for visual and aromatic interest.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Thu Buser, prop styling by Maggie DiMarco10/37Hot Pink Punch
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Tim Ferro11/37Pornstar Martini
Photograph by Isa Zapata. Food Styling by Susan Ottaviano. Prop Styling by Maeve Sheridan and Molly Longwell13/37Mojito
Photograph by Suzanne Sarofff, Food Styling by Maggie Ruggiero, Prop Styling by Linden Elstran14/37Sake-Grapefruit Fizz
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Thu Buser, prop styling by Maggie DiMarco15/37Frozen Garibaldi
Blend orange juice concentrate and bitter Campari into this low-ABV, brunch-friendly frozen drink.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Thu Buser, prop styling by Maggie DiMarco16/37Spa Water Punch
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Thu Buser, prop styling by Maggie DiMarco17/37Sherry Colada
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Pearl Jones, prop styling by Stephanie De Luca18/37Raspberry Radler
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Prop Styling by Sean Dooley, Food Styling by Kendra Vaculin19/37Frozen Negroni
The classic negroni (equal parts dry gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth) gets a summertime upgrade with fresh orange juice and a blender full of ice.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Thu Buser, prop styling by Maggie DiMarco21/37Before Daylight
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca22/37Garden Party Super Punch
For this party-ready recipe, you’ll need a batch of John deBary’s Super Summer Fruit Syrup, a combination of peach, mango, chamomile, ginger, and turmeric.
Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Caroline Hwang, prop styling by Elizabeth Jaime.23/37Citrus Slushy
Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Caroline Hwang, prop styling by Elizabeth Jaime24/37Aperol-Kombucha Spritz
Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Caroline Hwang, prop styling by Aneta Florczyk27/37Cilantro Pisco Smash
Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Micah Morton, prop styling by Elizabeth Jaime28/37Peach-Aperol Spritz
Photo by Emma Fishman, food styling by Kat Boystova, prop styling by Allie Wist29/37Hibiscus–Tequila Sparkler
Dried hibiscus flowers form the base of this tart-sweet syrup, the recipe for which makes enough for 16 drinks—so maybe you actually need to throw a dinner party?
Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Elizabeth Jaime30/37Salted Strawberry Daiquiri
Photo by Peden + Munk, food styling by Sue Li, prop styling by Rebecca Bartoshesky35/37Spiked Ginger-Mint Lemonade
This recipe, from B’s Cracklin’ BBQ in Savannah, GA, is called lemonade, but don’t be fooled: it packs a boozy punch.
Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Yekaterina Boytsova36/37Rosé All Day Sangria
We like to think of this refreshing rosé version of summer’s iconic drink as spa water that brings a nice little buzz.
Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Molly Baz, Prop Styling by Emily Eisen37/37Salted Watermelon Margarita