25 Summer Cocktail Recipes to Make All Season Long (2024)

How to Set Up a Self-Serve Bar for Easy Outdoor Entertaining

Habanero-Hibiscus Sour

A traditional pisco sour gets a spicy, tropical twist with the addition of an aromatic syrup made with habanero chiles and dried hibiscus flowers.

Spiced Pineapple Cocktail

A small amount of chili powder added to a blend of pineapple juice, pineapple cubes, agave, and tequila provides a welcome dose of spice in this sweet and frosty summer cocktail.

La Paloma Cooler

Platinum tequila, Mexican grapefruit soda, and lime juice are a laid-back alternative to a traditional margarita. This cocktail also calls for an eye-catching garnish: half a lime, hollowed out and filled with a shot of tequila.

Peach-and-Mint Frappes

Frozen peaches (used in place of ice cubes) make this vodka-based drink slushy and cool. It's easy to make a virgin version of this frappe by simply subbing water for the spirits.

Summer Spritzes

Making the perfect spritz is easy once you know the formula. Practice makes perfect with three of our summer cocktail favorites: Pineapple-Cucumber Spritz, Hibiscus-Ginger Spritz, and Spicy Grapefruit Spritz.

Aperol Jasmine Spritz

Enjoy the season in true Martha style with a variation of her favorite cocktail, the Aperol spritz, inspired by the classic gin-based Jasmine cocktail.

Citrus Mule

Invite a breath of summer into the usual Moscow mule by making it with a lime, lemon, and an orange, and just a hint of mint.

Mango Mojito

Splash some sunshine into a basic minty mojito with the addition of fresh mango. This recipe also works beautifully with other fruits, such as strawberries or pineapple.

Pimm's Cup

This classic English summer cocktail evokes images of croquet lawns and white linen. Pimm's, a gin-based herbal liqueur, works in harmony with ginger ale, fresh mint, cucumber, and strawberries.

Lemon Mezcal Margarita

The traditional margarita gets a smoky twist thanks to the mezcal used to make this delicious drink; don't forget the unexpected salt-and-pepper rim.

Boozy White Sangria

Macerated fruits including pineapple, honeydew, grapes, and kiwi soak together in this delicious drink. Best of all, it only takes 15 minutes to prepare.

Shaken Piña Colada

Nothing says beachfront happy hour quite like a piña colada. Ours is shaken, not blended, and the taste transports you to a tropical island.

Strawberry Daiquiri

A tried and true summer cocktail classic, this boozy smoothie relative can be made in a myriad of ways. If you get tired of the strawberry flavor, try our Pineapple-Mint iteration.

Modern Mai Tai

Enjoy this summertime favorite—which includes four different types of alcohol— beside the pool or on the beach for the ultimate in relaxation.

Sour-Cherry Cordial

Rumored to be a favorite of President George Washington, this sour cherry cocktail is a timeless refresher made with fresh, in-season fruit.

Watermelon-Tequila Refresher

Not only will this drink hit the spot on a hot day, but it requires only five ingredients: Watermelon, sugar, ice, lemon juice, and tequila.

Blue Hawaiian

Whip up this tiki-inspired drink the next time you're dreaming of a tropical vacation. The blue hue and frozen consistency will keep you as cool as a salty ocean breeze.

Spiked Elderflower Lemonade

Give a kid-friendly beverage an adult twist with vodka and Elderflower Cordial, for a drink that's sweet, refreshing, and just a little tart.

Sumac-Mint Fizz

Sumac, a citrusy spice, is the base for the simple syrup in this tasty drink. Add a dash of alcohol of your choosing to give it a boozy finish.

Ginger Caipirinhas

This iconic Brazilian cocktail is made with cachaca, a spirit derived from sugarcane, fresh muddled ginger, and lime.

Pineapple-Raspberry Bellini

Amp up your summer brunch menu with this refreshing take on a bellini, made with sparkling white wine, raspberries, pineapple juice, seltzer, and vanilla extract.

Limoncello Sparkler

Toast to the summer days ahead with this light, bright cocktail. Prosecco, limoncello, and a sprig of fresh rosemary blend savory and sweet flavors for a complex, grown-up take on lemonade.

Pineapple Highball

This tiki-inspired summer cocktail uses a vanilla-and-star-anise syrup, white rum, and seltzer—plus maraschino cherries for a dose of sweetness.

Cucumber-Ginger Fizz

A ginger-infused simple syrup complements vodka, limes, sparkling water, and ribbons of fresh cucumber in this drink—an obvious match for sweltering August afternoons.

Melon Mule

A homemade infusion of vodka with melons and mint provides the base for this rejuvenating take on a Moscow mule.