What are you sipping this weekend? My best friend is coming to town to celebrate her birthday, and we’ll be clinking some homemade cocktails. Since we’re in the thick of summer heat, I’m highlighting my favorite cocktails for warm days.
All 25 of these drinks are refreshing, many are fruity, and none are syrupy sweet. From brunch drinks to low-key cocktails with bubbly club soda, fruity margaritas to classic Moscow Mules, you’ll find it here. I added some non-alcoholic “mocktails” at the end that are suitable for adults and kids alike.
If you’re looking for fresh and healthy food recipes for summer weekends, check out this roundup. I think we might fire up the grill to make my favorite veggie burgers and corn on the cob for elotes. Cheers!
Brunch Cocktails
1) Fresh Bellini
These bellinis are made with real, fresh peach purée. Simple and delicious.
2) Kir Royale
Kir Royales are made with Champagne and a splash of French berry liqueur. They’re a great excuse to drink straight bubbly before noon.
3) Homemade Bloody Mary
These Bloody Marys are my attempt to recreate store-bought Zing Zang mix. Success!
4) Mimosa or Mimosa Bar
You can never go wrong with a mimosa. Never.
Classic Summertime Cocktails
5) Aperol Spritz
Bubbly and refreshing, the Aperol spritz is a little boozy, a little sweet, a little bitter, and a little hydrating. It’s a winner.
6) Mai Tai
This classic Tiki cocktail comes from the Aloha Kitchen Cookbook, and it skips the sugary syrups.
7) Mint Julep
Mint Juleps aren’t just for Derby days. I make mine with real maple syrup instead of simple syrup, which is easy to do and tastes amazing!
8) Mojito
Minty rum mojitos are like summer in a glass. Ahhhh.
9) Moscow Mule
I taste-tested all the ginger beers to figure out how to make the best Moscow Mule. Here it is.
10) Tom Collins
Like grown-up lemonade, Tom Collins cocktails are irresistibly citrusy, fizzy and refreshing, with herbal notes from the gin.
Gin, Served Up
11) Basil Gimlet
As you’ll see, gin + citrus + herbs is truly a winning combination. If you’re not usually a gin drinker, try it with Hendrick’s and you might change your tune.
12) Bee’s Knees Cocktail
These cold lemon-honey-gin drinks are so nice on a warm summer evening.
13) Cucumber Elderflower Gimlet
Crushed cucumber and St-Germain elderflower liqueur yield a truly lovely gin gimlet.
14) Cucumber Mint Gimlet
Likewise, cucumber and mint offer a garden-fresh option. Can you tell I love cucumber in my summer drinks?
Margaritas & The Like
15) Fresh Margarita (AKA “Skinny”)
These are my go-to margaritas. Use fresh-squeezed lime juice and orange juice (no Cointreau), quality tequila, and just a tiny bit of sweetener for the best margarita you’ve ever had.
16) Frozen Blueberry Margarita
Blueberries in a margarita? Absolutely.
17) Frozen Strawberry Margarita
These fruity batch margaritas are designed for frozen strawberries.
18) Honeydew Margarita
If you have a ripe honeydew, turn it into a margarita!
19)Mezcalita
The mezcalita is the margarita’s smoky cousin.
20) Pineapple Cilantro Serrano Cocktail
This little number is like an herbal, spicy-sweet pineapple margarita. If that’s your jam, you’re going to love it.
21) Spicy Cucumber Margarita (Love Real Food, page 128)
Cooling cucumber shaken with a spicy fresh jalapeño slice a truly irresistible margarita. Finish it off with a spice blend around the rim.
22) Spicy Watermelon Margarita
Ripe watermelon and jalapeño finish up our list of margaritas. These are so fresh and fun!
Sangria
23) The Best Red Sangria
I don’t throw around “the best” lightly. This sangria is wonderful, thanks to the careful selection of wine varietal and the combination of fruit.
24) Strawberry Rose Sangria (Love Real Food, page 137)
This refreshing sangria features ripe sliced strawberries, Honeycrisp apple, orange and St-Germain elderflower liqueur.
25) Watermelon White Sangria
Watermelon, nectarine, raspberries and lime really take a bottle Sauvignon Blanc to the next level.
Bonus: Mocktails
Cold Brew Iced Tea
Similar to cold brew coffee, the cold brewing method yields less bitter iced tea. It’s smooth and delicious.
Frozen Mint Lemonade
This spin on lemonade was inspired by a frozen drink in Morocco. It’s very cooling on a hot afternoon.
Pink Drink
A knock-off of Starbuck’s “Pink Drink,” made with strawberries, orange juice, hibiscus tea and coconut milk.
Refreshing Hibiscus Mocktail
Hibiscus tea mixed with bubbly club soda, a squeeze of lime, and a splash of honey simple syrup.
Summertime Aguas Frescas
Fun fruity drinks made simply of fruit blended with water, lime juice and a bit of sweetener.
Watermelon Juice
Cold homemade juice made with sweet, ripe watermelon is a real treat (it’s so easy, too).
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