Americans drink more during the summer. And, why not? Summer is the season of relaxation, fun under the sun, and sipping refreshing cocktails.
What better way to cool down than with a delicious summer-themed cocktail?
From classic favorites like Margaritas and Pina Coladas to exotic blends like Mai Tais and Blue Hawaiians, there's no shortage of options for your taste buds. Whether you're lounging by the pool or hosting a backyard BBQ, these 12 Summer Themed Cocktails are sure to satisfy your thirst and add some extra flair to your summer gatherings.
So grab a shaker, put on some tunes, and get ready to mix up something special!
1. The Strawberry Daiquiri
The Strawberry Daiquiri is a classic summer cocktail that's perfect for sipping on hot days. Made with rum, lime juice, and fresh strawberries, this drink is sweet and refreshing.
To make a Strawberry Daiquiri at home, start by blending together 1 cup of ice, 2 ounces of white rum, 1 ounce of lime juice, and half a cup of fresh strawberries. Make sure to remove the stems before blending!
Once everything is blended well, pour the mixture into your favorite glass and garnish with a slice of lime or additional strawberry.
While it's easy to find pre-made daiquiri mixes at the store or order them at bars and restaurants, there's nothing quite like making one from scratch. Plus, you can adjust the sweetness level to your liking!
2. The Margarita
The Margarita is a classic summer cocktail that has been enjoyed for generations. This refreshing drink features a perfect balance of sweet and sour flavors, making it the ideal choice for hot summer days or nights.
The key to a great margarita is using quality ingredients. Start with premium tequila, fresh lime juice, and orange liqueur. Shake it all together with ice until chilled, then strain it into a salt-rimmed glass.
There are many variations of the Margarita to try as well. Some people like theirs blended with ice for an icy, slushy consistency, while others prefer their margaritas on the rocks.
If you're feeling adventurous, try adding some fresh fruit to your Margarita mixes, such as watermelon or mango, for an extra burst of flavor.
3. The Pina Colada
The Pina Colada is a classic summer cocktail that originated in Puerto Rico. It's a refreshing blend of coconut cream, pineapple juice and rum, served over ice and garnished with a slice of pineapple and maraschino cherry.
One sip of this tropical drink will transport you to an island paradise, where the sun is shining and the ocean breeze is blowing. The sweetness of the pineapple juice perfectly balances the creamy texture of the coconut cream while adding a hint of tanginess to it.
The addition of white or dark rum adds just enough kick to remind you that you're sipping on an adult beverage. While there are many variations available today, sticking to a traditional recipe ensures its authenticity.
4. The Mojito
The Mojito is a refreshing classic cocktail that originated in Cuba. It's the perfect drink to enjoy during the summer season, with its combination of lime, mint, and rum.
To make a delicious Mojito at home, start by muddling fresh mint leaves and lime juice together in a glass. Add simple syrup and white rum before stirring it all together with ice. Top off your creation with club soda and garnish with additional mint sprigs for an extra pop of flavor.
The key to making the perfect Mojito is using fresh ingredients - don't skimp on the quality of your mint or limes! And while traditional recipes call for white rum, feel free to experiment with flavored rums or even vodka for a unique twist on this classic cocktail.
5. The Whiskey Sour
The Whiskey Sour is a classic cocktail that has stood the test of time. Made with whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup, this drink is perfect for those who enjoy a little bit of sweetness in their cocktails.
One of the best things about The Whiskey Sour is its versatility. You can use any type of whiskey you like to make it. Bourbon or rye work equally well.
And if you prefer your drinks on the sweeter side, you can adjust the amount of simple syrup accordingly.
To make The Whiskey Sour, start by filling a shaker (shaken, not stirred) with ice. Add 2 ounces of whiskey, 3/4 ounces of fresh lemon juice and 1/2 ounce of simple syrup. Shake vigorously for about 10 seconds until well chilled and strain into an old-fashioned glass filled with ice.
Garnish your creation with an orange slice and cherry on top for added flavor and visual appeal. Enjoy your sweet yet sour concoction during long summer nights.
6. The Ramos Gin Fizz
The Ramos Gin Fizz is a classic New Orleans cocktail that has been enjoyed since the late 1800s. This frothy drink is made with gin, lemon juice, lime juice, sugar, cream, egg white and orange flower water. The ingredients are vigorously shaken to create a thick and foamy consistency.
Legend has it that this cocktail was so popular in its heyday that bartenders had to employ an army of "shaker boys" just to keep up with demand. And while today's bars might not require quite as much effort to whip up one of these delicious drinks, the time-honored recipe remains the same.
The key ingredient in a Ramos Gin Fizz is undoubtedly the orange flower water - its distinctive flavor gives this drink an unforgettable taste. But it's also important not to skimp on the shaking process either; be sure to shake until your arms feel like they're going to fall off for maximum frothiness!
7. The Mint Julep
The Mint Julep has been around for over 200 years. It originated in the southern states of the US and was traditionally served as a morning drink to cool down on hot days.
This refreshing cocktail consists of bourbon, sugar, water, and fresh mint leaves. To make it even more indulgent, crushed ice is added to create a slushy texture that perfectly complements the sweetness of the drink.
The key ingredient in any Mint Julep is fresh mint leaves. They not only add flavor but also provide an aromatic quality that makes this drink so appealing. When preparing your Mint Julep, be sure to gently muddle the mint leaves with sugar before adding in your other ingredients to bring out their full potential.
One unique aspect of this cocktail is its serving vessel - a silver or pewter cup filled with crushed ice and adorned with sprigs of fresh mint. This iconic cup adds an element of elegance to any summer gathering and instantly elevates your drinking experience.
8. The Mai Tai
The version of the Mai Tai we know today is a classic tiki cocktail that originated in Hawaii back in the 1950s. However, prior to that, it originated in California during the 1940s.
This tropical drink has a perfect balance of sweet and sour, with just the right amount of rum to make it potent. It's known for its refreshing taste, making it an ideal summer beverage.
The ingredients used to make a Mai Tai include aged rum, curaçao liqueur, orgeat syrup (an almond-flavored syrup), and fresh lime juice. These ingredients are shaken together with ice and strained into a glass filled with crushed ice. The final touch is adding a sprig of mint as garnish.
The origin story behind the name "Mai Tai" is up for debate, but one thing everyone agrees on is that this cocktail was created by Victor Jules Bergeron Jr., also known as Trader Vic. He served his version at his restaurant called Trader Vic’s, which became famous worldwide.
9. The Hurricane
The Hurricane is a classic summer cocktail that originated in New Orleans. It's made with rum, passion fruit syrup and lime juice, and it's the perfect drink to enjoy on a hot summer day.
The Hurricane gets its name from the hurricane lamp-shaped glass that it's typically served in. This unique presentation adds an extra touch of excitement to this already delicious drink.
One of the best things about The Hurricane is its sweet and tangy taste. The combination of rum, passion fruit syrup and lime juice creates a perfectly balanced flavor profile that will leave you feeling refreshed and satisfied.
If you're looking for a fun twist on this classic cocktail, try adding some fresh fruit or garnishes like pineapple chunks or maraschino cherries. These additions not only add extra flavor but also make your drink look more beautiful.
10. The Long Island Iced Tea
The Long Island Iced Tea is a classic summer cocktail that packs quite the punch. While its origins are debated, one thing is for sure: it's a crowd-pleaser.
This drink consists of equal parts vodka, gin, rum, tequila and triple sec mixed with sour mix and topped off with cola. Despite its name, this concoction doesn't actually contain any tea - but it does have a similar color to the iced beverage.
One sip of this refreshing cocktail will transport you to a tropical paradise. It's the perfect drink for those hot summer days spent lounging by the pool or at an outdoor barbecue with friends and family.
While some may shy away from ordering such a strong drink, don't let that scare you off! The flavors blend together seamlessly to create a smooth and delicious taste that goes down all too easily.
11. The Sex on the Beach
The Sex on the Beach is a fruity cocktail that perfectly captures the essence of summer. This cocktail is made with vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice and cranberry juice.
It's named after its bright and playful appearance. The vibrant red color from the cranberry juice combined with the yellow-orange hue from the orange juice gives it a summertime feel.
The sweetness from this cocktail will tantalize your taste buds leaving you feeling refreshed and satisfied. The peach schnapps adds a subtle hint of fruitiness to this drink which complements well with the tartness of cranberry juice.
You can have fun experimenting with different ratios of juices to create your perfect Sex on the Beach recipe. Garnish it up with fresh fruit slices or cherries for an added touch of elegance.
This iconic beach-themed drink has been around since the 1980s and remains popular at bars and restaurants worldwide today. Whether you're lounging by a pool or walking along sandy beaches, sipping on a Sex on the Beach will transport you straight into vacation mode!
12. The Blue Hawaii
The Blue Hawaii is a tropical cocktail that perfectly captures the essence of summer. This drink has a vibrant blue color that will transport you to an island paradise with just one sip. The original recipe for this cocktail was created in 1957 by Harry Yee, a bartender at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki.
To make this refreshing drink, mix together white rum, blue curaçao liqueur, pineapple juice and sweet and sour mix. Shake it all up with ice cubes until chilled and strain into a glass filled with crushed ice.
What sets The Blue Hawaii apart from other cocktails is its stunning blue hue which comes from the addition of blue curaçao liqueur. This ingredient adds not only color but also an extra sweetness to balance out the tartness of pineapple juice and sour mix.
Start Mixing Your Favorite Summer-Themed Cocktails
Summer is the perfect time to indulge in refreshing and delicious cocktails. With these 12 themed cocktails, you'll have plenty of options to choose from at your next summer get-together or backyard BBQ.
Are you ready to make summer drinks and sit back and relax? Start shopping for the ingredients you need today.