10 Summer Cocktails to Make This Season

The first summer holiday of the year calls for a fresh, beautiful, perfectly sweet cocktail, don’t you think? Over the past few years, the team and I have had so much fun creating new flavor twists on classic cocktails that use simple ingredients and fresh fruit bases.

These summer cocktail recipes are perfect for your BBQs, potlucks, girl’s nights, and anytime you’re in the mood to celebrate! They can easily be made into mocktails by omitting the alcohol and adding extra fruit juice or club soda, and they’re great for doubling or tripling for a crowd.

Get all of my tips for making homemade simple syrup and perfecting beautiful garnishes, plus stock up on some of our favorite cocktail-making kitchenware. Cheers!

DIY simple syrup

Some of these cocktails contain simple syrup, which is super easy to make right at home! A quick shortcut for simple syrup: shake equal parts granulated sugar and water in a small jar for 1-2 minutes until the sugar dissolves. That’s it!

cherry lime cocktail in a pitcher

Our favorite cocktail-making tools

Get all of our go-to kitchen essentials here!

dried citrus on plates to garnish summer cocktails

Let’s talk garnishes

What’s a fun cocktail without some cute garnishes? Learn how to make dried citrus here to add to any of these drinks! I also love to rim each glass with things like salt, tajín, sugar, and even toasted coconut. To do so:

  1. Cut a wedge from a lime and rub the cut side of the lime along the rim of each glass.
  2. Dip the rims of your glasses in salt, tajín, or sugar, etc., rolling side to side until they’re both coated.

coconut margarita in a glass with a lime wedge

Coconut Lime Margarita

frozen mango margarita in a glass with a blue umbrella

Frozen Mango Margarita

spiked cherry limeade in two glasses

Spiked Cherry Limeade

two blood orange margaritas in glasses

Spicy Blood Orange Margarita

watermelon frosé in glasses

Watermelon Frosé

grapefruit margarita in a glass

Grapefruit Margarita

frozen strawberry margarita in a glass

Frozen Strawberry Margarita

two green margaritas in glasses

Spiked Tropical Green Juice (aka Green Margarita)

pouring a skinny watermelon margarita into a glass

Jalapeño Watermelon Margaritas

I hope you love these healthy summer cocktail recipes! If you make any of them, be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked it. Enjoy, xo!