It’s almost time for the temperature to go up a notch and there’s no better way to welcome the party season with a refreshing cocktail in hand. It’s time to play the bartender and learn a few party-worthy cocktail drink recipes that you can whip up for yourself on a hot Sunday evening or for your guests when you are planning to host a shindig. Here are a few must-try summer cocktail recipes that will get you in the mood for the warmer weather ahead.
Refreshing Cocktails for Summer
1. Coconut Water and Muddled Strawberry Cocktail
Serve this cocktail at a backyard bash in a pitcher or break out those fancy martini glasses to make this the evening party drink. But before that, take heart the recipe:
INGREDIENTS:
- 8 ounces of your preferred Vodka
- 1 mini bottle of your favorite sparkling wine
- 12 strawberries
- 4 teaspoons of Agave
- 4 cups of coconut water
- 8 chopped basil leaves
- 8 chopped mint leaves
- 2 limes- 1 juiced and 1 for garnish
DIRECTIONS:
Muddle the strawberries in a bowl and add agave, basil, and mint. Add these into a small pitcher and mix well with the rest of the ingredients. Serve the drink in martini glasses garnished with sliced lime. The recipe makes four cocktails.
2. Honeyed Cherry Daiquiri
Now here’s a sweet cocktail for the hotter days! Take note of this easy summer cocktail recipe and try at home.
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 ounces of light rum
- 8 sweet cherries
- Honey 1 tbsp.
- Dash of bitters (such as Peychaud’s)
- 1/4 ounce of maraschino liqueur (optional)
- 3/4 ounce fresh lime juice
DIRECTIONS:
Muddle the cherries until mashed and then add rum, bitters, maraschino liqueur, honey, and lime juice in a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice and shake for at least 20-30 seconds. Serve in a cocktail glass and garnish with lime. Simple right?
3. Crucomber
The freshness of cucumber and the flavors of lime gives this drink a therapeutic feel, especially during the hot summer days. Save the cocktail recipe for a quick try.
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 Ounces of Vodka
- 1 Ounce of fresh cucumber puree
- 1 lemon balm leaf
- Lemon juice
- Sesame syrup ¾ ounces
DIRECTIONS:
Crush lemon balm so that it releases the essence. Take a cocktail shaker and then add cucumber puree, lemon, sesame syrup, and Vodka. Shake well and serve chilled.
4. Raspberry Ice Pick
Reveal this delicious refresher after the sun goes down and the music turns up! Here’s a quick and easy cocktail recipe that will take no more than a 5 minutes of your precious time.
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 ounces of Van Gogh Raspberry Vodka (you can choose any other as per your preference)
- 1.5 ounces of sweet iced tea
- Half an ounce of fresh lemon juice
DIRECTIONS:
Pour all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously and serve. Garnish with floating raspberries.
5. Bourbon Colada
This not-so-light summer cocktail is extremely easy to mix up and serve for last-minute hosting.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1.5 ounces of Jim Beam Bourbon (or any other that sings to your tastes)
- 3/4 ounces of pineapple juice
- ¾ ounces of coconut liqueur
- ¾ ounces of heavy whipped cream
DIRECTIONS:
Add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker and shake. Serve over crushed ice.
Try these refreshing cocktail recipes at home and let us know all about your experience in the comment section below.
I’m Asma Sheikh, a home cook and recipe developer with a passion for all things food. On my blog (The Kitchen Advisor), you’ll find everything from healthy weeknight dinners to decadent desserts, and everything in between. So whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just getting started in the kitchen, I hope you’ll find something here that inspires you to get cooking!
