Simple Summer Cocktails and Mocktails

Post author:George McLoughlin
Post last modified:July 13, 2020
Reading time:3 mins read

Summer is a lovely time to get creative with your cocktails or mocktails. Whether you’re throwing an intimate party in your backyard this summer or just kicking back by the pool at home, here are some easy summer cocktails that will help you chill out on a hot day. Don’t drink alcohol? Turn any one of these recipes into a summer mocktail.

Summer Strawberry Mule

The classic mule typically calls for vodka, but in this summer strawberry mule, replace it with rum.

2 oz. white rum
1 oz. lemon juice
.05 oz. simple syrup
Two strawberries
2 oz. ginger beer
A couple of dashes of bitters
Ice

Muddle strawberries, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker. Add rum and ice. Shake. Pour into a tall glass, add ginger beer, and bitters. Serve with ice, lime garnish, or mint. For a mocktail, leave out the rum.

Just Peachy Margarita

A margarita screams summer sipping! Peaches are one of the quintessential fruits of summer. Try a summery peach margarita to replace the classic margarita.

2 oz. white tequila
1 oz. lime juice
.05 oz. triple sec (or other orange liqueur)
.05 simple syrup
Peach slices (or peach liqueur of your choice)
Ice

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker—muddle peaches. Shake. Pour into margarita glass rimmed with sugar. For frozen, place all ingredients into a blender with ice. Blend until smooth. For a mocktail, leave out the tequila and triple sec, replace it with fruit juice of your choice.

Watermelon Vodka Spritz

Who doesn’t love watermelon in the summertime? It’s super tasty in this refreshing watermelon spritz!

1.5 oz vodka (use watermelon vodka for even more watermelon flavor)
1 oz. lime juice
.05 simple syrup
Fresh watermelon or watermelon juice
Prosecco or sparkling wine of your choice
Ice

Combine vodka, lime juice, syrup, and watermelon in a cocktail shaker. Muddle watermelon if using fresh watermelon. Shake. Pour into a wine glass and top with Prosecco or sparkling wine. Serve with ice. For a mocktail, skip the vodka and Prosecco and use sparkling grape juice.