Refreshing Summer Cocktails

Updated May 01, 2008
Credit: Greg DuPree

Trade your signature drink for a refreshing summer sipper. Don't forget the tiny umbrella!

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Cucumber-Lime Infused Gin and Tonic

Credit: Jennifer Causey Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

Cucumber-Lime Infused Gin and Tonic Recipe

The crisp mixture of cucumber and lime is made complete with a splash of gin and tonic for the ultimate summertime sipper.

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Berry Limoncello

Credit: Caitlin Bensel Styling: Lindsey Lower

Berry Limoncello Recipe

Raspberries and strawberries really brighten up the flavors in one this berry cocktail. Serve it up at a party for a perfectly summery and refreshing sip.

Sugars 18g (est. added sugars 17g)

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Blackberry Pisco Sours

Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Blackberry Pisco Sours Recipe

Pisco is a South American grape brandy popular in Peru and Chile. If you can't find it in your area, feel free to substitute white tequila, grappa, or vodka. Don't be alarmed by the strength of this new classic; it's a cocktail that's meant to be sipped and savored.

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Thai Basil-Ginger Spritzer

Credit: Alison Miksch; Styling: Claire Spollen

Thai Basil-Ginger Spritzer Recipe

Paired with peppery ginger, the anise flavor of Thai basil gives you a highly refreshing summer sipper.

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Marionberry Mojito

Credit: Neil Dacosta

Marionberry Mojito Recipe

Exceptionally juicy and slightly tart, marionberries are perfect for this fizzy summer refresher. You can also use regular blackberries.

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Orange-Infused Rum Gimlets

Credit: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Orange-Infused Rum Gimlets Recipe

If you enjoy fruity and light, this refreshing summer cocktail is your new BFF.

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Mai Tai

Credit: Nina Choi

Mai Tai Tout

This classic rum-based cocktail recipe, infused with the citrus flavors of orange curaçao, orange juice, and lime juice, is the perfect drink to enjoy at the beach–or when you're dreaming of being there.

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Bottled Negronis

Credit: Robbie Caponetto; Styling: Claire Spollen

Bottled Negronis Recipe

Paired with peppery ginger, the anise flavor of Thai basil gives you a highly refreshing summer sipper.

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Kane's Peppery Bloody Mary

Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Rose Nguyen

Kane's Peppery Bloody Mary Tout

It's hard to beat the spicy bite of a good bloody mary on warm summer mornings. Seasoned with fresh basil, cilantro, and chives, this drink received the highest rating from Southern Living's test kitchen.

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Sparkling Elderflower Lemonade

Credit: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Sparkling Elderflower Lemonade Recipe

Serve this sparkling lemonade as the perfect, thirst-quenching cocktail for a summer celebration. Elderflower liqueur is sweet, delicate, and floral, like nectar from a spring bouquet.

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Garden Cocktail

Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck

Garden Cocktail Recipe

This fresh summer cocktail is a fun spin on the classic Bloody Mary.

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Watermelon-Lime Soda

Watermelon-Lime Soda Recipe

Watermelon and lime pair beautifully in this exceptionally cool cocktail. Zingy ginger is the secret ingredient that will make people ask, "What tastes SO good in here?"

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How to Make Pisco Sour

This creamy, frothy cocktail is best served poolside—and by the pitcher.

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Sparkling Sangria

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Jan Gautro

Sparkling Sangria Recipe

Flavor this cava-and-brandy-based sangria with blueberries, cherries, raspberries, strawberries, nectarine, and apricot nectar for a sweet summer cocktail that tastes as good as it looks.

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Mojito Cooler

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Missy Neville Crawford

Mojito Cooler Recipe

Five ingredients are just a few minutes of prep time are all that stand between you and this refreshing classic cocktail.

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Fritz's Sonoran Sunset

Credit: Thomas J. Story

Fritz's Sonoran Sunset Recipe

Prickly pear syrup adds a sweet note to the grapefruit and tequila mixture. If your local store doesn't carry prickly pear syrup, you can order it online or substitute grenadine.

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Pomegranate-Key Lime Vodka Cocktails

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Jan Gautro; Leigh Ann Ross

Pomegranate-Key Lime Vodka Cocktails Recipe

Marry the flavors of pomegranate and Key lime for a light, fizzy cocktail that not only looks beautiful, but also tastes delicious.

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Ultimate Rum Punch

Credit: Howard L. Puckett

Ultimate Rum Punch Recipe

Bring the flavor of the Caribbean to your backyard barbecue with this festive concoction. Golden rum and coconut rum combine with apricot brandy and the juices of pineapples, oranges, and grapefruits. Garnish this summer-in-a-glass cocktail with lime wedges.

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Planter's Punch

Credit: Randy Mayor; Jan Gautro

Planter's Punch Recipe

Welcome guests with the traditional greeting drink of the Caribbean. Use fresh juices, and let guests garnish according to their preferences–sliced pineapple, cinnamon sticks, cherries, and a sprinkle of nutmeg are a few of our favorite toppers.

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Blackberry Cocktail

Credit: Jim Franco; Styling: Scott Martin

Blackberry Cocktail Recipe

Combine fresh blackberries, cucumber slices, lime juice, gin, club soda, sugar, and fresh mint for an ultra-summery, fruity escape.

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Honeydew Mimosas

Honeydew Mimosas Recipe

Use a traditional breakfast fruit as the base for this frosty sipper. Blend the melon with ice and sugar, then mix with a bottle of sparkling wine for a refreshing summer combo.

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Tequila Mojitos

Tequila Mojitos Recipe

Spiff up the classic mojito by substituting tequila for rum in this guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Our online reviewers had one unanimous note: Double the recipe!

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Blueberry Thrill

Credit: Anna Williams; Styling: Pam Morris

Blueberry Thrill Recipe

Sweet blueberries infuse spicy gin for summer's most refreshing cocktail sipper. For a fizzy cocktail, pour gin, cardamom syrup, and lemon juice over crushed ice in a glass; top with chilled club soda.

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Watermelon-Mint Margarita

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Lindsey Lower

Watermelon-Mint Margarita Recipe

Try a new twist on a classic margarita with watermelon and mint flavors.

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How to Make Pimm's Cup

This thirst-quenching cocktail is best suited for a summer afternoon spent poolside.

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Strawberry Hibiscus Cooler

Credit: Iain Bagwell

Strawberry Hibiscus Cooler Recipe

With or without the vodka, this sweet-tart drink deserves a spot at brunch.

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Lemon-Mint Sparklers

Credit: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Lemon-Mint Sparklers Recipe

This refreshing summer drink is great with or without bourbon. Make a non-alcoholic batch for the kids, then use leftover simple syrup to whip up a boozy version for the adults in your crowd.

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Basil Tonics

Credit: Buff Strickland; Styling: Olga Naiman

Basil Tonics Recipe

Vodka, fresh basil, simple syrup, and tonic water are all you need for these refreshingly easy cocktails. They're also a wonderful way to use basil leaves from an herb garden.

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Sweet Heat Arnold Palmer

Credit: Jennifer Causey Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

Sweet Heat Arnold Palmer Recipe

The trick to layering beverages is to add liquids to the glass in order of most to least dense. We put most of the sugar into the lemonade (the denser liquid)­, so be sure to swirl before swigging.

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Mint Julep Sweet Tea

Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lydia DeGaris Pursell

Mint Julep Sweet Tea Recipe

This iced cocktail features combines the best of two classic Southern drinks: the mint julep and sweet tea.

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Seaside Sunrise

Credit: Jennifer Davick; Stylist: Linda Hirst

Seaside Sunrise Recipe

Take it to the beach! Blend bright juices and passion fruit rum, and then top with bubbly for a tropical twist on a mimosa.

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Vera Kollans Cocktails

Credit: Brain Woodcock; Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

Vera Kollans Cocktails Recipe

This drink is Greg Best's twist on the classic fizzy lemonade cocktail, Tom Collins.

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Limoncello Mojito

Credit: Jennifer Davick; Stylist: Linda Hirst

Limoncello Mojito Recipe

Combine lemon juice, mint, and Limoncello (lemon liqueur) to create this fresh summer mojito.

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