Refreshing Summer Cocktails

May 01, 2008
Photo: 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

Photo: 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

Photo: 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

Photo: 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

Photo: 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

Photo: 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

Photo: 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

Photo: Nina Choi
Mai Tai Recipe
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

Photo: 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

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Rose Nguyen
Kane's Peppery Bloody Mary Recipe
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

Photo: 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

Photo: 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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Pisco Sour

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

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Sparkling Sangria

Photo: 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

Photo: 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

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

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

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

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

Photo: 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

Photo: 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

Photo: 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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Pimm's Cup

Pimm's Cup
This thirst-quenching cocktail is best suited for a summer afternoon spent poolside.

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Strawberry Hibiscus Cooler

Photo: 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

Photo: 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

Photo: 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

Photo: 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

Photo: 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

Photo: 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

Photo: 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

Photo: 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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The SL Mint Julep

Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
The SL Mint Julep Recipe
Our go-to recipe for the quintessential Derby-day drink

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Dark 'n Stormy®

Photo: Robbie Caponetto; Styling: Linda Hirst, Rachael Burrow
Dark 'n Stormy® Recipe
Add rum and ginger beer to an ice-filled highball glass, stirring to combine. Garnish with a sugar cane stick and a lime wedge.

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