12 Easy Summer Cocktail Recipes

Refreshing Summer Cocktails to Enjoy Summer 2025 🍹

Hosting this summer? Whether it’s a backyard bash, wedding welcome party, or casual get-together, we’ve mixed up the perfect list of cocktails. These aren’t just Pinterest-pretty. These are bartender-tested, guest-approved, and optimized for flavor, fun, and ease.

At Bartend Long Island, we craft drinks for hundreds of private events. We’re sharing not just recipes—but tricks we use at real cocktail parties.

Get the same professional tools we do at CocktailCraftCo if you want to try making these recipes at home.

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🍸 How to Use This Guide

Each recipe includes:

• Quick overview
• Exact ingredients
• Real event tips (how we batch it, serve it, or tweak it)
• FAQs from clients or curious guests

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1. Classic Mojito

Description: A Cuban classic combining fresh mint, lime juice, sugar, rum, and soda water for a refreshing summer drink.

Tips from Real Events: We pre-muddle mint + lime juice in batches so we’re not doing it to order. Keeps things clean and consistent.

FAQs:

• Can I use brown sugar? Yes, but it changes the flavor. Stick to white for clarity and balance.
• Best rum? Any white rum works, but we like Bacardí or Havana Club.

Ingredients:

• 10 fresh mint leaves
• 1/2 lime, cut into 4 wedges
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 cup ice cubes
• 1 1/2 ounces white rum
• 1/2 cup club soda

Instructions:

1. Place mint leaves and 1 lime wedge into a sturdy glass. Use a muddler to crush the mint and lime to release the mint oils and lime juice.
2. Add 2 more lime wedges and the sugar, and muddle again to release the lime juice.
3. Do not strain the mixture. Fill the glass almost to the top with ice.
4. Pour the rum over the ice, and fill the glass with club soda.
5. Stir, taste, and add more sugar if desired.
6. Garnish with the remaining lime wedge.

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2. Aperol Spritz

Description: A popular Italian aperitif that’s light, bubbly, and perfect for summer evenings.

Tips from Real Events: We serve these in wine glasses with a big orange slice. Easy to batch in pitchers.

FAQs:

• Can I make it non-alcoholic? Use sparkling water and blood orange soda.
• What’s the correct ratio? 3 parts Prosecco, 2 Aperol, 1 soda.

Ingredients:

• 3 parts Prosecco
• 2 parts Aperol
• 1 part soda water
• Orange slice for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a wine glass with ice.
2. Add Prosecco, Aperol, and soda water.
3. Stir gently to combine.
4. Garnish with an orange slice.

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3. Margarita with Tajín

Description: A zesty twist on the classic margarita, featuring a Tajín-rimmed glass for an extra kick.

Tips from Real Events: Guests love Tajín. We batch the base and rim glasses in advance to save time.

FAQs:

• Can I skip agave? Yes—use simple syrup or go with orange juice and seltzer for a skinny margarita.

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces tequila
• 1 ounce triple sec
• 1 ounce fresh lime juice
• 1/2 ounce agave syrup (optional)
• Tajín seasoning
• Lime wedge for garnish

Instructions:

1. Rim a glass with lime juice and dip into Tajín seasoning.
2. In a shaker, combine tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and agave syrup with ice.
3. Shake well and strain into the prepared glass over fresh ice.
4. Garnish with a lime wedge.

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📌 Save Your Faves on Pinterest

Summer cocktails worth remembering. Tap a recipe below to pin it to your board:

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4. Cucumber Gin Cooler

Description: A light and refreshing cocktail combining gin, cucumber, and lime.

Tips from Real Events: Great for spa parties and bridal showers. Looks elegant and easy to garnish.

FAQs:

• Can I muddle ahead of time? Yes—just strain before serving.

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces gin
• 4 cucumber slices
• 1/2 ounce lime juice
• 1/2 ounce simple syrup
• Soda water
• Cucumber slice for garnish

Instructions:

1. Muddle cucumber slices in a shaker.
2. Add gin, lime juice, simple syrup, and ice.
3. Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice.
4. Top with soda water and garnish with a cucumber slice.

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5. Watermelon Breeze

Description: A fruity and refreshing cocktail perfect for hot summer days.

Tips from Real Events: We freeze watermelon cubes for garnish and chill.

FAQs:

• Can I make it in a blender? Yes, then strain if you want it smoother.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh watermelon chunks
• 1 ounce basil simple syrup
• 2 ounces vodka
• 1/2 ounce lime juice
• Basil leaf for garnish

Instructions:

1. Blend watermelon chunks until smooth.
2. In a shaker, combine watermelon juice, basil simple syrup, vodka, and lime juice with ice.
3. Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice.
4. Garnish with a basil leaf.

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6. Piña Colada

Description: A tropical favorite blending pineapple and coconut flavors.

Tips from Real Events: We blend in bulk, then store in insulated jugs for events.

FAQs:

• Can I use canned juice? Yes, just avoid anything “from concentrate.”

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces white rum
• 1 ounce coconut cream
• 1 ounce heavy cream
• 6 ounces fresh pineapple juice
• 1/2 cup crushed ice
• Pineapple slice and cherry for garnish

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
2. Pour into a chilled glass.
3. Garnish with a pineapple slice and cherry.

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7. Sex on the Beach

Description: A fruity and colorful cocktail that’s easy to make and enjoy.

Tips from Real Events: We serve this with beachy names at bachelorettes. Add a mini umbrella.

FAQs:

• Can I batch it? Yes—just stir before pouring.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 ounces vodka
• 1/2 ounce peach schnapps
• 2 ounces orange juice
• 2 ounces cranberry juice
• Orange slice and cherry for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Add vodka and peach schnapps.
3. Pour in orange juice and top with cranberry juice.
4. Stir gently and garnish with an orange slice and cherry.

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8. Bee’s Knees

Description: A Prohibition-era cocktail combining gin, honey, and lemon.

Tips from Real Events: Elegant in a coupe glass. Guests love hearing it’s from the Prohibition era.

FAQs:

• How do I make honey syrup? 1:1 honey and warm water.

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces gin
• 3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 ounce honey syrup (equal parts honey and water)
• Lemon twist for garnish

Instructions:

1. Combine gin, lemon juice, and honey syrup in a shaker with ice.
2. Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
3. Garnish with a lemon twist.

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9. Paloma

Description: A refreshing Mexican cocktail featuring tequila and grapefruit.

Tips from Real Events: Great for big groups. Rim only a few glasses—not everyone wants salt.

FAQs:

• Best grapefruit soda? Jarritos or Fever-Tree.

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces tequila
• 1/2 ounce lime juice
• Pinch of salt
• Grapefruit soda
• Lime wedge for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Add tequila, lime juice, and a pinch of salt.
3. Top with grapefruit soda.
4. Stir gently and garnish with a lime wedge.

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10. Blueberry Mint Lemonade (Spiked or Not)

Description: A versatile drink that can be enjoyed with or without alcohol.

Tips from Real Events: This is our go-to for daytime events. Can easily be made alcohol-free.

FAQs:

• Can I use frozen berries? Absolutely—just muddle longer.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
• 6 fresh mint leaves
• 1 ounce simple syrup
• 2 ounces lemon juice
• 2 ounces vodka (optional)
• Soda water
• Mint sprig and lemon wheel for garnish

Instructions:

1. Muddle blueberries and mint leaves in a shaker.
2. Add simple syrup, lemon juice, and vodka (if using) with ice.
3. Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice.
4. Top with soda water and garnish with a mint sprig and lemon wheel.

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11. Rosé Spritz

Description: A light and bubbly cocktail perfect for summer brunches.

Tips from Real Events: Looks stunning with edible flowers. Elegant option for baby showers or brunches.

FAQs:

• Can I use sparkling rosé? Yes—just skip the soda

Ingredients:

• 3 ounces dry rosé wine
• 1 ounce elderflower liqueur
• 1 ounce soda water
• Strawberry slice for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a wine glass with ice.
2. Add rosé wine and elderflower liqueur.
3. Top with soda water.
4. Stir gently and garnish with a fresh strawberry or edible flower for an elevated finish.

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12. Strawberry Daiquiri

Description: A fruity, frozen classic that screams summer. Refreshing, simple, and perfect for parties.

Tips from Real Events: We blend fresh batches and pour into insulated containers.

FAQs:

• Can I use frozen strawberries? Yes—it actually works better for texture.

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces white rum
• 1 ounce fresh lime juice
• 1/2 ounce simple syrup
• 4–5 fresh or frozen strawberries
• Ice
• Lime wheel or strawberry for garnish

Instructions:

1. Combine rum, lime juice, simple syrup, strawberries, and ice in a blender.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Pour into a chilled cocktail or hurricane glass.
4. Garnish with a lime wheel or strawberry.

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☕️ Bonus: Espresso Martini

Description: Cold, bold, and having a moment. The perfect post-dinner cocktail for summer nights.

Tips from Real Events: Perfect as a signature “last call” drink. Shake hard for foam.

FAQs:

• Can I use cold brew? Yes, but espresso has a richer crema.

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces vodka
• 1 ounce coffee liqueur
• 1 ounce fresh espresso
• 1/4 ounce simple syrup
• Coffee beans for garnish

Instructions:

1. Combine vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso, and syrup in a shaker with ice.
2. Shake vigorously until frothy.
3. Strain into a chilled martini glass.
4. Garnish with 3 coffee beans.

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📦 Where to Get the Right Bartending Tools

Make it professional with barware from CocktailCraftCo.com:

• Shaker sets
• Jiggers & muddlers
• Glassware
• Travel bar bags

Perfect for gifting or upgrading your summer hosting game.

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🍹 Make It Look Professional

To truly bring the bar home, gear up with:

• Cocktail shakers, jiggers & muddlers
• Premium glassware for summer cocktails
• Cutting boards & bar tools

Whether you’re mixing for a group or sipping solo, the right tools matter.

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🌴 Learn From the Pros

Want to level up beyond recipes? Join one of our bartending classes or hire us for your next event to see these drinks served with flair.

We’re also adding more seasonal cocktail posts all summer long.

Ready to Create Your Own Summer Cocktail Menu?

Stock up with tools from CocktailCraftCo.com, or book a bartender for your next backyard bash.

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Frequently asked questions about the best summer cocktail recipes

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