Thirsty Thursday: 7 Essential Summer Cocktails

By Bryan Kittman | June 13, 2019

For those summer days and nights that are just made better with a cold cocktail in hand, we’ve compiled some incredible drink recipes that you have to try out.

Wild Card

This drink has summer nights written all over it. Perfect for any warm evening.

Ingredients

• 1 oz Del Maguey ‘Vida’ mezcal
• .5 oz Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao
• 1 oz pineapple juice
• .5 oz yuzu juice
• .25 oz ginger juice
• .5 oz raspberry syrup
• Hefeweizen beer
• Raspberries

Instructions

Shake and strain, then top with hefeweizen beer and garnish with 3 skewered frozen raspberries. Serve with straw and thin rim of froth at the rim.

Blackberry Mojito

It doesn’t get much more refreshing than a mojito, and with added blackberries, you get a little extra hint of tang and sweetness.

Servings: 2

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup blackberries
• handful fresh mint leaves
• Juice of 2 limes
• 1 tsp. sugar
• 1/2 cup light rum
• Crushed ice
• club soda

Instructions

1. Combine blackberries in small bowl and gently muddle
2. Place leaves in bottom of drinking glass, then spoon an equal portion of blackberry mixture on top
3. Add rum, sugar, and lime juice and stir until thoroughly combined.
4. Top with crushed ice and another mint leaf

Sweet Tea Sangria

This classic favorite is given a sweet Southern-infusion, making it the perfect drink to sip on during summer.

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 750-ml. bottle white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc
• 4 cup sweet tea
• 1/4 cup triple sec
• 2 cup sliced frozen peaches
• 2 cup raspberries
• Fresh mint, for garnish

Directions

1. Combine wine, sweet tea, triple sec, frozen peaches, and raspberries in large pitcher
2. Stir until combined well, then refrigerate until chilled
3. Serve with a mint leave for garnish

Pina Colada Mimosas

The tropical vibes are strong with this cocktail, making it the perfect poolside drink to sip on.

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 c. sugar
• Pineapple wedge, for rimming glasses
• 1 c. pineapple juice
• 1/2 c. coconut rum
• 1 bottle prosecco
• Pineapple slices, for garnish
• Maraschino cherries, for garnish

Directions

1. Pour sugar into a small dish. Rim glasses with pineapple wedges, then dip into sugar
2. Pour ¼ cup pineapple juice and 2 ounces of coconut rum into champagne glass, then add a splash of prosecco
3. Garnish top with pineapple slice and a cherry

Rooftop Lemonade

This ultra crisp drink is the perfect adult take on lemonade.

Ingredients

• 2 oz. of high quality vodka
• 3 oz. fresh squeezed lemonade
• Cucumber slices
• Lemon wedges, for garnish

Directions

1. Shake vodka and lemonade thoroughly
2. Slice up cucumber and add in with mixture
3. Squeeze lemon in, then garnish with an extra wedge

Brunch rum punch

Rum is a quintessential summer liquor, and this drink seamlessly blends light and dark into a well-balanced, refreshing cocktail.

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup light rum
• 1/2 cup dark rum
• 3/4 cup fresh orange juice
• 3/4 cup pineapple juice
• 3/4 cup cranberry juice
• 2 tbsp. grenadine
• Ice
• Orange slice
• Seltzer, optional

Directions

1. Mix all liquids together in a large pitcher and stir well
2. Fill glasses with ice, then pour rum mixture in.
3. Garnish each glass with an orange slice

Blue Lagoon Margaritas

These margaritas have a cool blue appearance thanks to the Blue Curacao liqueur, which also gives it a nice citrusy flavor.

Ingredients

• 2 limes, sliced into wedges
• Coarse salt, for rimming glasses
• 1/4 c. Blue Curacao
• 3 oz. tequila
• 3 oz. triple sec
• 1/3 c. lime juice
• 1 can seltzer
• 2 c. ice

Directions

1. 1. Rim two glasses with lime and salt
2. Combine liquids into glasses and stir
3. Top with a spritz of seltzer, and garnish with a lime wedge