25 Summer Cocktail Recipes That Put the Fresh in Refreshing

This delightfully pink spicy watermelon sangria packs rosé, brandy, and Grand Marnier — plus in-season watermelon and strawberries — to make for a sweet and fruity but potent summer sangria.

The sea breeze is the light summer cocktail of your dreams. You've got an easy vodka cranberry, but with the addition of some tart grapefruit to give it a bright citrusy twist.

Berries are one of the best parts of summer produce, and this blackberry champagne mule embraces the sweet, tangy blackberry as its main flavor. Touches of mint and lime, plus champagne and vodka, make for a light and bright cocktail perfect for summer days.

Nothing says summer like a frozen cocktail! So get going on this frosé strawberry daiquiri that's packed with sweet berries and infused with rosé.

This strawberry watermelon mimosa with basil lemonade blends some of the most popular flavors from the warmer months of the year: lemonade, berries, and watermelon. It's a new twist on the ever-popular mimosa formula, and it's definitely one to remember! As a bonus, you can also sip on the nonalcoholic lemonade over ice if you're choosing to go dry.

We all love a good mimosa, but have you ever tried switching up the fruit flavors? Instead of an orange juice base, this fresh and tropical mango mimosa.

It's all the tropical goodness of your favorite piña colada, but with a delicious herbal twist. This basil smash piña colada brings together citrus and coconut flavors with just the right amount of refreshing basil to make it unique.

You've probably had ambrosia salad at a family get-together at some point, right? This fruity, creamy ambrosia spiced rum cocktail takes it to the next level, full of tropical flavors and delicious spiced rum.

The popular paloma cocktail gets a summer berry twist in this blackberry paloma recipe. Lime and grapefruit support the sweet blackberries and add tang, all with a splash of tequila.

Traditional margaritas are a go-to summer cocktail for a reason. This blood orange margarita adds a pop of color and a new flavor that you can add to your rotation. Trust, it tastes as good as it looks.

Blueberry and lemon is one of the most delicious fruit combinations, and it's the backbone of this blueberry lemon thyme smash. This summer bourbon cocktail also includes thyme and sparkling water for a bubbly finish.

Sober curious? Not all summer cocktails have to be alcoholic. This cranberry blood orange nonalcoholic sangria packs tons of flavor from the blood orange and cranberry, without any alcohol.

This fizzy, bubbly strawberry champagne cocktail has all the lightness of a mimosa, plus pretty pink strawberry puree. It's perfect to serve at a brunch or early-afternoon happy hour.

Not only is this fiery golden mango tonic tasty, but it also has some good-for-you ingredients. Along with the mango and vodka, there's turmeric, ginger, and chamomile tea. You can even leave out the vodka for a healthy, nonalcoholic drink.

Nothing's prettier than this fruity, fresh strawberry margarita. Grab a glass, add plenty of ice, and let the summer feelings just wash over you.

Maybe you haven't thought about watermelon, tequila, and rosé all together before, but you definitely will after you try this watermelon rosé paloma. The cocktail is finished off with a lime-chili salt rim for an extra kick.

If you're not already a fan of Campari, a bitter Italian apéritif, this Campari sangria will make you one. Combine the liqueur with rosé and fresh fruit to make a refreshing pitcher for the perfect summer afternoon.

No list of summer cocktails would be complete without a mojito. This classic mojito recipe nods to the drink's heritage in Havana and requires just five simple ingredients.

If you haven't ventured into the world of elderflower cocktails, now is the perfect time to expand your horizons. Start with this St. Germain margarita, a simple, three-ingredient drink that's easy to make and delicious to drink.

Celebrate the '20s with this Jazz Age summer gin cocktail! As you might guess from the name, the bee's knees is sweetened with honey and combined with gin and lemon for a light and fun speakeasy feel.

Hibiscus tea is the foundation for this orange hibiscus mai tai, along with two kinds of fruit juice, some rum, and a squeeze of lime.

Spritzes are a summer staple, and we're all for finding new combinations to put inside. This balsamic peach spritz uses a dash of balsamic vinegar for an unexpected flavor note that pairs surprisingly well with peach and Prosecco.

Punch up your average margarita with this spicy twist on the classic beverage. Jalapeño peppers are the key ingredient to add an extra kick to this jalapeño margarita.

Watermelon is a classic summer cocktail ingredient,, but have you ever blended it with honeysuckle? We don't mean actual honeysuckle; this refreshing honeysuckle watermelon cocktail uses honeysuckle-flavored vodka to evoke the sweet floral nectar.

Frozen drinks are a must-have during summer. This peach wine slushy is made with fresh or frozen peaches and white wine — and that's it!