Summer calls for cocktails that refresh, cool, and dazzle. These 21 drinks are designed to make your summer gatherings unforgettable with their vibrant flavors and stunning presentations. Each cocktail comes with a brief history, ingredients, and instructions:
1. Tropical Paradise Punch
A vibrant punch that screams summer with every sip.
Inspired by the flavors of the tropics, perfect for large gatherings.
Ingredients:
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1 cup vodka
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1 cup pineapple juice
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1 cup orange juice
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1/2 cup grenadine
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1/4 cup lime juice
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1 liter ginger ale
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Sliced fruits (pineapple, orange, lime) for garnish
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Instructions:
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Mix all ingredients except ginger ale in a large punch bowl with ice.
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Just before serving, add ginger ale and give it a gentle stir.
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Garnish with sliced fruits.
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2. Watermelon Mojito
A twist on the classic mojito, infusing the essence of summer’s favorite fruit.
Watermelon adds a refreshing twist to this Cuban classic.
Ingredients:
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2 oz white rum
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1 cup watermelon cubes
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10 mint leaves
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1 oz lime juice
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1/2 oz simple syrup
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Club soda to top
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Mint sprig and watermelon slice for garnish
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Instructions:
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Muddle watermelon, mint, lime juice, and simple syrup in a glass.
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Add rum, fill with ice, top with club soda.
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Garnish with a mint sprig and watermelon slice.
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3. Blue Lagoon
A visually striking cocktail that evokes the clear waters of a summer lagoon.
Created in the 1960s at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris for its eye-catching appeal.
Ingredients:
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1 oz vodka
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1 oz blue curaçao
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4 oz lemonade
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Cherry and lemon slice for garnish
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Instructions:
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Fill a glass with ice.
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Pour in vodka and blue curaçao, then top with lemonade.
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Stir gently, garnish with a cherry and lemon slice.
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4. Pina Colada
The quintessential beach drink, creamy, sweet, and exotic.
Originated in Puerto Rico, this drink was named the official beverage in 1978.
Ingredients:
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2 oz white rum
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1 1/2 oz pineapple juice
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1 1/2 oz coconut cream
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1 cup crushed ice
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Pineapple wedge and cherry for garnish
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Instructions:
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Blend all ingredients until smooth.
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Pour into a hurricane glass.
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Garnish with a pineapple wedge and cherry.
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5. Cucumber Cooler
A cocktail that’s as refreshing as a cool cucumber slice on a hot day.
Cucumber is used for its cooling properties, making this drink ideal for summer.
Ingredients:
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2 oz gin
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1 oz lime juice
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1/2 oz simple syrup
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4 slices cucumber
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Mint leaves
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Club soda to top
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Cucumber ribbon for garnish
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Instructions:
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Muddle cucumber slices and mint with lime juice and simple syrup in a shaker.
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Add gin, shake with ice.
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Strain into a glass with ice, top with club soda.
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Garnish with a cucumber ribbon.
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6. Mango Tango
A dance of flavors with the sweet and tangy notes of mango.
Mango’s summery vibe makes this cocktail a hit at any poolside party.
Ingredients:
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2 oz tequila
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1 oz mango puree
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1/2 oz lime juice
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1/2 oz triple sec
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Tajin or salt for rimming
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Mango slice for garnish
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Instructions:
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Rim a glass with Tajin or salt.
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Shake tequila, mango puree, lime juice, and triple sec with ice.
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Strain into the prepared glass with ice, garnish with a mango slice.
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7. Summer Breeze Sangria
A light and fruity sangria, perfect for sipping on a warm evening.
Sangria gets a summer makeover with seasonal fruits.
Ingredients:
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1 bottle white wine
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1/2 cup peach schnapps
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2 peaches, sliced
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1 lemon, sliced
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1 orange, sliced
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1 cup strawberries, sliced
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1 cup soda water
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Instructions:
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Combine all ingredients except soda water in a pitcher.
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Chill for at least 2 hours.
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Add soda water just before serving over ice.
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8. Passion Fruit Martini
A seductive cocktail that combines passion fruit’s exotic flavor with vodka’s kick.
Popular in England, this martini is known for its passion fruit caviar garnish.
Ingredients:
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2 oz vodka
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1 oz passion fruit puree
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1/2 oz vanilla syrup
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1/2 oz lime juice
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Passion fruit seeds for garnish
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Instructions:
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Shake all ingredients with ice.
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Strain into a chilled martini glass.
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Garnish with a spoonful of passion fruit seeds.
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9. Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri
A frozen delight that’s both sweet and tart, capturing summer’s berry bounty.
A classic Cuban drink turned into a frosty summer treat.
Ingredients:
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2 oz white rum
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1 cup frozen strawberries
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1 oz lime juice
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1/2 oz simple syrup
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Strawberry for garnish
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Instructions:
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Blend all ingredients until smooth.
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Pour into a chilled glass.
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Garnish with a fresh strawberry.
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10. 
A refreshing twist on the classic Paloma, spotlighting grapefruit’s zest.
The Paloma is Mexico’s favorite cocktail; this version highlights grapefruit.
Ingredients:
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2 oz tequila
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1 oz grapefruit juice
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1/2 oz lime juice
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Pinch of salt
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Grapefruit soda to top
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Grapefruit slice for garnish
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Instructions:
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Fill a glass with ice.
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Add tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and salt.
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Top with grapefruit soda, stir gently.
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Garnish with a grapefruit slice.
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11. Hibiscus Cooler
A drink that brings the floral, tart taste of hibiscus to the forefront.
Hibiscus tea is used for its cooling and refreshing properties in many cultures.
Ingredients:
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2 oz vodka
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1 oz hibiscus tea syrup
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1 oz lemon juice
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Club soda to top
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Edible flower for garnish
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Instructions:
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Shake vodka, hibiscus syrup, and lemon juice with ice.
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Strain into a glass with ice, top with club soda.
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Garnish with an edible flower.
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12. Lychee Martini
A sophisticated cocktail that introduces the sweet, floral taste of lychee.
Popular in Asian-inspired cocktail menus, known for its elegance.
Ingredients:
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2 oz vodka
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1 oz lychee juice or syrup
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1/2 oz lime juice
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Lychee for garnish
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Instructions:
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Shake all ingredients with ice.
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Strain into a chilled martini glass.
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Garnish with one or two lychees.
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13. Blueberry Basil Lemonade
A cocktail that combines the freshness of basil with the sweetness of blueberries.
A modern twist on lemonade, using blueberries for color and flavor.
Ingredients:
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2 oz vodka
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1 oz blueberry puree
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1 oz lemon juice
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1/2 oz simple syrup
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4-5 basil leaves
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Lemon wheel and blueberry for garnish
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Instructions:
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Muddle basil with lemon juice and simple syrup in a shaker.
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Add vodka and blueberry puree, shake with ice.
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Strain into a glass with ice, garnish with a lemon wheel and blueberry.
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14. Tequila Sunrise
A drink with a sunrise-like gradient, perfect for early summer mornings.
Created in the 1970s in California, it’s known for its beautiful layers.
Ingredients:
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2 oz tequila
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4 oz orange juice
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1/2 oz grenadine
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Orange slice and cherry for garnish
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Instructions:
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Fill a glass with ice, pour in tequila and orange juice.
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Slowly pour grenadine down the side for the sunrise effect.
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Garnish with an orange slice and cherry.
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15. Raspberry Limoncello Prosecco
A bubbly, fruity delight that combines the zesty with the sweet.
Limoncello, an Italian liqueur, pairs wonderfully with prosecco and raspberries.
Ingredients:
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1 oz limoncello
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1 oz raspberry puree
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Prosecco to top
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Fresh raspberries for garnish
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Instructions:
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Pour limoncello and raspberry puree into a flute.
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Top with prosecco.
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Garnish with fresh raspberries.
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16. Spicy Pineapple Margarita
A fiery twist on the margarita, adding a kick to the tropical sweetness of pineapple.
Jalapeño adds a modern, spicy edge to this classic cocktail.
Ingredients:
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2 oz tequila
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1 oz pineapple juice
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1/2 oz lime juice
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1 slice jalapeño (with or without seeds for desired heat)
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1/2 oz triple sec
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Tajin or salt for rimming
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Pineapple wedge for garnish
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Instructions:
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Muddle the jalapeño slice in a shaker.
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Add tequila, pineapple juice, lime juice, and triple sec, shake with ice.
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Rim a glass with Tajin or salt, strain the cocktail into the glass over fresh ice.
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Garnish with a pineapple wedge.
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17. Coconut Water Cocktail
A hydrating and refreshing drink, perfect for those hot summer days.
Coconut water has become popular for its hydrating properties in cocktails.
Ingredients:
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2 oz rum
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4 oz coconut water
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1 oz lime juice
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1/2 oz simple syrup
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Mint leaves for garnish
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Instructions:
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In a glass with ice, combine rum, coconut water, lime juice, and simple syrup.
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Stir well.
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Garnish with mint leaves.
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18. Peach Bourbon Smash
A cocktail that brings the taste of summer peaches with a bourbon twist.
Smashes are beloved for their fresh ingredients, and peaches are a summer staple.
Ingredients:
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2 oz bourbon
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1 oz peach nectar or puree
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1/2 oz lemon juice
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1/2 oz simple syrup
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4-5 mint leaves
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Peach slice and mint sprig for garnish
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Instructions:
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Muddle mint with lemon juice and simple syrup in a shaker.
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Add bourbon and peach nectar, shake with ice.
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Strain into a glass with ice, garnish with a peach slice and mint sprig.
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19. Rose Sangria
A floral take on sangria, using rose wine for a lighter, more delicate flavor.
Rose wine’s popularity has led to its use in sangria, adding a romantic touch.
Ingredients:
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1 bottle rose wine
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1/2 cup brandy
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1/4 cup orange liqueur
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1 cup sliced strawberries
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1 peach, sliced
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1 lemon, sliced
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1 cup soda water
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Instructions:
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Combine all ingredients except soda water in a pitcher.
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Chill for at least 2 hours.
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Add soda water before serving over ice.
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20. Kiwi Colada
A twist on the classic Pina Colada, introducing kiwi for a vibrant green color and tartness.
Kiwi adds a unique flavor and color to the traditional colada.
Ingredients:
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2 oz rum
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1 oz coconut cream
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1 oz pineapple juice
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1 kiwi, peeled and sliced
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1/2 cup crushed ice
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Kiwi slice for garnish
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Instructions:
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Blend rum, coconut cream, pineapple juice, kiwi, and ice until smooth.
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Pour into a glass.
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Garnish with a slice of kiwi.
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21. Lavender Lemonade Spritzer
A soothing, aromatic drink that combines the calming scent of lavender with the zesty freshness of lemonade.
Lavender lemonade has become a summer favorite for its calming and refreshing qualities.
Ingredients:
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2 oz vodka
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1 oz lavender syrup
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1 oz lemon juice
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Club soda to top
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Lavender sprig and lemon wheel for garnish
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Instructions:
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Shake vodka, lavender syrup, and lemon juice with ice.
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Strain into a glass with ice, top with club soda.
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Garnish with a lavender sprig and lemon wheel.
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These 21 jaw-dropping summer cocktails are sure to make any hot day feel like a celebration. From vibrant punches to sophisticated martinis, there’s something here to suit every taste and occasion. Enjoy responsibly and let these drinks be the highlight of your summer gatherings!
