25 Refreshing Summer Drinks

Beat the heat with this cool summer drinks, from blended fruit drinks to creative twists on classic lemonade.


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How to Make Lemonade
How to Make a Smoothie
June Bug

Ginger ale, grenadine, orange juice, and sherbet are blended for a refreshing summer drink.

Makes: 4 servings
Start to Finish: 5 mins
Watermelon Martinis

Fresh watermelon blended with lemon vodka, lime juice, and Cointreau makes a refreshing drink.

Yield: 6 large martinis
Start to Finish: 20 mins
Electric Lemonade

Fresh mint and lemon juice brightens this tangy cocktail.

Makes: 4 servings
Start to Finish: 25 mins
How to Make Lemonade

The one must-do secret to lemonade? It's simple and we show you how (and trust us, it makes a difference!).

Ginger Peach Margaritas

For a delicious cocktail, combine fresh peach puree, ginger syrup, lime juice, peach juice, tequila, and Triple Sec.

Yield: 8 generous margaritas
Start to Finish: 10 mins
Pisco Sour

This cool cocktail gets a burst of fresh flavor from lime and mint. For a nonalcoholic version, replace the pisco with sparkling water.

Makes: 4 servings
Fresh Melon Quenchers

Pureed fruit blended with ice and sparkling water makes a refreshing summer drink. A spoonful of yogurt adds creaminess, while a skewer of fresh fruit makes a pretty garnish.

Makes: 1 servings
Prep: 10 mins
How to Make a Smoothie

Watch our video for our simple formula for great smoothies every time -- no matter which fruits you love!

Watermelon Cooler Punch

Blended watermelon combined with white grape juice, lime juice, sugar, mint, and club soda makes a refreshing summer drink.

Makes: 9 servings
Start to Finish: 15 mins
Blackberry Sangria

This bright sangria, sweetened with a summer-ripe blackberry syrup, will inspire guests to linger for one more glass. Sprigs of fresh basil make a beautiful garnish.

Makes: 26 servings
Yield: 13 cups
Prep: 20 mins
Chill: 4 hrs
Sparkling Peach Punch

Impress party guests with this fizzy drink featuring peach nectar, fresh peach slices, lemon juice, and ginger ale.

Makes: 24 servings
Prep: 20 mins
Freeze: overnight
Stand: 1 hr
Sunset Sangria

In this special twist on classic sangria, ruby-red wine floats atop pale green limeade. To get this two-tone effect, gently pour the wine on top of the limeade in the glass.

Makes: 6 servings
Prep: 25 mins
Chill: 2 hrs
Cucumber Agua Fresca

This recipe for agua fresca (which is Spanish for "fresh water") is sweetened and flavored with fresh mint, cucumber, and lime.

Makes: 6 servings
Prep: 15 mins
Ginger Pineapple Punch

This cooler gets a double dose of ginger from grated fresh ginger as well as diet ginger ale.

Makes: 12 servings
Prep: 20 mins
Chill: 2 hrs to 24 hrs
Berry Mango Slush

Berry-flavored carbonated water and fresh summer fruits give this Berry Mango Slush plenty of sweetness without added sugar.

Peach-Mint Green Tea

Peach nectar and fresh mint add a twist to this lightly sweetened Peach-Mint Green Tea.

Makes: 5 servings
Prep: 10 mins
Chill: 2 hrs
Mock Sangria

When guests come over for a summer cookout, start off the festivities with this slimming three-fruit Mock Sangria served over ice. It only has 61 calories per serving.

Makes: 10 servings
Start to Finish: 15 mins
Minted Mango Tea

Add a sweet twist to iced tea with mango and mint when you make this minted mango tea recipe.

Makes: 6 servings
Prep: 10 mins
Cool: 1 hr
Summerberry Cooler

This luscious Summerberry Cooler thirst-quencher is loaded with summer strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries. For the best results, start with well-chilled fruit.

Chai Punch

Chai is a blend of tea, milk, and spices. Chai concentrate can be found in the tea section of the grocery store.

Makes: 10 servings
Prep: 10 mins
Chill: 4 hrs to 24 hrs
Strawberry Iced Tea

Especially in early spring, frozen strawberries are a great alternative to fresh in this Strawberry Iced Tea. Make sure you buy unsweetened berries.

Makes: 8 servings
Yield: 64 ounces
Prep: 25 mins
Cool: 2 hrs
Hit-the-Spot Lemon Water

You'll be amazed at the refreshing flavors that pop out when you soak lemons and fresh herbs in water for an hour or so. No sugar. Just pure, thirst-quenching goodness in this Hit-the-Spot Lemon Water.

Makes: 6 servings
Prep: 15 mins
Chill: 1 hr to 8 hrs
Minted Iced Tea

Liven up your outdoor entertaining -- or just refresh your family's thirst -- with this simple fruit-infused tea. Orange and lemon accompany the mint that flavors this summer iced tea.

Makes: 16 servings
Yield: 128 to 144 ounces
Prep: 20 mins
Chill: 4 hrs to 48 hrs
Cook: 15 mins
Madeline's Lemonade

What makes this lemonade particularly delicious is that it has a little lime juice in it, too.

Makes: 8 servings
Prep: 15 mins
Chill: overnight
Mulled Raspberry Tea

This tea drink tastes delicious and sparkles in a beautiful ruby color. Frozen raspberries (when fresh aren't in season) allow you to enjoy this fanciful tea any time of year. It's a nice change from the more common orange and spice variety.

Makes: 6 servings
Cook: 10 mins
Blueberry Fizz

This easy-to-make flavored ginger ale showcases blueberries, but also includes lemon, lime, and ginger. The longer the berries are in the ginger ale, the more they infuse the drink with flavor and color.

Makes: 12 servings
Prep: 20 mins
Chill: 2 hrs to 24 hrs
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