32 Refreshing Summer Drink Recipes to Beat the Heat

Cucumber-Watermelon Sangria

This is the refreshing summer drink to serve on the hottest days of the year. Cucumber and watermelon (two of the most hydrating foods on the planet) make this homemade drink for summer the ultimate thirst-quencher. Dress up each glass of white wine sangria with a few watermelon balls, cucumber slices, and lime slices to give a hint at the flavors to come.

Avocado Margaritas

With avocado, jalapeño, cilantro, and lime, these margaritas showcase everything you love about guacamole in a sweeter, sippable package. Rather than plain salt, rim the glasses with chile-lime salt for a fitting kick.

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Strawberry Gin Slushies

Gin and juice gets a slushy spin in this icy, easy summer drink recipe. With strawberry sorbet and pureed fresh berries, the double dose of fruit eliminates the need for any additional sugar. Once you've mastered the base recipe, try the same ratio with any flavor of sorbet and chopped fruit.

Cucumber-Mint Refresher

If you don't own a juicer, you can whip up these healthy summer drinks in your blender. Just pour the mix through a sieve before serving so the spinach smoothies are sippable. If the melon doesn't make it sweet enough for you, add a spoonful of honey.

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Spicy Mezcal Pineapple Smoke Cocktail

If you haven't tried Mezcal yet, this is a great summer cocktail to get you acquainted. The agave-based liquor gives this cocktail a naturally smoky flavor. Combined with pineapple, serrano pepper, tamarind, and topped with mango sparkling water, it checks all the boxes for a spicy-sweet sip.

Watermelon-Berry Limeade

Blend up this easy summer drink in just 10 minutes when you're in a rush to cool off. The best part? Each hydrating glass of this coconut water mocktail counts as a serving of fruit!

Raspberry or Mango Spritz-Ade Cocktails

In this lighter, modern twist on a margarita, we cut the sweetness of the lemonade with a can of club soda. Customize the refreshing summer alcoholic drink with your favorite citrus on top of—and berries mixed into—the cocktails. Serve over ice, add a stir stick to keep the beverage well-blended, and enjoy.

Ginger Beer Shandy Floats

Rather than a root beer float this summer, try a ginger and regular beer one! For an additional grown-up touch, we start these refreshing summer drinks with muddled crystallized ginger. Freeze mason jars, beer mugs, or glasses for about two hours before building the floats to keep 'em nice and frosty for as long as possible.

Apple Cider Vinegar Drink

Muddled berries (pick any that look fresh at the market) star in this health-friendly tonic. They're mixed with apple cider vinegar and lemon juice for a tasty and healthy summer drink. For even more summer spirit, garnish with fresh basil or mint.

Rosé Cucumber Cooler

Fresh cucumbers are what your sangria has been missing. This refreshing summer alcoholic drink is proof! And even when it's not summer, you'll want to keep a bottle of St. Germain elderflower liqueur in your bar year-round to perk up any sangria recipe.

Summer Fruit Daiquiri

Mango, watermelon, peaches, strawberries—this icy fruit daiquiri has it all. Make this refreshing summer drink nonalcoholic for all to enjoy by substituting orange juice for the light rum. Craving a summer cocktail in the middle of winter? Follow this same daiquiri recipe using thawed, frozen fruit (then imagine your toes in the sand as you sip).

Cucumber-Grape Smash

There's no alcohol involved in this refreshing summer drink, but with how delicious it is, you won't care. Cooling cucumber, green grapes, and mint are blended together before getting topped off with ginger beer. It'll pair perfectly with your summer barbecue or day by the pool.

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Spicy Tomato Gin and Tonic

That's right, you have our permission to start your day with a refreshing summer cocktail! This gin and tonic take on a bloody mary is made for boozy brunches—and for summer. Cherry tomatoes and fresh dill, along with a hint of lime, will help you keep your cool despite a splash of hot sauce.

Sparkling Rosé Blueberry Float

Your favorite childhood drink just got an upgrade. This adult version features the perfect combo of bubbly rosé wine, icy blueberry granita, and creamy coconut gelato. The sparkling wine cuts through some of the scoops' sweetness for a perfectly-balanced homemade drink for summer.

Pink Rhubarb Lemonade

These ruby red homemade drinks for summer are perfect for the entire family. Pink lemonade and lemon-lime soda will please the kiddos, while a unique rhubarb reduction will entice the adults. Instead of a stir stick, serve each glass with a stalk of rhubarb that's trimmed to be a couple inches taller than the serving vessel.

Pineapple-Cinnamon Margaritas

Lime and pineapple team up for a double dose of tropical goodness in one glass. Extra flavor-boosters like a cinnamon-sugar rim and orange liqueur make these island-inspired cocktails taste like a treat. For a mocktail version, try orange juice instead of Triple Sec and ginger ale in place of the tequila.

White Cucumber Sangria

A chilled bottle of Sauvignon Blanc is the base for this thirst-quenching homemade drink for summer. Toss in sliced cucumber, honeydew melon, and mint leaves. Just before you're ready to say "cheers!" top off the white wine sangria with a bottle of sparkling water.

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Watermelon Agua Fresca

Hydration has never tasted better. Blended watermelon (opt for seedless to cut down on prep time) combined with lime juice, sugar, and water or club soda (the latter if you're a fizz fan!) makes a refreshing summer drink kids and adults alike can sip.

June Bug

Icy-cool scoops of sherbet give this refreshing, nonalcoholic drink a sweet finish, while grenadine and OJ pair up to create its pretty coral color. Complete this DIY summer drink with plenty of fizzy ginger ale. Kids will come running for refills.

Tequila Sunrise Margarita

All you need to make this refreshing summer cocktail is some triple sec, lime juice, and of course, tequila. A red-sugared rim gives it a fiery look. This cool summer drink is perfect for gatherings since you can easily stir together nine servings in one pitcher and chill until guests arrive.

Melon-Basil Prosecco Sparkler

The best summer drinks highlight garden-fresh herbs and produce—and this shaken cocktail does both. Honeydew and basil give the sparkling wine-topped swigs their vibrant hue. Use a vegetable peeler to create elegant, thin strips of melon to line each glass.

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Summer Dream Sangria

Turn a bottle of rosé wine into a batch of easy summer drinks with this sunset-color sangria. Four fruits and a spoonful of rose water make this drink fit its seasonal name. Tuck a strawberry on the rim of each wine glass for a pretty garnish and sweet snack.

Classic Margaritas

There's nothing better than a lip-smacking, salt-rimmed margarita. Fill your favorite summer drink with freshly squeezed lime juice to add authenticity.Instead of standard granulated sugar, stir in superfine or powdered sugar so it easily dissolves into the cocktail.

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Citrus Shimmer Cocktail

Enjoy a day in the sun with one of these fruity summer cocktails. The blend of limoncello (try making your own!), fresh orange juice, and chilled prosecco come together in minutes. Garnish with a twist of lemon peel and sip away.

Rose Collins

A spoonful of bitter Campari liqueur tames the floral notes of rose in this poppy-orange cocktail. Sprinkle the lemon garnish with coarse sugar to balance out the tartness. This single-serving refreshing summer vodka drink is perfect for cooling off on a scorching-hot day.

Make-Ahead Frozen Margaritas

Move aside, margarita mix. You can prep these frozen summer drinks in just 10 minutes and have a batch of easy summer drinks ready to go for tomorrow's party. Come serving time, just take them out of the freezer and you'll be cooling down in no time. For a sweeter summer take, make with frozen strawberries.

Blackberry-Bourbon Lemonade

A splash of sparkling lemonade gives these refreshing summer drinks their bubbly appeal. (Lemon-lime sparkling water works well, too, if you're watching your sugar intake.) Be sure to pour the syrup in last for dramatic color in every bourbon cocktail, then pop in a few berries for garnish.

Super Juice Spritzer

Cheers to your new go-to sparkling water-spiked cocktail. This vitamin-packed fruit and vegetable punch is ideal to serve during the transition from spring to summer. Carrot juice looks back to colder weather, while pineapple and peach look ahead to the warm days to come.

The Porcupine

Please wine and beer lovers alike with this "spiky" refreshing summer cocktail. Pineapple and fresh rosemary are the secret to getting your favorite sparkling white wine and pale ale to join forces. Seek out Prosecco, Cava, or Cremant for a more budget-friendly option than Champagne.

Green Tea Soda

Ditch the cans. You can make your very own fizzy concoction with home-brewed tea and sparkling water. Make your mocktail extra delicious by stirring in sliced stone fruit and fresh berries.

Carrot Lemonade

This sunny-orange lemonade is brimming with natural sweetness thanks to fresh carrots and pineapple juice. Plus, it's packed with vitamins A and C.If you prefer your sips on the sweeter side, use white grape juice as the base. For a more tart twist, start with pineapple juice.

Raspberry Mojito Punch

Keep cool with a glass of this raspberry-infused mojito. Fresh mint, raspberries, rum, sparkling water, and lime juice scream summer in a glass. If you want to keep the summer drink kid-friendly, simply omit the rum and increase the amount of sparkling water.