Bartendingespecially in your own backyardcan be an intimidating business, but these super simplesummer cocktailsmight keep your soiree.
Whatever you do, stay away from those sugary, pre-packaged mixers at the grocery store.
This slushie combines frozen watermelon chunks with rum or vodka, citrus juice, and simple syrup.
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It’s the perfect sipper for watching your kids' watermelon-spitting contest!
This big-batch cocktail combines zesty-sweet ginger syrup with tart grapefruit juice before adding Prosecco.
Garnish with fresh grapefruit slices and thyme for a festive touch.
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If you have a blender and an ice cube tray, make this mashup your new swelter-buster.
Don’t forget the maraschino cherry; it’s the most important ingredient!
Fresh limes give it a boost, making this the ideal refresher on a hot summer day.
Stephen DeVries
Their natural tartness is balanced with sweetness from a simple syrup and lemon-lime soda.
Grapefruit Kombucha Margarita
This easy cocktail recipe quickly transforms a standard kombucha into a delectable margarita.
Raspberry Rum Cocktail
Sign us up for any drink that combines dark rum and pureed raspberries.
Christopher Testani
White Negroni Punch
You’ll be dreaming of a white… negroni.
It’s refreshing and elegant, but don’t be fooled: It’ll knock your socks off!
Of course, don’t forget the celery sticks!
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Spiced Apple Kombucha Cocktail
Consider this a cozy cocktail with benefits.
Mixed with apple cider and apple kombucha, this is the ultimate apple lover’s dream.
Allow enough time (at least an hour) to chill before serving.
Victor Protasio
Boozy Cold Brew Slushie
How about a caffeine kick with your boozy summer buzz?
We’ll leave it to you if you want to top it off with whipped cream and chocolate sauce.
This cocktail recipe features Irish whiskey instead of traditional gin.
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Mix in club soda, lemon juice, and simple syrup, and pucker up!
This recipe strikes a just right balance that’s tasty and refreshing.
It calls for only four ingredients: Irish whiskey, coffee, heavy cream, and a simple syrup.
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If you’re feeling ambitious, top it off with your ownhomemade whipped cream.
(Sorry, Mickey.)
Serve with lime wedges and lots of ice.
Victor Protasio
Long Island Iced Tea
Despite its name, the Long Island iced tea is tea-free.
Tropical, light, and fizzy, this citrusy spritzer promises to keep guests cool and the conversation bubbly.
Swap the cold brew with decaf for all the enjoyment without thecaffeinekick.
Stephen DeVries
For a tangier drink, use white grapefruit, which is slightly less sweet than pink or red varieties.
Ginger beer and lime round out the ingredient list to create a spicy, fruity refresher.
Cantaloupe Cooler
Cantaloupe isn’t just for fruit salad, as proven by this fun summertime sipper.
Belmond La Samanna
Melon is the star of this drink, so be sure topick the best cantaloupeat the store.
Avoid bruises and cracks, and don’t be afraid to get caught sniffing in the produce aisle.
Tender, juicy cantaloupes should smell sweet and almost floral.
Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner
This spicy margarita pairs the chile with mint for a match made in heaven.
Lime brings the tanginess of a traditional margarita, and agave syrup rounds out the flavors.
Limoncello Spritz
Try this lemon liqueur from southern Italy.
Greg DuPree
Serve it as an after-dinner digestivo.
This spritz is as simple to make as it is to sip.
Garnish with a slice of mango and toast to summer fun.
Jen Causey
Elderflower Spritz
There’s nothing more refreshing than a simple spritz on a hot summer night.
It’s light, refreshing, and not too heavy on the alcohol.
Garnish with fresh strawberries, jump on a pool float, and drift away into summer.
Antonis Achilleos
Part Negroni, part Shirley Temple, all delightful!
Red Wine Spritz
Sweeten up the summer with a simple, four-ingredient red wine spritz.
you’re able to also add a pretty peach garnish to elevate the drink.
J Muckle; Styling: Rebekah Peppler
Martini
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you could’t go wrong with a classic martini any time of year.
A martini makes for a simple summer vice.
Add some fresh summer fruits to make it more seasonal.
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