Summer is officially here! Now is the time for al fresco dining, dinner parties with friends, and golden hour at-home happy hours. There’s an art to summer cocktails, and with an abundance of in-season produce, there are so many refreshing and delicious ways to sip this season. If you’re feeling the itch to host a casual backyard hang, or maybe even an elevated summer soiree—you’ve come to the right place. Ahead, are a few delicious summer cocktails to try and some tips for leveling up your bar cart.. Let’s dive in!
Spritz’s
While many cocktails can be enjoyed year-round, sipping on a spritz feels like quintessential summer. A spritz is an Italian wine-based cocktail consisting of sparkling wine (usually Prosecco), a mixer, and a splash of soda water. They’re refreshing and tasty, ideally sipped poolside or under an umbrella. Drink a spritz out of a stemless wine glass (this rattan wrapped wine glass from Serena & Lily is perfect for summer!) or a large red wine glass!
Aperol Spritz
- 2 oz Aperol
- Ice
- 3 oz prosecco
- 2oz soda
- An orange slice for garnish
Hugo Spritz
- 2 oz St. Germain (Elderflower liqueur)
- Ice
- 8-10 mint leaves (added to the glass with ice)
- 3 oz prosecco
- 2 oz soda
- Lime wedge and mint sprig for garnish
Campari Spritz
- 2 oz Campari
- Ice
- 3 oz prosecco
- 2oz soda
- An orange slice for garnish
Margaritas
I’d argue there’s nothing better than a warm evening, a plate of tacos, a big bowl of guac, and a margarita. This classic cocktail mixes tequila, lime juice and triple sec for a delicious drink that can be sipped year-long, but is extra special over the summer. This cocktail requires a shaker, and if you’re looking for an upgrade, opt for this classic bar tool set from Williams-Sonoma. Or if you’d like to add a little more whimsy, this Icon Cocktail Shaker from Anthropologie is just like the now viral Icon Juice Glasses. It’s dotted with lemons and totally adorable. Ahead, check out a classic and seasonal margarita recipe—both instant crowd pleasers!
Classic Margarita
- 1.5 oz tequila
- 1 oz Triple Sec
- .75 oz lime juice
- .25 oz simple syrup
- Lime wedge for garnish
- Salt for the rim
Spread salt on a small plate. Brush the rim of a cocktail glass with lime juice, then dip the rim of the glass on the salt to coat. Set aside. Add ice to a cocktail shaker and add the remaining ingredients. Cover and shake vigorously. Strain into the prepared cocktail glass and garnish with a slice of lime.
Pineapple Margarita
- 1.5 oz tequila
- .5 oz triple sec
- 1 oz pineapple juice
- .5 oz lime juice
- Tajín for the rim
- Lime wedge for garnish
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice, then shake until combined. Strain into a Tajín-rimmed rocks glass filled with ice and garnish with a lime wedge.
Sangria
A welcome sight at any summer party is a pitcher of sangria. Traditionally, this wine punch is a mix of red wine and fruit, but there are so many variations to try. It’s fruity, refreshing and so easy to throw together. You’ll want to serve Sangria from a cocktail pitcher like this one from Sur La Table or this stunning hand blown pitcher from Anthropologie. Opt for glass pitchers so you can see the beautiful colors of the fruit! Here are two sangria recipes to serve at your next summer happy hour.
Classic Sangria
- 1 (750 milliliter) bottle dry Spanish red wine
- ½ cup brandy
- ½ cup triple sec
- ⅓ cup frozen lemonade concentrate
- ⅓ cup orange juice
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- ¼ cup white sugar (Optional)
- 1 medium orange, sliced into rounds
- 1 medium lemon, sliced into rounds
- 1 medium lime, sliced into rounds
- 8 maraschino cherries
- 2 cups carbonated water (Optional)
Mix red wine, brandy, triple sec, lemonade concentrate, orange juice, lemon juice, and sugar together in your pitcher. Add orange, lemon and lime slices, and maraschino cherries. Serve immediately over ice, or refrigerate 8 hours to overnight for best flavor. For a fizzy sangria, add club soda just before serving.
White Sangria
- 1 medium orange
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 medium lemon, thinly sliced
- 1 medium lime, thinly sliced
- 1 medium firm-ripe peach or nectarine, thinly sliced
- 1 small Granny Smith apple, thinly sliced
- 1 (750-milliliter) bottle white wine, such as pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc
- 1/4 cup brandy or orange liqueur
- 4 large strawberries
- 1 bunch fresh mint
- 1 1/2 cups chilled seltzer water, lemon-lime soda, or sparkling wine\
Juice one medium orange (about 1/3 cup) and add to your pitcher. Add 1/4 cup granulated sugar and stir until mostly dissolved. Then add thinly sliced fruit—lemon, lime, peach or nectarine and Granny Smith apple. Pour the bottle white wine and 1/4 cup brandy or orange liqueur into the pitcher and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 24 hours. Just before serving, trim, halve and slice 4 large strawberries, and pick the leaves from the bunch of fresh mint until you have 1/2 cup. Add to the pitcher and stir to combine. To serve, add some fruit from the pitcher to each glass. Fill each glass with 1/2 cup sangria and top with 1/4 cup chilled seltzer water, lemon-lime soda, or sparkling wine.
Summer In A Cup Pre-Made Cocktails
Maybe you’re hosting a party and you want to keep things super simple. This is when a pre-made cocktail comes in clutch—and Trisha Yearwood has an exclusive line of summer mixes at Williams-Sonoma that are completely delicious. Aptly named Summer In A Cup, you simply add the cocktail mixture to a shaker with ice and your spirit of choice. Or if you prefer a mocktail, simply add the mixture to a cup with soda for a refreshing spritz. Summer In A Cup comes in four flavors—classic, peach, sunshine and aloha, and are ideally mixed with vodka, gin or rum!
