Summer Sips & Sweets: Perfect Drinks to Pair with Your Summer Desserts

What’s a summer dessert without a chilled, refreshing drink alongside it? Whether you’re grilling outside, lounging by the pool, or entertaining on the patio, these drink recipes are the perfect companions to the summer sweets we just covered.

Here are 6 crowd-pleasing summer drink recipes, including cocktails, spritzers, and non-alcoholic options—with full ingredient lists and instructions.

1. Strawberry Basil Vodka Smash

Pairs well with: Fresh Berry Shortcake

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vodka

• 3–4 fresh strawberries

• 3 basil leaves

• 1/2 oz simple syrup

• 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice

• Club soda to top

• Ice

Instructions:

1. Muddle strawberries, basil, and simple syrup in a shaker.

2. Add vodka, lemon juice, and ice. Shake well.

3. Strain into a glass with ice. Top with club soda.

4. Garnish with a strawberry slice and basil sprig.

2. Limoncello Spritz

Pairs well with: Lemon Icebox Pie

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Limoncello

• 3 oz Prosecco

• 1 oz soda water

• Lemon slice for garnish

• Ice

Instructions:

1. Fill a wine glass with ice.

2. Pour in Limoncello, then Prosecco, and top with soda water.

3. Stir gently and garnish with a lemon slice.

3. Peach Bourbon Iced Tea

Pairs well with: Peach Cobbler

Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon

• 1/2 oz peach schnapps

• 3 oz iced black tea (unsweetened or lightly sweetened)

• Lemon wedge

• Ice

Instructions:

1. Fill a tall glass with ice.

2. Add bourbon, peach schnapps, and iced tea.

3. Stir and garnish with a lemon wedge or fresh peach slice.

4. Frozen Pineapple Coconut Daiquiri

Pairs well with: Grilled Pineapple

Ingredients:

• 2 oz white rum

• 1 oz coconut cream

• 1/2 cup frozen pineapple chunks

• 1/2 oz lime juice

• Ice

Instructions:

1. Blend all ingredients until smooth.

2. Pour into a chilled glass.

3. Garnish with pineapple wedge or toasted coconut.

5. Blueberry Gin Fizz

Pairs well with: Blueberry Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients:

• 2 oz gin

• 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice

• 1/2 oz blueberry syrup (or muddled blueberries + simple syrup)

• Club soda to top

• Ice

Instructions:

1. In a shaker, combine gin, lemon juice, and blueberry syrup with ice.

2. Shake well and strain into a glass with ice.

3. Top with club soda and stir.

4. Garnish with a few blueberries and a lemon twist.

6. Cucumber Mint Sparkler (Non-Alcoholic)

Pairs well with: Any dessert—refreshing and palate-cleansing

Ingredients:

• 5 slices cucumber

• 4 mint leaves

• 1/2 oz lime juice

• 1/2 oz simple syrup

• Sparkling water

• Ice

Instructions:

1. Muddle cucumber, mint, lime juice, and simple syrup in a shaker.

2. Add ice and shake briefly.

3. Strain into a glass with ice and top with sparkling water.

4. Garnish with a cucumber ribbon and mint sprig.

Final Cheers

Whether you’re indulging in peach cobbler or licking strawberry popsicles, the right drink makes summer that much sweeter. Keep things cool, balanced, and celebratory—and don’t be afraid to batch these for your next backyard bash.

Would you like a printable one-sheet or menu design for these drinks and desserts? I can help with that to!