Refreshing Summer Cocktails and Non-Alcoholic Drinks: Perfect Recipes for Your Next Party

Summer is the perfect season to enjoy refreshing beverages that can quench your thirst and enhance your outdoor gatherings. Whether you’re hosting a barbecue or a casual party, having a mix of delicious cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks ensures everyone has something to enjoy. Here’s a guide to the most common summer cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks, complete with recipes to delight your guests.

Whether you’re celebrating a good time, watching the game, or getting people together “just because”, we have something for EVERYONE!

Common Summer Cocktails

1. Mojito
2. Margarita
3. Pina Colada
4. Aperol Spritz
5. Gin and Tonic

Common Non-Alcoholic Drinks

1. Lemonade
2. Iced Tea
3. Virgin Mojito
4. Cucumber Mint Cooler
5. Fruit Punch

Cocktail Recipes

Mojito

Ingredients:

• 2 oz white rum
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 6-8 fresh mint leaves
• Soda water
• Lime wedge and mint sprig for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a glass, muddle the mint leaves with sugar and lime juice.
2. Add the rum and fill the glass with ice.
3. Top with soda water and stir gently.
4. Garnish with a lime wedge and mint sprig.

Margarita

Ingredients:

• 2 oz tequila
• 1 oz lime juice
• 1 oz triple sec
• Salt for rimming the glass
• Lime wedge for garnish

Instructions:

1. Rub the rim of a glass with a lime wedge and dip in salt.
2. In a shaker, combine tequila, lime juice, and triple sec with ice. Shake well.
3. Strain into the prepared glass over ice.
4. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Pina Colada

Ingredients:

• 2 oz white rum
• 1 oz coconut cream
• 1 oz heavy cream
• 6 oz fresh pineapple juice
• 1/2 cup crushed ice
• Pineapple slice and cherry for garnish

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
2. Pour into a chilled glass.
3. Garnish with a pineapple slice and cherry.

Aperol Spritz

Ingredients:

• 3 oz Prosecco
• 2 oz Aperol
• 1 oz soda water
• Orange slice for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a glass filled with ice, combine Prosecco and Aperol.
2. Top with soda water and stir gently.
3. Garnish with an orange slice.

Gin and Tonic

Ingredients:

• 2 oz gin
• 4 oz tonic water
• Lime wedge for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Add gin and top with tonic water.
3. Stir gently and garnish with a lime wedge.

Non-Alcoholic Drink Recipes

Lemonade

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 cup sugar
• 5 cups water
• Lemon slices and mint sprigs for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a pitcher, combine lemon juice and sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
2. Add water and mix well.
3. Serve over ice and garnish with lemon slices and mint sprigs.

Iced Tea

Ingredients:

• 4 tea bags (black or green tea)
• 4 cups boiling water
• 4 cups cold water
• Lemon slices and mint sprigs for garnish
• Sugar or honey to taste

Instructions:

1. Steep the tea bags in boiling water for 5-7 minutes.
2. Remove the tea bags and let the tea cool.
3. Pour the tea into a pitcher, add cold water, and stir.
4. Sweeten to taste with sugar or honey.
5. Serve over ice and garnish with lemon slices and mint sprigs.

Virgin Mojito

Ingredients:

• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 6-8 fresh mint leaves
• Soda water
• Lime wedge and mint sprig for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a glass, muddle the mint leaves with sugar and lime juice.
2. Fill the glass with ice and top with soda water.
3. Stir gently and garnish with a lime wedge and mint sprig.

Cucumber Mint Cooler

Ingredients:

• 1 cucumber, peeled and sliced
• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 4 cups cold water
• Cucumber slices and mint sprigs for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a blender, combine cucumber, mint leaves, lime juice, sugar, and 1 cup of water. Blend until smooth.
2. Strain the mixture into a pitcher and add the remaining water.
3. Serve over ice and garnish with cucumber slices and mint sprigs.

Fruit Punch

Ingredients:

• 2 cups orange juice
• 2 cups pineapple juice
• 1 cup cranberry juice
• 1 cup lemon-lime soda
• Orange slices, pineapple chunks, and cherries for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a large pitcher, combine orange juice, pineapple juice, and cranberry juice. Stir well.
2. Add lemon-lime soda and mix gently.
3. Serve over ice and garnish with orange slices, pineapple chunks, and cherries.

With a variety of drink recipes ready, you’ll be able to please anyone and everyone who attends your gatherings! You’ll be the talk of the town and everyone will be waiting for your next celebratory bash!