Summer Cocktail Recipes to Make Your Fun in the Sun More Enjoyable

Whether you’re getting ready for a backyard barbecue, want to spend a little time at the beach or are having a pool party, there are several summer cocktails that will make your summer fun even more enjoyable. Experimenting with your favorite fruits and flavors can make for tasty cocktails that you can make in minutes. These recipes are equally as delicious without the alcohol, which comes in handy when you’re celebrating with children. Here are a few drinks you can easily add to your summer party menu.

Peachy Party Wine

peach-party-wineThis sangria-inspired cocktail is easy to make and has a refreshing peach taste that everyone at your poolside get-together will love. For this recipe, you’ll need:

  • Crushed ice
  • A bottle of your favorite white wine
  • 1 cup of peach puree
  • 1 1/2 cups seltzer water
  • fresh sliced peaches
  • 1 large sprig of rosemary

In a pitcher, pour in the ice, peaches and peach puree. Add the seltzer water and stir until the two ingredients are thoroughly mixed. Pour in the white wine and stir. To add a slight savory and spicy taste to the cocktail that goes great with peaches, add a large sprig of thyme to the pitcher and stir lightly before serving.

Cherry Gin Spritzer

cherry-fizzIf gin is your alcoholic beverage of choice, you’ll love this refreshing cocktail with a sweet cherry flavor. You’ll need:

  • 2 fluid ounces of gin (per cocktail)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cherries
  • 1/2 cup ginger ale
  • sliced limes (for garnish)

Muddle cherries at the bottom of a glass and add the ginger ale. Pour in the gin and add a lime slice to the glass before serving.

Bee’s Knees

Bee's KneesThis cocktail is simple and has a tropical taste that goes great with barbecued dishes. This recipe calls for:

  • 1 large can of pineapple juice
  • 1 large can of grapefruit juice
  • 1 jar of honey
  • 2 cups of gin

Combine all ingredients in a blender until frothy. Pour into chilled glasses to serve.

Gin Tonic

gin-tonicThis classic cocktail is just right for the summer. It has two main ingredients, but you can add light fruit flavors to make the beverage one of a kind. To make a gin and tonic, you need:

  • 3-5 ice cubes (per cocktail)
  • 2 fluid ounces of gin
  • 4 fluid ounces of tonic water
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice (this can also be substituted for lemon or grapefruit juice)
  • 1 lime or lemon wedge for garnish

Pour the ice cubes in a glass. Pour the gin, tonic water and citrus juice over the ice. Stir vigorously and add a lime wedge to the glass before serving.

Salty Dog

salty-dog-cocktailA combination of gin, grapefruit juice and salt make this summer cocktail sweet, salty and delicious. It’s easy to make, which comes in handy when you have to entertain guests on short notice. Here’s what you’ll need for the recipe:

  • 1 1/2 fluid ounces of gin
  • 5 fluid ounces of grapefruit juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon of salt
  • 1 lime wedge for garnish

Combine the ingredients in a highball glass over ice. Stir well before serving. You can add cherries or a lime for garnish. To make the cocktail extra salty, add lime juice and salt to the rim of the glass before pouring the cocktail in.