Each season comes with its own set of cocktail pairings. Here are four easy to make cocktails and mocktails for summer. I recognize that not everyone drinks alcohol, or you might want to make these drinks the younger members of your family, so I have included a virgin version or mocktail for each drink. Next time you want to cool off from the summer heat, try one of these fun and refreshing recipes.
#1 Raspberry Mojito
- Mint leaves
- 1 fresh lime
- Raspberries
- 1 oz simple syrup
- 3 oz white rum
- 3 oz club soda
At the bottom of the glass, squeeze a couple of lime wedges and then drop them in. Drop in a few raspberries, mint leaves, and the 1 oz of simple syrup. Muddle that all together. Then pour in the 3 oz of white rum and raspberry puree (this is an additional ingredient) and shake everything together. Once it is shaken, top with club soda and more fresh raspberries.
Mocktail: Sparkling raspberry Lemonade Virgin Mojito
- Mint leaves
- 1 oz simple syrup
- 1 Fresh lime
- 6 oz raspberry lemonade
- 2 oz club soda
- Raspberries for garnish
First, squeeze a couple of lime wedges into a glass and then drop them in. Drop in a few mint leaves as well and muddle that all together at the bottom. Then, pour in 1 oz of simple syrup, along with 6 oz of raspberry lemonade. Shake this all together. Once it is shaken up, top with 2 oz of club soda and garnish with raspberries and a lime wedge.
#2 Paloma
- 1 Lime
- Sea Salt
- 3 oz 100% grapefruit juice
- 2 oz Tequila
- ¼ oz Simple Syrup
This drink is a refreshing twist on a margarita. Rub the rim of your glass with a lime wedge and dip it in a small plate of sea salt. Add the tequila, grapefruit juice, squeezed lime, and simple syrup (or a sweetener of your choice). Next, stir and add ice cubes, then garnish with a lime slice. You can top with club soda as well for added carbonation.
Mocktail: Grapefruit Fresca
- 1 cup 100% grapefruit juice
- 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary for garnish
- 1 cup unflavored kombucha
- Sparkling water
- 1 teaspoon simple syrup
To start, grab a pitcher and combine the following: grapefruit juice, kombucha, and simple syrup. Stir this a bit. The only steps left are pouring a glass and top with a little sparkling water and garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig. This is a great easy to make cocktail and mocktail for the summer.
#3 Twisted Ice Tea
- Four cups of boiling water
- 8 pomegranate green tea bags
- ½ cup of agave nectar
- 1 cup of vodka
- Citrus fruit slices or strawberries for garnish
This twist is an easy to make cocktail for the summertime. This produces a larger batch, great for entertaining. First, in a pitcher steep the tea bags for around 45 minutes in boiling water (adjust for how strong you like your tea). Then remove the tea bags. After the water is cool, add in the vodka and sweetener of your choice. After, place the tea in the fridge until it is chilled. Serve a glass over ice and garnish with fresh fruit slices or berries.
Mocktail: Hibiscus Ice Tea Sparkler
- 4 cups of boiling water
- 8 bags hibiscus tea
- ½ cup agave nectar
- Ice
- Sparkling water
- ¼ mint leaves
- Strawberries or raspberries for garnish
This is super easy to make and it makes a big batch, great for a family dinner or having it ready throughout the week. In a pitcher steep the tea bags for around 45 minutes in boiling water (again, adjust for how strong you like your tea). Then, remove the tea bags and let the water cool. After the water is cool, add in the mint and agave nectar/sweetener of your choice. Place the tea in the fridge until it is chilled. Lastly, serve a glass over ice and top it off with some sparkling water and berries for garnish.
#4 Aperol Spritz
- Prosecco
- Aperol
- Club Soda
- Slice of Fresh Orange
- Ice
Aperol is a bright and zesty orange liquor with a touch of herbal and vanilla flavor. By mixing it with a dry Prosecco, you will have a refreshing and easy to make drink. I love something bubbly and fruity for the summertime. You can mix those two ingredients with whatever proportions work best with your taste. Then, top it off with club soda, an orange slice, and add some ice cubes.
Mocktail: Orange Spritzer
- 1 oz Simple syrup
- 1 oz grapefruit juice
- 2 oz orange juice
- Club Soda
- Slice of Fresh Orange
- Ice
To make this drink simply combine the simple syrup, grapefruit juice, and orange juice together and stir. Once this is stirred, drop in a few ice cubes and top off with club soda and a fresh orange slice. Finally, to make this drink a bit funkier, you can substitute plain club soda with orange-flavored seltzer water or Sprite. Super easy to make cocktail and mocktail for the summer.
Remember when making these drinks, all the proportions are just a suggestion. Make a drink that is uniquely yours and enjoy it. Have fun trying out the recipes for these 4 easy to make cocktails and mocktails for the summertime!
For the scoop on more summertime recipes click here!
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