25 Summer Cocktails to Beat the Heat in Style

ByMarigold Banks Updated
Summer Cocktails - Guyo's Guide

I’ve had summers where every drink felt the same—sugary, boring, and nothing to get excited about. Trust me, I’ve been there.

I used to think you had to be a mixologist or have a full bar at home to enjoy a great cocktail.

There were nights out where I didn’t even know what to order at the club or bar, so I’d just get the usual—again.

But after trying different flavors, talking to bartenders, and doing a little taste testing (okay, a lot), I found some cocktails that are fun, easy to enjoy, and perfect for summer.

These drink ideas aren’t just for making at home—you can also find them at your favorite club, bar, or beach spot.

So whether you’re out with friends or chilling on the patio, here are some summer cocktail ideas worth trying:

1. Watermelon Mojitos

A photo of a tall, clear highball glass filled with a vibrant pink watermelon mojito. The glass is garnished with fresh mint leaves, a thin lime wheel, and small chunks of watermelon floating on top. Condensation drips down the glass, hinting at its coldness. The summer cocktail is placed on a bright plain white kitchen countertop under soft natural light streaming through a nearby window.

Hot day? Grab some watermelon and muddle it with fresh mint and lime. 

Add white rum and a splash of soda water—voilà, a fruity refresher that’s almost too easy to love. 

It’s like summer in a glass, and yes, it will disappear faster than you think.

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2. Pineapple Jalapeño Margaritas

A photo of a golden-yellow summer cocktail with jalapeno slices and a pineapple wedge. The cocktail is served in a short, wide tumbler with a thick, Tajin-rimmed edge. The drink is placed on a bright plain white kitchen countertop, bathed in crisp natural light.

Sweet meets spicy in this bold margarita. 

Fresh pineapple juice, lime, tequila, and muddled jalapeños come together with a tajín rim that packs a punch. 

It’s not shy, and neither should you be. Ideal for Taco Tuesdays or showing off a little fire at your next cookout.

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3. Frozen Peach Bellini

A tall champagne flute holds a frozen peach bellini with a softly slushy texture and a peachy-orange hue, topped with bubbly Prosecco foam. A thin peach slice perches delicately on the rim. The summer cocktail sits elegantly on a bright plain white kitchen countertop, illuminated by diffused natural light coming from the left.

Got ripe peaches? Freeze them and blend with bubbly Prosecco and a splash of peach schnapps. 

The result? A slushy, sparkly dream that practically screams “brunch with the girls.” 

Serve in a flute, sip with pinky up, and enjoy your grown-up smoothie moment.

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4. Cucumber Gin Fizz

A minimalist summer cocktail served in a clear Collins glass, showcasing a pale green liquid and a long ribbon of cucumber swirling through crushed ice. A mint sprig and a thin cucumber wheel are used as garnish. The drink rests on a bright plain white kitchen countertop beneath natural light, which casts delicate shadows around the base.

This cocktail is clean, crisp, and feels like skincare from the inside out. 

Muddle cucumber and mint, add gin, fresh lime, and top with soda water. 

Garnish with a cucumber ribbon if you’re feeling fancy. It’s the ultimate “I deserve this” after a long, hot day.

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5. Strawberry Rosé Sangria

A photo of a curvy wine glass filled to the brim with ice cubes and a blush-pink strawberry rosé sangria. The sangria is filled with sliced strawberries and a lemon round, which are floating beautifully within. Tiny bubbles cling to the fruit. The summer cocktail is placed on a bright plain white kitchen countertop, brightly lit by natural light pouring through a kitchen window.

Toss sliced strawberries, oranges, and lemon into a pitcher with chilled rosé and a splash of elderflower liqueur. 

Let it sit and soak in the fridge. 

When ready, pour over ice and top with bubbles. It’s floral, fruity, and perfect for your backyard book club.

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6. Coconut Rum Punch

A photo of a large hurricane glass filled with a summer cocktail. The drink is a vibrant orange colour with a pinkish-red band near the top due to the grenadine syrup. A maraschino cherry is placed on top of the drink, sitting above crushed ice. The ice is held in place by a small paper umbrella. The glass is placed on a bright white kitchen countertop. The room is illuminated by golden natural light, highlighting the tropical tones of the drink.

This is the “toes in the sand” cocktail—even if your beach is a lawn chair on the patio. 

Mix coconut rum with pineapple and orange juices, then finish with a drizzle of grenadine. 

It’s a tropical hug that pairs well with sunscreen and sunglasses.

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7. Blueberry Basil Smash

A photo of a short round rocks glass on a bright plain white kitchen countertop. The glass contains a rich magenta-colored summer cocktail, speckled with crushed blueberries and green flecks of muddled basil. A basil sprig and a skewer of three fresh blueberries serve as garnish. The drink is placed on a bright plain white kitchen countertop under diffused natural light, casting soft shadows behind the glass.

Crush fresh blueberries and basil leaves, add vodka, lemon juice, and honey. 

Shake it up and strain over ice. It’s vibrant, herbal, and a little mysterious. 

Think of it as a garden party in a glass—best served with messy laughter and charcuterie.

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8. Classic Paloma

A photo of a tall, transparent glass containing a pale pink Paloma cocktail with visible bubbles and ice cubes. The cocktail is garnished with a thick wedge of grapefruit and has a salted rim. The glass is placed on a bright plain white kitchen countertop. The warm natural light bathes the scene, making the drink glow softly.

Tequila, meet grapefruit. Add lime juice, a touch of agave, and fizzy soda water. 

Salted rim optional, but highly recommended. It’s light, zesty, and criminally underrated. 

A total lifesaver when you’re over margaritas but still in a tequila mood—which, let’s be honest, is often.

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9. Blackberry Bourbon Lemonade

A photo of a mason jar-style glass holding a mulberry-colored summer cocktail. The cocktail is made by layering blackberry purée and lemonade, with ice cubes reaching the top. The drink is garnished with a sprig of mint and a lemon slice, and a blackberry. The glass is placed on a bright plain white kitchen countertop in direct natural light, which enhances the layered effect.

Sweet blackberries, tart lemon, and smooth bourbon—this is summer sipping with a kick. 

Muddle, shake, and pour over crushed ice. It’s bold and juicy, like a Southern belle with something to prove. 

Perfect for front porch nights or backyard BBQs with a little soul.

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10. Mango Chili Cooler

A photo of a mango cocktail in a stemless wine glass. The cocktail is a bold yellow-orange colour and contains visible chili powder flecks. The rim of the glass is tajín-spiced. Ice cubes float near the top of the cocktail. A wedge of mango dipped in chili powder leans against the rim of the glass. The cocktail is placed on a bright plain white kitchen countertop. The background contains a few other kitchen items. The photo is taken under bright natural light, creating sharp reflections.

Spicy mango fans, this one’s for you. 

Blend mango with lime, add vodka (or rum!), and a dash of chili powder. 

Rim the glass with tajín for the full effect. It’s tropical with attitude, like your vacation plans if they were made by a daredevil.

11. Lavender Lemon Gin Spritz

A photo of a sleek, stemmed glass holding a pale lavender-hued summer cocktail with a gentle fizz. The cocktail is garnished with tiny dried lavender buds and a thin lemon wheel perched on the rim. The glass is placed on a bright plain white kitchen countertop bathed in soft natural light, which casts delicate highlights across the glass.

This one’s floral, fizzy, and fabulous. Make a quick lavender syrup, shake it with lemon juice and gin, then top with soda water. 

Sip slowly—it’s basically a garden in bloom. Ideal for tea parties, bridal showers, or solo sunset appreciation sessions.

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12. Boozy Arnold Palmer

A photo of a tall mason jar-style glass filled with a layered summer cocktail. The amber iced tea is at the bottom, gradually transitioning into the pale lemonade at the top. A lemon slice and mint leaves are floating in the drink, and there's a paper straw sticking out of the liquid. The glass is placed on a bright plain white kitchen countertop, and the warm natural light illuminating the scene casts a slight golden glow.

Half iced tea, half lemonade, fully grown-up. 

Add a generous shot of bourbon or vodka and a lemon wedge for good measure. 

It’s sweet, nostalgic, and quietly powerful—like a summer afternoon nap you didn’t plan but absolutely needed.

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13. Frozen Piña Colada

A photo of a frosty piña colada slush in a tall, slightly tapered hurricane glass. The glass is placed on a bright plain white kitchen countertop. The icy, creamy texture of the blended pineapple and coconut drink glistens under the natural light. A maraschino cherry and a fresh pineapple wedge are skewered on a cocktail pick, resting elegantly on the rim of the glass. A pastel blue cocktail umbrella is slightly tilted at an angle. The condensation on the glass catches the sunlight, emphasizing the drink's tropical freshness.

If summer had a mascot, it’d be this drink. 

Blend frozen pineapple, coconut cream, and rum until smooth. 

Pour into a big glass, top with a cherry, and don’t forget the paper umbrella. 

It’s creamy, cool, and 100% vacation mode.

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14. Cherry Lime Rickey

A highball glass holds a vibrant ruby-red summer cocktail with ice cubes. Muddled cherries can be seen through the clear sides. A lime wedge sits on the rim, and a few cherry halves float just below the surface. The drink is placed on a bright plain white kitchen countertop. The scene is brightly lit by natural light pouring in from the right.

Muddle fresh cherries and lime, add vodka, and top with soda water. 

It’s tart, juicy, and sparkly—basically what cherry candy wants to be when it grows up. 

Super refreshing, super fun, and dangerously easy to drink two (or three).

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15. Aperol Spritz

A photo of a large balloon wine glass filled with a bright orange Aperol Spritz cocktail. The cocktail is filled with ice and has an orange wheel tucked inside. Tiny bubbles cling to the surface of the drink. The glass is placed on a bright plain white kitchen countertop. The room is flooded with golden natural light, which makes the orange hue of the cocktail glow.

Bittersweet and effortlessly cool, the Aperol Spritz is a summer staple. 

Mix Aperol, Prosecco, and soda water over ice, then toss in an orange slice. 

It’s stylish, easygoing, and belongs in your hand while gossiping with friends under twinkle lights.

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16. Spiked Hibiscus Iced Tea

A photo of a clear tumbler holding a deep magenta summer cocktail with crushed ice, a slice of lime, and a sprig of mint. The vibrant hue of the hibiscus tea contrasts beautifully with the white background. It's placed on a bright plain white kitchen countertop under crisp natural light, which reflects subtly through the icy glass.

This pretty-in-pink sipper starts with brewed hibiscus tea—tart, floral, and caffeine-free. 

Add a shot of white rum, a squeeze of lime, and a little honey. It’s like your favorite herbal tea got a glow-up. 

Serve it in a mason jar and pretend you’re at a festival.

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17. Grapefruit Mint Cooler

A photo of a minimalist highball glass filled with a pale pink summer cocktail. The cocktail contains ice cubes and torn mint leaves floating throughout. A large grapefruit wheel clings to the rim of the glass. The drink is placed on a bright plain white kitchen countertop. Soft natural light streams across the countertop, casting shadows and highlights.

When it’s blazing out, this drink saves the day. 

Fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice, mint, vodka, and a fizzy topper make this extra refreshing. 

It’s bright, zippy, and feels like a breeze in a glass. 

Bonus: the pink hue looks adorable next to your sun hat.

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18. Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri

A photo of a wide, shallow margarita glass filled with a thick, bright red frozen strawberry daiquiri. The surface of the daiquiri is dotted with crushed ice crystals. A fresh whole strawberry is placed on the rim of the glass. A red-and-white striped straw is inserted into the daiquiri at an angle. The summer cocktail is placed on a bright plain white kitchen countertop, which is glowing under strong natural light.

Grab those frozen strawberries and blend with rum, lime juice, and a little simple syrup. 

It’s like a grown-up Slurpee but way better. 

Serve in a big glass with a strawberry on top and enjoy that brain freeze—it’s totally worth it.

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19. Passion Fruit Caipirinha

A photo of a short, sturdy rocks glass containing a golden-yellow summer cocktail. The cocktail is thick with crushed ice and has visible passion fruit seeds swirling through it. The glass is set on a bright plain white kitchen countertop. The background is bright and has natural light, giving the drink a sunlit glow.

Brazil knows how to party, and so does this cocktail. 

Muddle lime and sugar, add passion fruit purée and cachaça. Shake it up and pour over crushed ice. 

It’s bold, tangy, and has that exotic kick that turns your porch into a samba parade.

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20. Kiwi Mojito

A clear tall glass showcases a light green summer cocktail filled with crushed ice, muddled kiwi seeds, and torn mint leaves. A peeled slice of kiwi with its skin on sits playfully on the rim, a slice of lemon wedge, while a small sprig of mint peeks over the top. The drink is placed on a bright plain white kitchen countertop bathed in natural light, which filters in to highlight the textures inside the glass.

Take your classic mojito and give it a tropical twist. 

Muddle fresh kiwi with mint and lime, add white rum, and top with soda water. 

It’s tart, green, and unexpectedly addictive. 

Great for impressing guests—or just sipping while folding laundry with flair.

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21. Spiked Watermelon Slush

A photo of a wide, stemless glass filled with a frosty, dark red watermelon slush on a bright plain white kitchen countertop. The icy texture of the blended watermelon juice glistens under the natural light. A fresh slice of watermelon, with its rind still attached, leans against the rim. A thin green straw complements the fruit's natural color contrast.

Freeze watermelon chunks and blend with lime juice, vodka, and a drizzle of agave. 

It’s icy, bright, and perfect for cooling down after chasing kids around the yard. 

Serve with a spoon or a straw—whatever gets it into your mouth faster.

22. Lemon Thyme Vodka Collins

A photo of a tall Collins glass holding a crystal-clear, pale yellow summer cocktail. The glass is filled with large ice cubes and contains a cocktail with a bright yellow hue. A thin lemon wheel floats on top of the cocktail, and a thyme sprig stands upright in the glass, adding a rustic herbal accent. The glass is placed on a bright plain white kitchen countertop, gently lit by soft natural light streaming in from the side.

This cocktail is your herb garden’s time to shine. 

Mix lemon juice, vodka, and thyme-infused syrup, then top with sparkling water. 

It’s sophisticated but not snobby. 

Great for garden parties, quiet nights on the deck, or pretending you’re at a fancy bistro.

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23. Raspberry Limoncello Sparkler

A photo of a flute glass filled with a pastel-pink, bubbly summer cocktail. The cocktail contains raspberries and lemon zest curls. The glass rim is sugared. The drink is placed on a white kitchen countertop. The countertop is illuminated by natural light, causing the bubbles to shimmer.

Bubbly and sweet with a citrusy zing, this one’s a summer crowd-pleaser. 

Muddle raspberries, mix with limoncello and Prosecco, and serve chilled. 

It’s light, bright, and brings serious main-character energy to any brunch or bridal shower.

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24. Honeydew Jalapeño Margarita

A photo of a short glass tumbler containing a pale green summer cocktail with a smooth, almost milky texture. A jalapeño slice sits on top of the drink, and a tiny wedge of honeydew melon sits on the rim. The glass has a chili-salt rim that adds a bold texture. The drink is placed on a bright plain white kitchen countertop under bold, directional natural light, highlighting the contrast of green and red.

Sweet melon meets spicy jalapeño in this daring twist. 

Blend honeydew with lime, add tequila and Cointreau, and don’t skimp on the chili salt rim. 

It’s cool and fiery at the same time—basically the cocktail version of a spicy-sweet text from your ex.

25. Blood Orange Negroni

A photo of a classic rocks glass holding a deep crimson summer cocktail with large, crystal-clear ice cubes. A thick round of blood orange floats on the surface, its marbled red flesh striking against the drink's dark hue. The cocktail is placed on a bright plain white kitchen countertop, with natural light casting dramatic shadows through the glass.

Rich, citrusy, and oh-so sophisticated. Swap the orange slice in a traditional Negroni for fresh blood orange juice. 

Stir with equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth. 

It’s moody, chic, and just dramatic enough for a stylish summer evening in.

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Wrap Up

Summer cocktails make any sunny day more fun. 

Whether you like sweet, fruity, or fizzy drinks, there’s something on this list for everyone. 

Try a few and find your favorite. Just relax, sip slowly, and enjoy the sunshine. 

Cheers to good drinks and happy moments!

Summer Cocktails
Marigold Banks's avatar
Marigold Banks

Marigold Banks is a food writer at Guyo's Guide. With a rich background as a chef and event planner, she brings a unique culinary perspective and flair for detail to her articles. Marigold's passion for food and expert insights make her a valued voice on our blog.

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