46 summer cocktails

This collection is full of my absolute favourite things to drink when the temperatures rise. Big hitters include fruity tequila cocktails like our watermelon margarita, peach palomas and strawberry margarita slushies – something about that combo of herbaceous agave and fresh summer fruit just hits the spot for me and if you can make it spicy, even better.

I’m also obsessed with wine cocktails; our sangrias are low ABV so perfect for session drinking (pacing is very important when it's hot!) and customisable to whatever you have to hand – I’ve made them with red, white, rosé and sparkling wines. And if you’re feeling even lazier, try our next-level tinto de verano – somehow, this simple drink of red wine and lemonade is absurdly refreshing and a total winner for easy garden drinks.

Nothing screams sunshine like rum for me and if I’m planning a summer barbecue I always love to make a tropical cocktail to drink alongside – from classic rum punch to boozy mai tais, minty mojitos and zippy daiquiris. I also love to sneak in a retro classic or two (I am VERY partial to a piña colada).

Finally, if you’re heading out for drinks in London this summer do check out my round up of my favourite summer drinking spots in London, from riverside breweries to rooftop havens.

Best summer cocktails

Piña colada

Best drunk in the sun on holiday, piña coladas really are the bee's knees. Transport yourself to the tropics by recreating our perfect recipe at home.

Sex on the beach

This cocktail sings of summer – simply mix vodka with peach schnapps, orange juice and cranberry juice. Try more vodka cocktails.

White wine sangria

Summer screams for sangria – try this white wine version with brandy, elderflower and plenty of fruit.

Next-level tinto de verano

Vermouth adds a herbal, bittersweet edge to this refreshing summertime Spanish cocktail.

Watermelon margarita

Cool off with this fruity watermelon and tequila margarita – perfectly refreshing for summer barbecues. Blitz with ice for a frozen twist.

Paloma cocktail

The perfect refresher for the summer months, check out this light and breezy tequila cocktail featuring agave syrup and grapefruit.

Banana daiquiri

Transport yourself to a sunny beach with this fruity daiquiri cocktail, bursting with tropical and summery flavours including banana and white rum.

For more recipe inspiration, check out our banana recipes.

Rosé sangria

This light and refreshing raspberry rose sangria is perfect for warm summer evenings. The crisp rosé wine is enhanced with a splash of raspberry liqueur, adding a fruity kick.

Zombie cocktail

For a fresh and fruity cocktail with plenty of kick, try this zombie cocktail which mixes three types of rum with anise liqueur and Angostura bitters.

Gin garden fizz

This gin cocktail is the perfect addition to any barbecue. Made with a homemade sugar syrup, fresh lemon, and a medley of your favourite summer fruits, it’s a simple yet refreshing drink that’s easy to prepare in a jug. Light, zesty, and full of vibrant flavours, it's the ideal drink to serve when entertaining a crowd.

Mai tai

If you’re feeling fruity, make this tropical cocktail made with two types of rum, orange curacao, almond syrup and lime juice. Perfect with a pineapple wedge.

Pineapple and mint julep

A classic bourbon julep gets a tropical upgrade in this refreshing summer cocktail, perfect for barbecues and outdoor entertaining.

Frozen margarita

Nothing quite says summer like a frozen margarita in a salt-crusted glass. This recipe only requires four ingredients, making it perfect for cocktail making without the fuss.

Tequila and watermelon frosé

This frozen cocktail is summer in a drink – save a wedge of watermelon to garnish for ultimate holiday vibes.

Strawberry margarita slushies

Stay cool this summer with refreshing strawberry margarita slushies. These fruity drinks are super quick and easy to make, a perfect crowd-pleaser.

Check out our best strawberry recipes next.

Passion fruit caipirinha

A passion fruit twist on the punchy Brazilian cocktail. This is an ideal drink for those warm summer evenings. If you love a passion fruit cocktail, try our passion fruit martini recipe next.

Pineapple mezcal margarita

Bring a burst of flavour to your summer soirées by melding the captivating smokiness of mezcal with the sun-kissed sweetness of pineapple juice. Check out our guide to the best mezcal to buy to find the perfect addition to your drinks cupboard.

Sgroppino

Serve this cocktail-dessert hybrid for an easy yet impressive end to an Italian-inspired al fresco dinner.

Bicicletta spritz

A sophisticated take on a classic cocktail, this recipe uses dry white wine (a light Italian variety) in place of the usual prosecco. Ideal for lazy summer afternoons.

Margarita

Lime juice, tequila and cointreau are all that is required to make our simple and delicious margarita. No self-respecting cocktail menu would be complete without this punchy, citrussy treat.

Take a look through our best ever margarita recipes for even more twists and variations.

Strawberry daiquiri

It's party time! Grab strawberries, rum, lime juice and ice, then blitz it all together for quick-as-you-like homemade cocktails that'll cool you right down.

Caipirinha

Mojito fans in particular will love this light, zesty yet punchy cocktail, which is Brazil's national drink. A properly refreshing sip for a summer's day.

Mint gin gimlet

Refreshing mint is a match made in heaven for the citrus zing of a gimlet in this bright and tangy cocktail.

Seabreeze cocktail

You'll need cranberry vodka, two types of sherry and grapefruit juice for this refreshing cocktail from Manzi's seafood restaurant in Soho.

Pineapple whisky sour

Pineapple juice adds a refreshing fruity twist to the classic whisky sour, as well as giving it a lighter edge. Try this recipe to see what we mean.

Strawberry tequila sangria

Strawberries and elderflower work surprisingly well with tequila. But you could swap the strawberries for raspberries, if you prefer.

Limoncello spritz

Make this limoncello spritz as a refreshing cocktail for a warm summer's evening.

Spicy peach palomas

The pickled jalapeño brine isn’t necessary here but it adds a saline note that complements the tequila.

Elderflower daiquiri

Summery, elegant and simple to make, this cocktail is also easy to adjust to your taste. Reduce the lime juice by 5ml to make it sweeter, or add more to sharpen.

Black Mout Montserrat cocktail

A quick and easy recipe which sings summer, give this spiced rum cocktail from Brixton restaurant Caribe’ a go.

Virgin mojito

Who needs rum for a refreshing cocktail in the sun? Whip-up an alcohol-free mojito with fresh lime, mint leaves, apple juice and sparkling water. All the Cuban flavour, none of the hangover!

Apricot bellini

Blitz fresh apricots to make our summery take on a classic Italian prosecco cocktail. If you love a bellini, try our quirky pear drop bellini recipe next.

Raspberry daiquiri

A classic with a twist, this bright-red concoction uses fresh raspberries, lots of lime juice and white rum. A fruity, refreshing cocktail that's perfect for summer.

Jamaican rum punch

This rum punch is packed with the tropical flavours of coconut, pineapple and lime. It's simple to make and can serve a crowd, meaning it's ideal for summer get-togethers. Serve alongside a Caribbean feast - check out our best Caribbean recipes for inspiration.

Lagerita cocktail

This lagerita takes the tequila from a classic margarita and combines it with beer. Make this quick and easy cocktail for a simple but refreshing drink this summer.

Classic sangria

Channel sunny holiday vibes with this classic Spanish tipple. Grab a bottle of light, dry red wine, some fruit, brandy and lemonade and create your own version of this refreshing punch. See more Spanish recipes for a Mediterranean-inspired feast.

Mezcal, pineapple and jalapeño smash

The smoky notes of the mezcal work wonderfully with the grilled pineapple and gentle heat from the chilli in this spicy drink, ideal for summer. It’s simple to make and can easily be made into a jug cocktail for a crowd. Find more of our jug cocktail recipes here.

Rosé negroni sbagliato

We've taken a classic Italian cocktail and given it a summery twist, perfect for an easy aperitivo.

Iced tea sangria

Eke out the last of the warm weather with this easy-drinking wine cocktail. Packed with zesty lemons, juicy oranges and a touch of sweet honey.

Elderflower and raspberry mocktail bottles

Make a batch of these summery portable mocktails in just ten minutes and pop in your picnic hamper.

Mezcal paloma

Check out this quick and easy summer cocktail recipe with mezcal, zesty limes and sweet yet slightly bitter grapefruit juice. A paloma is usually made with tequila but using mezcal instead adds a lovely smoky edge to the drink.

Dark and stormy punch

Want an easy rum punch recipe? Check out this quick and easy summer cocktail punch with tropical pineapple, zesty limes and fiery ginger. We have more great rum cocktails over here.

Frozen peach margaritas

Nothing quite says summer like a frozen margarita and we've given it a fruity twist with this recipe for frozen peach margaritas. They're easy to make and perfect for a boozy dessert.

Kombucha mule

Raw, fermented tea may not sound particularly appealing, but that’s exactly what kombucha is and it works really well in summery cocktails like this refreshing kombucha mule.

olive summer cup

This is our homemade version of Pimm's and it's the perfect drink for summer sipping. Plus, you probably already have the ingredients lurking in your cupboard.

Frozen sherry cobbler

We’ve made a sherry cobbler even more refreshing and summery by creating this frozen version, perfect for a hot day.