85 Refreshing Summer Drink Recipes: Your Ultimate Guide to Beating the Heat

As the sun graces us with its warmth and the days extend into long, beautiful evenings, there’s a collective craving for something cool, crisp, and utterly delicious. While the thought of autumn might be on some minds, we choose to embrace every last moment of summer joy! To keep the vibrant spirit of the season alive and ensure you stay wonderfully refreshed, we’ve gathered an extraordinary collection of 85 refreshing summer drink recipes.

This comprehensive guide is your passport to an array of delightful concoctions, carefully categorized to include both invigorating non-alcoholic options and sophisticated spirited drinks. Whether you’re planning a lively backyard barbecue, a relaxed afternoon by the pool, a quiet moment on your patio, or simply need a delicious way to hydrate, this list has you covered. Prepare to discover new favorites and revisit classic tastes that will make your summer celebrations truly unforgettable. Let’s dive in and toast to endless summer days!

Non-Alcoholic Summer Drink Sensations: Refreshment for Everyone

Staying cool and perfectly hydrated is paramount during the warmer months, and our curated selection of non-alcoholic summer drinks offers a fantastic array of options bursting with natural flavors. These mocktails, vibrant lemonades, soothing iced teas, and creamy smoothies are crafted to refresh and invigorate, making them perfect for all ages and any occasion where alcohol isn’t desired. Embrace the natural sweetness of fresh fruits, the zesty punch of citrus, and the calming coolness of mint and herbs in these vibrant beverages. They are ideal for family gatherings, kid-friendly parties, or simply enjoying a moment of pure, unadulterated refreshment under the summer sky.

Fruity & Exotic Coolers

Dive into a world of tropical flavors and sweet fruit infusions with these delightful coolers. From vibrant teas to unique aguas frescas, these drinks are perfect for a sunny day, offering a taste of paradise in every sip.

Starbucks Passion Tea Lemonade // Persnickety Plates: A homemade rendition of a popular tangy and sweet tea lemonade, perfect for a vibrant pick-me-up.
Papaya and Lime Agua Fresca // The View from Great Island: A light, wonderfully refreshing, and naturally sweet Mexican beverage that’s both simple and exotic.
Raspberry Mango Cooler // Homemaking Hacks: A luscious blend of two iconic summer fruits, creating a wonderfully vibrant and cooling drink.
Strawberry Orange Cooler // Wine Lady Cooks: A bright and citrusy concoction featuring the juicy goodness of strawberries and oranges, ideal for any gathering.
Mango Planter’s Punch Mocktail Recipe // Jeanette’s Healthy Living: An exotic and fruity punch that transports your taste buds straight to a tropical paradise.
Blackberry Honey Spritzer // Wonky Wonderful: A sweet, effervescent, and beautifully colored drink with the rich, deep flavor of blackberries.
Raspberry Lime Spritzers // Taste As You Go: A delightful combination of zesty lime and sweet raspberry, creating an incredibly effervescent and thirst-quenching drink.

Classic & Creative Lemonades & Limeades

Nothing embodies the spirit of summer quite like a glass of lemonade. Explore traditional recipes and exciting, modern twists that infuse this timeless drink with new and captivating flavors and aromatic profiles.

Lemon Cream Sodas // Jen’s Favorite Cookies: A wonderfully creamy, dreamy take on classic lemonade, offering a delightful nostalgic flavor.
Blackberry Lemonade // One Sweet Appetite: The perfect balance of tart lemon and the natural sweetness of ripe blackberries, creating a stunning and delicious drink.
Mint Limeade // One Sweet Appetite: A truly cooling and zesty beverage, invigorated with a refreshing hint of fresh mint.
Limonana {Middle Eastern Frozen Mint Lemonade} // An Edible Mosaic: A truly invigorating frozen lemonade, featuring the vibrant coolness of fresh mint, perfect for extremely hot days.
Fresh Squeezed Lemonade // Life Tastes Good: The quintessential summer drink, pure, simple, and utterly satisfying.
Chili and Herb Infused Lemonade // Seasonal & Savory: An unexpected and exciting flavor combination for the adventurous palate, offering a subtle warmth and herbaceous depth.
Homemade Strawberry Lemonade // Overtime Cook: A vibrant and sweetly tart twist on traditional lemonade, showcasing the best of summer strawberries.
Iced Tea with Strawberries and Lemonade // Lemons for Lulu: A delightful fusion, expertly combining two beloved summer beverages into one harmonious drink.
Watermelon Limeade // Busy in Brooklyn: Sweet, juicy watermelon perfectly paired with zesty lime for a truly perfect thirst quencher.
Cantaloupe Mocktini/Martini // Tasty Yummies: A sophisticated, alcohol-free melon-infused drink that’s both elegant and refreshing.
Rosemary Lemonade // Like Mother, Like Daughter: An aromatic and herbaceous take on classic lemonade, adding an unexpected layer of flavor.
Blended Mint Lemonade // Aida Mollenkamp: A cool, slushy lemonade with an invigorating mint kick, ideal for hot afternoons.
Sparkling Mint Lemonade // Renee’s Kitchen Adventures: Effervescent and bright, this lemonade offers a refreshing sparkle and a lovely minty finish.

Smoothies, Floats & Frosties

For a thicker, more indulgent treat, these smoothies, floats, and frosty delights are the perfect answer. They offer a fantastic way to enjoy fresh fruits and creamy textures, turning refreshment into a satisfying experience.

Tropical Almond Coconut Mango Smoothie // A Cedar Spoon: A creamy, dreamy taste of the tropics, blending mango, almond, and coconut into a smooth delight.
Mojito Smoothie // Wonky Wonderful: All the zesty, minty flavors of a mojito, transformed into a healthy and refreshing smoothie.
Mango Slushie // Wonky Wonderful: A simple yet incredibly delicious frozen mango treat, perfect for cooling down.
Pineapple Orange Creamsicle Smoothie // Two Healthy Kitchens: Reminiscent of a beloved childhood frozen treat, reimagined as a healthy and creamy smoothie.
Banana Foster Smoothie // Food Faith Fitness: A decadent, dessert-like smoothie inspired by the classic banana foster dessert.
Cheater Margarita Smoothie // Farm Fresh Feasts: Enjoy all the vibrant flavors of a margarita, crafted into a delightful alcohol-free smoothie.
Strawberry Mango Margarita (Mocktail) // A Cedar Spoon: A vibrant, fruity smoothie that tastes like the essence of summer, offering a mocktail margarita experience.
Watermelon Frosty // Cupcake Diaries: A simple, wonderfully cool, and perfectly sweet watermelon delight.
Raspberry Floats // Cupcake Diaries: A bubbly and sweet treat with the delightful tartness of fresh raspberries, ideal for a fun dessert-drink.
Pomegranate Blueberry Float // Two Peas & Their Pod: A visually stunning and equally delicious fruity float that combines rich pomegranate with sweet blueberries.

Pomegranate Blueberry Float

Photo courtesy of Two Peas & Their Pod

Banana Foster Smoothie

Photo courtesy of Food Faith Fitness

Iced Teas & Sparkling Beverages

From classic Southern sweet tea to creative herbal infusions and sparkling fizzes, these recipes provide a sophisticated and delightful way to cool down, offering a range of flavors for every tea and sparkling drink enthusiast.

Photo courtesy of The View From Great Island

Honeysuckle Iced Tea // The View from Great Island: A unique and fragrant tea that beautifully captures the delicate essence of summer blooms.
Tangelo Mint Iced Tea // Homemaking Hacks: A refreshing blend of bright citrus tangelo and cool mint, perfect for a hot, sunny day.

Photo courtesy of Diethood

Hibiscus Iced Tea Sparkler // Diethood: A vibrant, floral, and fizzy tea drink that’s as beautiful to look at as it is to drink.
Watermelon Ice // Taste and Tell: A simple, cooling, and pure treat for all watermelon lovers, perfect for a light refreshment.
Sparkling Cucumber Limeade // Taste and Tell: A uniquely refreshing and crisp drink with a lovely fizz, offering a sophisticated taste profile.

Photo courtesy Cooking with Books

Citrus Hibiscus Fizz // Cooking with Books: A beautiful and zesty sparkling drink with a delicate floral note, making it a sophisticated choice.
Practically Perfect Pineapple Punch // Mom On Timeout: A delightful, crowd-pleasing punch bursting with pineapple flavor, perfect for any party or gathering.
Sweet Peach Iced Tea // Erren’s Kitchen: The classic Southern comfort drink, beautifully elevated with the juicy sweetness of fresh peaches.

Virgin Cocktails & Mocktails

Enjoy all the sophisticated flavors and elaborate presentations of classic cocktails without the alcohol. These virgin versions are just as delicious and satisfying, proving that complex flavors don’t always need spirits.

Virgin Mojitos // Jen’s Favorite Cookies: The classic mint and lime combination, perfected for a truly refreshing and alcohol-free treat.

Alcoholic Summer Drinks: Crafting Cocktails for Celebrations

For those looking to add a little sparkle, sophistication, or festive kick to their summer evenings and gatherings, our collection of alcoholic drinks offers an exciting range of cocktails, vibrant sangrias, and light spritzers. These recipes are specifically designed to complement sunny days and warm nights, providing a perfect blend of refreshing flavors and a celebratory spirit. Whether you’re a connoisseur of classic cocktails or eager to try something new and adventurously flavored, you’ll find plenty of inspiration here to mix up truly memorable drinks. Ideal for adult parties, relaxed sundowners, or simply unwinding after a long, beautiful day.

Sensational Sangrias & Punches

Sangrias are the quintessential summer party drink, offering a delightful and often visually stunning blend of wine, fresh fruit, and often a touch of spirits. Our selection includes both traditional and imaginative variations to suit every preference.

Strawberry Sangria // A Cedar Spoon: A sweet and incredibly fruity sangria, bursting with the luscious flavor of ripe strawberries.

Photo courtesy of The Cookie Rookie

Strawberry Margarita Punch // The Cookie Rookie: A festive and flavorful punch that’s incredibly easy to make for a crowd, combining two party favorites.
Summer Peach and Basil Sangria // The View from Great Island: A unique and aromatic blend of sweet peach and fragrant fresh basil, offering a sophisticated twist.
Strawberry Watermelon Sparkling Sangria // Nosh and Nourish: A light, wonderfully bubbly, and incredibly refreshing sangria, perfect for summer celebrations.

Photo courtesy of The Law Student’s Wife

Strawberry Rhubarb Apple Sangria // The Law Student’s Wife: A delightful and tart sangria with wonderful seasonal flavors, offering a refreshing and unique profile.

Photo courtesy of Sugar Dish Me

Sweet Tea Sangria // Sugar Dish Me: A Southern-inspired sangria, combining the comforting flavors of sweet tea with wine and fresh fruit.
Blueberry Sangria // Julie’s Eats & Treats: A rich and vibrantly fruity sangria, perfect for blueberry enthusiasts and lively gatherings.
Peach Beer Sangria // The Beeroness: An inventive and intriguing sangria combining the best of crisp beer and sweet peaches for a unique summer drink.
Tangelo Sangria // Karen’s Kitchen Stories: A zesty and refreshing sangria featuring the bright, sweet-tart flavor of tangelo citrus.

Mojitos & Mules with a Twist

Classic mojitos and spirited Moscow mules receive exciting makeovers with fresh fruits, aromatic herbs, and unique flavor combinations, perfect for a vibrant and memorable summer sip.

Blackberry Mojito // The View from Great Island: A beautifully dark and fruity take on the classic mojito, with the added sweetness of blackberries.
Sparkling Mint Juleps // The Kitchen is My Playground: An effervescent and lighter version of the beloved Kentucky Derby classic, perfect for summer.

Photo courtesy of Cooking on the Front Burner

Grapefruit Lime Basil Cocktail // Cooking on the Front Burner: A sophisticated and aromatic cocktail with a refreshing zing of citrus and a hint of fresh basil.
Cucumber Mojito // Diethood: A wonderfully cool and crisp mojito, infused with refreshing cucumber, perfect for hot days.
Blueberry Ginger Mojitos // Frugal Foodie Mama: A spicy and sweet mojito with a unique twist, blending fresh blueberries with warming ginger.

Photo courtesy of Aida Mollenkamp

Strawberry Moscow Mule // Aida Mollenkamp: A fruity and subtly fiery twist on the classic Moscow Mule, featuring sweet strawberries.
Coconut Mojito // Nutmeg Nanny: A delicious tropical take on the traditional mojito, perfect for bringing beach vibes to your glass.
Blackberry Moscow Mule // Eat Your Heart Out: A rich and refreshing mule elevated with the juicy sweetness of fresh blackberries.

Margaritas & Daiquiris

These iconic frozen and blended delights are perfect for a festive poolside party, a lively gathering, or simply a relaxed evening, offering a burst of flavor and a celebratory feel.

Cherry Limeade Margarita // The Cookie Rookie: A sweet and tart margarita that delightfully evokes favorite childhood soda flavors.
Watermelon Lemonade Slushy // A Cedar Spoon: A delightfully boozy and wonderfully refreshing watermelon treat, perfect for cooling down.
Watermelon-Moscato Slush // The Kitchen is My Playground: A light and fruity slushie with a delicate hint of Moscato wine, offering a touch of elegance.
Frozen Watermelon Margaritas // Liv Life: The ultimate thirst-quenching frozen cocktail for summer, blending sweet watermelon with classic margarita flavors.
Overnight Daiquiris // Simply Sated: Prepare these delightful daiquiris in advance for effortless entertaining, saving you time at your next party.
Banana Pina Colada // Tasty Yummies: A creamy, tropical indulgence that’s perfectly suited for a dessert-like cocktail.

Creative Cocktails & Spritzers

Explore unique and inventive cocktails that push the boundaries of flavor, from spicy infusions to unexpected fruit pairings and sophisticated spritzers, ensuring there’s always something new to try.

Easy Peach Lemonade // The Cookie Rookie: A simple, wonderfully sweet, and spirited lemonade that’s easy to whip up.
Pink Summer Shandy // The Cookie Rookie: A light, refreshing beer cocktail perfect for a sunny afternoon, with a lovely pink hue.
Nectarine Vodka Chiller // A Healthy Life For Me: A crisp and cool vodka drink featuring the delicate and sweet flavor of nectarine.
Watermelon Poptini // Snappy Gourmet: A fun and vibrant martini featuring the fresh, juicy goodness of watermelon.
Fresh Fruit Lychee Martini // Tasting Page: An elegant and exotic martini with the sweet, floral notes of lychee fruit.
Blackberry Sage Jam Cocktails // With Food + Love: An artisanal cocktail with a unique savory-sweet balance, featuring homemade blackberry sage jam.
Boozy Green Lemonade // With Food + Love: A refreshing and vibrant green drink with a spirited kick, offering a unique flavor profile.
White Wine Cocktail with Peaches and Honey Fig Syrup // Food Faith Fitness: A sophisticated and sweet white wine cocktail, elevated with peaches and a unique honey fig syrup.
Mexican Martinis // Quarter Life (Crisis) Cuisine: A zesty and flavorful martini with a distinct Mexican flair, perfect for a festive occasion.
Grapefruit Lime Basil Cocktail // Cooking on the Front Burner: A refreshingly vibrant cocktail combining the zest of grapefruit and lime with aromatic basil.
Iced Arnold Palmer Teagaritas // Frugal Foodie Mama: A clever and refreshing fusion of iced tea, lemonade, and tequila, perfect for a unique summer sip.
Lemon Lime Vodka Cooler // A Cedar Spoon: A simple, zesty, and incredibly refreshing vodka cooler, ideal for a light and bright drink.
Strawberry Basil Champagne Sparklers // The Law Student’s Wife: An elegant and fragrant sparkling wine cocktail, combining sweet strawberries with fresh basil.
Pimm’s “Sippy” Cup // The Boys Club: A classic British summer cocktail, light and wonderfully fruity, perfect for garden parties.
Moscato and Berry Wine Spritzers // The Hungry Goddess: Sweet Moscato wine beautifully combined with fresh berries for a light and fruity spritzer.
Pink Moscato Lemonade // Julie’s Eats & Treats: A sweet and delightfully bubbly lemonade with a Moscato kick, offering a lovely pink hue.
Spiked Raspberry-Lime Coconut Water // A Cedar Spoon: A light, hydrating, and subtly boozy refreshment, perfect for a guilt-free indulgence.
Nectarine Vodka Chiller // A Healthy Life For Me: Another crisp and cool vodka drink featuring the delicate and sweet flavor of nectarine, perfect for warm days.
Skinny Spicy Tequila Cocktail // Keep It Sweet Desserts: A lean and lively cocktail with a fantastic kick of spice, for those who like a little heat.
Summertime Blood Orange Martinis // Noble Pig: A vibrant and zesty martini with the rich, complex flavor of blood oranges, truly a treat for the senses.
Peach Serrano Shrub // Autumn Makes & Does: A unique sweet and spicy vinegar-based drink, combined with spirits for a surprisingly complex flavor profile.

Photo courtesy of Mom On Timeout

3 Ingredient Coconut Peach Cooler // Mom On Timeout: An incredibly easy and fantastically refreshing peach and coconut cocktail, perfect for quick preparation.

As you can see, the possibilities for delightful summer drinks are truly endless! This extensive list of 85 refreshing recipes, ranging from invigorating non-alcoholic options perfect for any time of day to sophisticated alcoholic concoctions ideal for celebrating, ensures your summer will be filled with delicious sips. Whether you prefer the zesty kick of citrus, the tropical sweetness of mango, the comforting blend of tea, or the bubbly charm of a spritzer, there’s a recipe here to quench every type of thirst and suit every mood.

Don’t let the last glorious days of warm weather slip by without trying a few of these incredible beverages. They’re perfect for bringing friends and family together, adding a special, festive touch to your backyard barbecues, or simply enjoying a peaceful moment of bliss in the sun. So gather your freshest ingredients, chill your favorite glasses, and get ready to toast to a fantastic summer filled with unforgettable flavors and joyful memories!

Looking for even more drink inspiration? Be sure to check out my Drinks to Sip On Pinterest Board for a continuous flow of refreshing ideas and visual delights!

I would love to connect with you on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Google + and Instagram. Let’s share our favorite summer sips and connect!

Cheers to a summer full of delightful drinks!

Julia