The first sign of a great summer cocktail isn't the taste. It's the cold glass in your hand, already covered in tiny beads of condensation before you've had a chance to take a sip. I've always loved that moment because it feels like the day is asking you to slow down for a while. These 15 summer cocktail recipes are the ones I reach for when the weather is hot, the ice bucket is full, and good company is close by.
Ocean Water Cocktail
This bright blue drink looks exactly like a cool tropical wave and cools you down just as fast. It mixes coconut water and rum to keep you comfortable while you relax in the shade.
Get the Recipe: Ocean Water Cocktail
Champagne Pomegranate Cocktail
Pouring cold bubbles is my favorite way to make a sticky, hot afternoon feel instantly fancy. Splashing tart pomegranate juice into champagne creates a gorgeous, dripping glass to share with friends.
Get the Recipe: Champagne Pomegranate Cocktail
El Presidente Cocktail
This smooth, retro rum drink is built for sipping out on the porch after the sun goes down. It is a cool, classic pour that helps you unwind before your glass even starts to sweat.
Get the Recipe: El Presidente Cocktail
Madras Cocktail
I love swapping out my morning mimosa for this colorful, tart blend of cranberry and orange. It is a crisp drink that starts sweating the moment you take it out to the porch.
Get the Recipe: Madras Cocktail
Raspberry Mojito Cocktail
There is nothing better than grabbing fresh mint from the garden to throw into a cold, muddled drink. Sweet red raspberries make this beautiful cup of comfort the perfect backyard companion.
Get the Recipe: Raspberry Mojito Cocktail
Passion Fruit Martini Cocktail
This tropical drink tastes like a vacation in a glass, especially when you need a quick afternoon escape. Sweet passion fruit and vanilla vodka get your glass sweating the second you step outside.
Get the Recipe: Passion Fruit Martini Cocktail
Canadian Caesar Cocktail
You either love or hate a savory cocktail, but this cold, salty favorite is impossible to resist. It mixes clamato and pickle brine for a crisp drink that beats the afternoon heat.
Get the Recipe: Canadian Caesar Cocktail
Caipirinha Cocktail
You only need three simple ingredients to make Brazil's famous, ice-cold lime drink right at home. It is built to stay frosty even when the afternoon sun is shining directly on your table.
Get the Recipe: Caipirinha Cocktail
Aguardiente Sour
To shake up your weekend routine, this icy Colombian drink is the easiest place to start. It stays so cold that your glass will drip with condensation before your first sip.
Get the Recipe: Aguardiente Sour
Gin Basil Smash Cocktail
Throwing fresh garden herbs into your shaker might be the smartest way to cool down this summer. Peppery basil and cold gin make a crisp, clean sip that instantly stops the heat.
Get the Recipe: Gin Basil Smash Cocktail
Dirty Shirley Cocktail
This fizzy, sweet drink will instantly take you back to your favorite childhood pool days. Adding a splash of vodka to the cherry soda makes a cold treat to enjoy in the backyard.
Get the Recipe: Dirty Shirley Cocktail
1001 Arabian Nights Cocktail
Adding tahini to a cocktail sounds crazy until you taste how creamy it makes this cold pineapple drink. The earthy flavor is exactly what you need to cool off when the sun beats on your patio.
Get the Recipe: 1001 Arabian Nights Cocktail
Bramble Cocktail
Crushed ice and sweet blackberry syrup pair well when the weather gets hot. The ice stays piled high in your cup, creating a frosty, dripping glass to hold on to.
Get the Recipe: Bramble Cocktail
The Perfect Paloma Cocktail
If you love a margarita, you need to try this bubbly grapefruit classic with a salted rim. It is a simple, refreshing pour that keeps you relaxed on the stickiest days of the year.
Get the Recipe: The Perfect Paloma Cocktail
Lemon Lillet Martini
I always keep a bottle of Lillet on hand just for those nights when the humidity is unbearable. The sharp lemon finish cools you down instantly while your glass collects a heavy layer of frost.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Lillet Martini
Pick the cocktail that made you thirsty first, fill your glass with plenty of ice, and enjoy every refreshing sip of summer.
