Getting the backyard ready for a party always takes longer than you think it will. Between the bags of coal sitting in the sun and the sound of chairs being dragged across the porch, there's always a lot of noise before the food actually hits the table. I've learned that people just need something cold in their hands while they wait for the grill to finally get hot.
These 25 Memorial Day drinks are built for that exact window of time when everyone is just hanging out and catching up. They are easy to pull together and taste exactly like a long weekend should.
Homemade Strawberry Lemonade
Real strawberries mixed with lemon juice create a bright pink color. It tastes much better than anything that comes from a box. I always make an extra jar because it disappears as soon as the grill heats up.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Strawberry Lemonade
Cucumber Margarita Mocktail
Long green ribbons of cucumber peel sit inside the glass and smell like a garden. The drink is light and doesn't have too much sugar. It feels good to hold while listening to the scrape of chairs across the patio.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Margarita Mocktail
Olive Garden Sangria
Chopped apples and oranges soak in the liquid to add extra flavor. The mix gets better the longer it sits in the pitcher. It is a big, colorful drink for a table full of hungry friends.
Get the Recipe: Olive Garden Sangria
Brazilian Limeade
Blending whole limes with sweet, thick milk makes a frothy, white drink. The result is creamy and sour at the same time, which is a nice surprise. It feels like a special treat for a holiday afternoon.
Get the Recipe: Brazilian Limeade
Blackberry Mint Magic Mojito Mocktail
Spicy ginger beer gives this drink a sharp, fizzy kick. Dark berries make the glass look very cool and taste a little tart. It is a great pick for a hot afternoon spent by the grill.
Get the Recipe: Blackberry Mint Magic Mojito Mocktail
Blueberry Raspberry Mocktail With Mint
Two kinds of berries and some fizzy soda make this a very bubbly treat. It looks very nice when served in a clear plastic cup. The mint leaves make the fruit taste even fresher.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Raspberry Mocktail With Mint
Watermelon Mocktail
A special citrus flavor makes this version taste a bit more grown-up. A sprig of fresh mint from the windowsill makes the whole glass smell great. Every sip feels crisp while the ice clinks in plastic cups.
Get the Recipe: Watermelon Mocktail
Lemon Mint Lemonade
Sour lemons and cool mint work together to make a very refreshing mix. I like to drink this on the porch when the air feels heavy and hot. It is a simple way to relax while the backyard fills with people.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Mint Lemonade
Frozen Strawberry Lemonade
Frozen berries and juice turn into a thick, cold slushy in the blender. The drink is so icy that you need a big straw to get through it. It feels like a fruit-flavored snowball while you wait for the burgers.
Get the Recipe: Frozen Strawberry Lemonade
Vodka Lemonade
This is an easy mix of lemon juice and a clear spirit for a quick drink. It is sweet and sour and doesn't need any fancy tools to make. Plenty of ice keeps it cold while the meat finally hits the grate.
Get the Recipe: Vodka Lemonade
Blood Orange Margarita Mocktail
Dark red juice makes a bold color when poured over white ice cubes. A salty spice on the edge of the cup gives the citrus a bit of a punch. The fresh scent fills the air while the charcoal turns grey.
Get the Recipe: Blood Orange Margarita Mocktail
Faux Mojito Mocktail
Squeezing fresh lime wedges into the glass adds a lot of bright flavor. You get all the minty taste of the original without any alcohol. This is a simple classic for that busy backyard moment.
Get the Recipe: Faux Mojito Mocktail
Watermelon Juice With Lime
Blending big chunks of melon turns them into a bright, simple juice. This thirst-quencher tastes exactly like the fruit but goes down much faster. It helps everyone stay cool while the sun hits the backyard.
Get the Recipe: Watermelon Juice With Lime
Hugo Basil Spritz
Using basil instead of mint gives this bubbly drink a peppery, green scent. The liquid is very light and doesn't weigh you down. It smells like a fresh herb garden in the middle of a BBQ.
Get the Recipe: Hugo Basil Spritz
Passion Fruit Margarita Mocktail
Scraped seeds from the fruit add a deep, tropical flavor to the glass. Everything stays cold when you stir it with a big handful of ice. It tastes exactly like the moment everyone finally sits down in their lawn chairs.
Get the Recipe: Passion Fruit Margarita Mocktail
Melon Margarita Mocktail
Ripe cantaloupe turns the liquid a soft orange color that looks nice in the light. The juice is a bit thicker than water and very refreshing. This is a quiet choice for that busy time before the food is ready.
Get the Recipe: Melon Margarita Mocktail
Orange Grapefruit Punch Mocktail
Sweet orange juice hides the slightly bitter taste of the grapefruit. It sits in a big bowl with fruit slices so people can help themselves. The bowl looks like a bright centerpiece on the crowded picnic table.
Get the Recipe: Orange Grapefruit Punch Mocktail
Virgin Strawberry Watermelon Margarita Mocktail
Red juice usually makes a small mess on the table, but the taste is worth it. Salt on the rim makes this fruit blend stand out. It comes out of the blender thick and icy, just in time for the first cooler to crack open.
Get the Recipe: Virgin Strawberry Watermelon Margarita Mocktail
Tropical Pineapple Dragon Fruit Mocktail
Dragon fruit turns this drink a bright pink color that looks like a sunset. Coconut water makes the tropical flavors taste smooth. It only takes a few minutes to blend while the guests arrive.
Get the Recipe: Tropical Pineapple Dragon Fruit Mocktail
Strawberry Rhubarb Punch
Rhubarb adds a little tartness that balances out the sweet strawberries. The bright red color looks just like summer. It is a great punch to share while the backyard party is in full swing.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Rhubarb Punch
Blueberry Mojito Mocktail
Crushing the berries turns the whole drink a deep, pretty purple. The mix has a rich fruit taste and a very fresh smell from the mint. These bright colors look great against the green grass of the yard.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Mojito Mocktail
Spicy Pineapple Margarita Mocktail
Tiny pieces of pepper float in the juice to add a little tingle. It uses a sweet syrup to balance out the sour fruit. This is a fun drink to hold while the backyard gets noisy and the grill starts to smoke.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Pineapple Margarita Mocktail
Lemon Mojito Mocktail
Mashed mint leaves at the bottom of the cup release a cool, herbal scent. Bubbles and lemon juice make the drink feel very zippy. It is a sparkly choice for when the party is just getting started.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Mojito Mocktail
Mango Mule Mocktail
Fizzy ginger soda gives the smooth mango juice a little bit of a tickle. The glass stays very cold if you use a metal cup. It is the perfect thing to have in hand while the first bag of chips is opened.
Get the Recipe: Mango Mule Mocktail
Piña Colada
Fresh pineapple and coconut milk make this drink very smooth and thick. The tropical taste isn't too sugary or heavy. I find it is best enjoyed while sitting in the shade of a patio umbrella.
Get the Recipe: Piña Colada
The charcoal is still cold, so you might as well have a drink in your hand.
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