Big Batch Summer Cocktails to Help You Keep Your Cool
Scorching summer temperatures call for a batch of refreshing drinks. Whether enjoyed poolside, lakeside, or on the front porch, fresh and flavorful cocktails can help you cool off and beat the heat. Incorporate the season's freshest produce into your beverages, like Peach Mojitos and Honeysuckle-Watermelon Cocktails. Hosting a backyard barbecue? These recipes can easily be doubled or tripled for hosting a crowd. Make a batch or two of these crowd-pleasing drink recipes along with these party-perfect appetizers, which will carry you from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Big-Batch Bloody Marys
Recipe: Big-Batch Bloody Marys
Now this is what we call a bottomless brunch! Never run out of Bloody Marys at your next morning event with this big-batch recipe.
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Papaya-Strawberry Cocktail
Recipe: Papaya-Strawberry Cocktail
At your next gathering, serve a cocktail filled with bright summer flavor. A favorite of San Antonio chef Johnny Hernandaz, this drink is best served over ice and garnished with orange slices and mint leaves.
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Big-Batch Spiked Arnold Palmers
Recipe: Big-Batch Spiked Arnold Palmers
You could say we "Southernized" an Arnold Palmer even more by adding bourbon to it. Serve this fun drink for adults at your next happy hour.
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Big-Batch Mint Tea Juleps
Recipe: Big Batch Mint Tea Juleps
Save on party prep time by stirring up a pitcher of Big-Batch Mint Tea Juleps. Serve it at your next Derby party or outdoor summer get-together.
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Big-Batch Bourbon Ginger Ale Punch
Recipe: Big-Batch Bourbon Ginger Ale Punch
We're all about muddling and getting fancy with our cocktails but sometimes it's nice to just throw everything in a pitcher and let the ingredients get friendly with each other. Well that's exactly what you can do with this Bourbon Ginger Ale Punch. Make your hostess experience a little less stressful by throwing these six ingredients in a pitcher and get back to the other important parts of party planning.
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Watermelon Margaritas
Recipe: Watermelon Margaritas
Make a batch of festive, bright pink margaritas for your next taco party. Watch our how-to video for easy, step-by-step instructions.
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Strawberry Margarita Spritzers
Recipe: Strawberry Margarita Spritzers
Beat the heat with this colorful cocktail. Daiquiri mix takes its fruity flavor to the next level.
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Mojitarita
Recipe: Mojitarita
Guests will love this riff on two classic summer cocktails. Make the simple syrup the night before, and quickly whip up this crowd-pleasing cocktail before company arrives. Follow our how-to for perfecting the recipe.
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Elderflower-Champagne Cocktail
Recipe: Elderflower-Champagne Cocktail
With only three ingredients, this cocktail is as refreshing as it is easy to make. Be sure to get a good-quality rosé or Prosecco so all of the ingredients have their moment to shine. For added pizazz at your next garden party, serve over floral-infused ice cubes. Â
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Tarragon-Hibiscus Gin Spritzer
Recipe: Tarragon-Hibiscus Gin Spritzer
This cocktail isn't too tart, or too sweet. It strikes the perfect balance making it an ideal summer sipper. The recipe can even be scaled up for a large crowd.
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Big-Batch Cajun Lemonade
Recipe: Big-Batch Cajun Lemonade
Liven up traditional lemonade with rum and a teaspoon of Tabasco.
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Honeysuckle-Watermelon Cocktails
Recipe: Honeysuckle-Watermelon Cocktails
What says summer more than fresh watermelon juice? Top it off with honeysuckle vodka, lemon-lime soda, and mint for a thirst-quenching cocktail.
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Lemon-Basil Spritzer
Recipe: Lemon-Basil Spritzer
It doesn't get much easier than this cocktail recipe. Our Lemon-Basil Spritzer requires just three ingredients and you probably already have them in your pantry. We love the spontaneity that can come from quickly whipping up a cocktail on a dime.
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Lavender-Plum Shrub
Recipe: Lavender-Plum Shrub
A shrub is a tangy, fruit and vinegar-based old-fashioned cocktail. The key is letting it sit so that all the ingredients can meld together. You'll love fresh herbs in this drink, plus it's a great make-ahead drink for parties.
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Bourbon-Peach Iced Tea
Recipe: Bourbon-Peach Iced Tea
You may be skeptical of this drink's qualification as a cocktail, but we politely disagree with you. Really anything can be a cocktail with your favorite spirit and a good mixer! That's why we love this hard twist on our favorite peach iced tea recipe.
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Sweet Tea Mule
Recipe: Sweet Tea Mule
Here's another boozy spin on sweet tea. A Sweet Tea Mule is the party-ready drink that we'll be sipping on all summer.
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Old Fashioned
Recipe: Old Fashioned
Did you know the Old Fashioned is thought to be the first drink to be called a cocktail? We love this sweet twist on the classic drink. The addition of lemon-lime soda water adds just the right amount of sweetness to adjust your palate to the original time-honored sipper.
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Spicy Bourbon Citrus Punch
Recipe: Spicy Bourbon Citrus Punch
This cocktail is sure to be the talk of the town at your next happy hour. Spicy ginger and bourbon add a bit of punch while the orange and lemon juices tone everything for a balanced flavor.
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Bourbon Cola Grenadine Slush
Recipe: Bourbon Cola Grenadine Slush
You'll want to make this slush for the start of tailgate season. What could be better than America's favorite beverage (besides sweet tea, of course) paired with bourbon?
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Bourbon Slush
Recipe: Bourbon Slush
No one likes a watered-down cocktail, so use this Bourbon Slush recipe to whip up a frozen cocktail that's tasty and oh-so-refreshing for hot summer days.
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Hibiscus-Mint Margaritas
Recipe: Hibiscus-Mint Margaritas
Why not take a summer tea and make it into a fresh and citrusy adult beverage? We're going to sit back in a hammock with this one in hand.
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Pitcher Mojitos
Recipe: Pitcher Mojitos
This recipe will spice up your next girls' night. In order to get the most out of your limes, make sure you buy tender ones from the store. Hard citrus often leads to less juice (and more work, which no one wants!).