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  5. 35 Southern Porch Cocktails Begging To Be Your New House Drink

35 Southern Porch Cocktails Begging To Be Your New House Drink

Southern Living May 2021 Cover
By Southern Living Editors Updated May 23, 2022
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Bourbon-Peach Iced Tea
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Kay E. Clarke; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin

The porch, being a perfectly Southern space, calls for perfect Southern manners—and it'd be rude not to offer every visitor a refreshing beverage, right? That's what our mamas taught us, anyway. So better get that bar cart stocked because you're going to want to have these cool, crisp, and perfectly thirst-quenching cocktails on hand for afternoons spent out on the porch, where it seems to always be happy hour.

From big-batch recipes like minty pitcher mojitos and watermelon sangria to all-time favorites like spiked sweet tea and the classic French 75, these are our favorite cocktails to offer up any time someone gathers on our Southern porches. (Serve 'em up time and again, and they just might become your signature house drink.) Here are the 35 best Southern porch cocktails to make for every happy hour at home. 

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Pitcher Mojitos

Pitcher Mojitos
Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Recipe: Pitcher Mojitos

These go down so easy you'll need to go ahead and make a pitcher. Garnish each glass with fresh mint and lime for a heavenly aroma that hits you before you even take a sip.

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Watermelon Sangria

Watermelon Sangria
Credit: Katie Jacobs

Recipe: Watermelon Sangria

We combined two of our favorite summer treats: fresh watermelon and iced-down sangria. This sangria gets a blush-colored upgrade with a mix of both still and sparkling rosé wines, making it more than ideal to sip by the pool, on the porch, or at the beach.

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Salty Dog Cocktail

Salty Dog Cocktail
Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Recipe: Salty Dog Cocktail

A twist on the classic vodka- and grapefruit-infused Greyhound drink, this refresher makes use of gin, grapefruit juice, and salt for a cocktail that's anything but saccharine-sweet. 

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Summer Cobbler Cocktail

Summer Cobbler Cocktail
Credit: Helen Norman; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: Marian Cooper Cairns

Recipe: Summer Cobbler Cocktail

This recipe proves that whiskey drinks can be refreshing and fit for summer. Made with fresh blackberries, blackberry preserves, white whiskey, and lime, it is like summer in a shaker. 

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Sweet Tea Mule

Sweet Tea Mule
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Sweet Tea Mule

This one is a boozy spin on sweet tea, the South's favorite beverage. All you need is ginger beer, bourbon, and lime juice to have the ultimate porch cocktail.

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Spicy Watermelon Refresher

Spicy Watermelon Refresher
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Spicy Watermelon Refresher

A spicy, more bubbly version of a watermelon margarita, this recipe makes use of serrano peppers and tequila reposado (which is slightly smoky and incredibly smooth). Ah, feeling the good vibrations already.

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Lemon-Basil Spritzer

Lemon-Basil Spritzer
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Lemon-Basil Spritzer

We kept the list of ingredients short and sweet on this spritzer: lemon, fresh basil leaves, our simple syrup, and your bubbly mix-in of choice. Because you don't need all the bells and whistles when you have hard-working flavors like lemon and super aromatic basil. 

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Big Batch Bloody Marys

Big Batch Bloody Marys
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Big Batch Bloody Marys

A perfectly balanced, not-too-heavy Bloody Mary is hard to master—but luckily we already did the leg work for you. This big-batch recipe serves ten people, easy. Switch the vodka out for tequila to turn it into a Bloody Maria. 

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French 75

French 75
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: French 75

Classy as a string of pearls, this gin cocktail makes you want to sit back and fan yourself with a bit of flair. Top it off with a lemon twist and rosemary sprigs for a fancy finish.

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Pineapple-Coconut Fizz

Pineapple-Coconut Fizz
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Pineapple-Coconut Fizz

This combination of pineapple, coconut, and rum is enough to transport you straight to the Keys. Swaying palm trees included. Like a piña colada, but way lighter and more low maintenance.

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Aperol and Blood Orange-Mint Spritz

Aperol and Blood Orange-Mint Spritz
Credit: Peter Frank Edwards

Recipe: Aperol and Blood Orange-Mint Spritz

Aperol spritzes are quite en vogue right now, and we get it. They're light, fresh, and make you feel like you're on an Italian beach somewhere. We added blood orange juice and fresh mint to make it even more vibrant. 

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Cucumber-Honeydew Cooler

Cucumber-Honeydew Cooler
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Cucumber-Honeydew Cooler

Cucumber and honeydew is the cocktail duo we never knew we needed—until this cool gin drink walked into our happy hour. 

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Moscow Mules

Moscow Mules

Recipe: Moscow Mules

How cute are the copper mugs alone? That's reason enough to make this simple but crowd-pleasing cocktail of crisp vodka, slightly spicy ginger beer (read: NOT ginger ale), and zingy lime juice.

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Blackberry-Mint Sparkler

Blackberry-Mint Sparkler
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Blackberry-Mint Sparkler

Your shady porch swing is begging to get a taste of this easy-drinking spritz that uses in-season blackberries and fresh mint. 

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Watermelon Margaritas

Watermelon Margaritas On The Rocks
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Watermelon Margaritas

Fact: Everyone loves this margarita. End of story. Fresh watermelon makes a classic recipe even better. 

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Frozen Margarita

Frozen Margarita
Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Frozen Margarita

Trust us, this is way better than the sugary restaurant renditions you'll order elsewhere. This recipe hits the perfect blend of salt, sweetness, slush, and spirits—and it serves eight people. (Or less, if you're motivated.)

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Basil Bourbon Orange Smash

Basil Bourbon Orange Smash
Credit: Becky Luigart Stayner

Recipe: Basil Bourbon Orange Smash

Fresh seasonal fruit and liquor are smashed together over ice for this citrusy delight.

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Key Lime Daiquiris

Key Lime Daiquiris
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Kay E. Clarke; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey

Recipe: Key Lime Daiquiris

Make every day feel like vacation with one of these tropical drinks.

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Southern Sunrise

Southern Sunrise
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Thom Driver; Food Stylist: Tina Stamos

Recipe: Southern Sunrise

The name says it all. This beautiful cocktail relies on just a few ingredients, making it easier than ever to kick back and relax.

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Blackberry Bramble Pisco Sours

Blackberry Bramble Pisco Sours
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Stylist: Tina Stamos

Recipe: Blackberry Bramble Pisco Sours

Blackberries are just one treasure of summer. Try this recipe if you've gone overboard picking and have far too many on your hands.

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Hurricane Cocktail

Hurricane Cocktail
Credit: Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Recipe: Hurricane Cocktail

This drink certainly packs a punch, so take your time as you sip and enjoy.

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Strawberry Piña Coladas

Strawberry Pina Colada
Credit: Photographer and props: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Strawberry Piña Coladas

Close your eyes as you sip on this delicious drink and you'll feel like you're on the beach.

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Texas Ranch Water

Texas Ranch Water Cocktail
Credit: Getty Images/Lauren King / EyeEm

Recipe: Texas Ranch Water

Think of ranch water as a dressed down margarita that's hard to mess up.

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Bourbon-Peach Iced Tea

Bourbon-Peach Iced Tea
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Kay E. Clarke; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin

Recipe: Bourbon-Peach Iced Tea

Pair these two Southern staples together for a stellar sipper.

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Whiskey Sour Slush

Whiskey Sour Slush
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Whiskey Sour Slush

A splash of lemonade and sparkling citrus soda dress these whiskey sours up.

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Lemon Mint Sparklers

Lemon Mint Sparklers
Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Lemon Mint Sparklers

Garnish with some mint (grown on the porch of course!) and you're ready to go.

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Shoo-Fly Punch

Shoo-Fly Punch
Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Shoo-Fly Punch

Ginger beer is the secret to this zesty and refreshing cocktail.

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Carolina Peach Sangria

Southern Sangria Recipes
Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Carolina Peach Sangria

Southern peaches do love to put on a show, don't they? Get epic summer flavor in every sip of this rosé sangria. 

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Spiked Arnold Palmer

Spiked Arnold Palmer
Credit: Ralph Anderson

Recipe: Spiked Arnold Palmer

This recipe marries three Southern favorites—bourbon, tea, and lemonade.

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Blushing Mimosas

Blushing Mimosas
Credit: Ralph Anderson; Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine

Recipe: Blushing Mimosas

Pineapple juice and grenadine add a twist to classic mimosas.

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Black-Eyed Susan Slushies

Black-Eyed Susan Slushies
Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Stying: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Recipe: Black-Eyed Susan Slushies 

Test kitchen star Ivy Odom whipped up this recipe for the Derby this year, but we think it deserves a spot on your summer drink line-up too. With citrus, pineapple juice, ginger ale, and bourbon all mixed up in a slushie, what's not to love?! 

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Mojitarita

Mojitarita
Credit: Katie Jacobs

Recipe: Mojitarita

Mojitos and margaritas are both summertime favorites—and thanks to this recipe, there's no need to decide between the two. This cocktail is as refreshing as a margarita but with the minty kick of a mojito.

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4th of July Punch

4th of July Punch
Credit: Jennifer Causey

Recipe: 4th of July Punch

With a name like this, this punch needs no explanation. But trust us: This batch-made cocktail is perfect for group gatherings on the 4th of July and beyond. 

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Aperol Bourbon Fizz

Aperol Bourbon Fizz
Credit: Becky Luigart Stayner

Recipe: Aperol Bourbon Fizz

Bourbon drinkers, we didn't forget about you. This recipe calls for bourbon and Aperol, making it a go-to drink for a hot afternoon in the South. 

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Classic Transfusion Cocktail

Transfusion Cocktail
Credit: Getty Images/JB325

Recipe: Classic Transfusion Cocktail

This cocktail is a favorite on the golf course so you know it's designed for enjoying outside. This summer, we say, why not make it a staple on your front porch too?! 

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    1 of 35 Pitcher Mojitos
    2 of 35 Watermelon Sangria
    3 of 35 Salty Dog Cocktail
    4 of 35 Summer Cobbler Cocktail
    5 of 35 Sweet Tea Mule
    6 of 35 Spicy Watermelon Refresher
    7 of 35 Lemon-Basil Spritzer
    8 of 35 Big Batch Bloody Marys
    9 of 35 French 75
    10 of 35 Pineapple-Coconut Fizz
    11 of 35 Aperol and Blood Orange-Mint Spritz
    12 of 35 Cucumber-Honeydew Cooler
    13 of 35 Moscow Mules
    14 of 35 Blackberry-Mint Sparkler
    15 of 35 Watermelon Margaritas
    16 of 35 Frozen Margarita
    17 of 35 Basil Bourbon Orange Smash
    18 of 35 Key Lime Daiquiris
    19 of 35 Southern Sunrise
    20 of 35 Blackberry Bramble Pisco Sours
    21 of 35 Hurricane Cocktail
    22 of 35 Strawberry Piña Coladas
    23 of 35 Texas Ranch Water
    24 of 35 Bourbon-Peach Iced Tea
    25 of 35 Whiskey Sour Slush
    26 of 35 Lemon Mint Sparklers
    27 of 35 Shoo-Fly Punch
    28 of 35 Carolina Peach Sangria
    29 of 35 Spiked Arnold Palmer
    30 of 35 Blushing Mimosas
    31 of 35 Black-Eyed Susan Slushies
    32 of 35 Mojitarita
    33 of 35 4th of July Punch
    34 of 35 Aperol Bourbon Fizz
    35 of 35 Classic Transfusion Cocktail

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    35 Southern Porch Cocktails Begging To Be Your New House Drink
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