Food and Recipes Drinks 50 Refreshing Drinks You'll Want to Sip All Summer Long By Mary Shannon Wells Mary Shannon Wells Mary Shannon is an Associate Digital Editor and has been on the Southern Living team since 2017. She helps run the brand's social media accounts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and TikTok, where she's happily behind the scenes. When she's not ruffling feathers with an etiquette poll via Instagram Stories, she's writing content for the website and assisting in various print projects like gift guides and home stories. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on May 31, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Stylist: Tina Stamos We know it's scorching outside, so stay hydrated while you lounge by the pool or entertain guests this summer. These summer drinks and cocktails made with fresh fruits like strawberry, watermelon, berries, cherries, and plums and homemade simple syrup will make you look like a trained mixologist. Our most refreshing summer drinks are perfect to make in batches and bring down to the beach (with plastic cups, not glass, and bring a trash bag) or stand as the signature cocktail at an outdoor summer party. These chilled drinks with short ingredient lists and easy instructions will keep summer nights cool after hot days in the sun. Tip: You can make these fresh drinks with or without alcohol, so the kids' table can have a fancy and fun drink, too. 01 of 50 Texas Ranch Water Photographer: Fred Hardy II, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Props Stylist: Christina Brockman The summer's hottest drink will keep you nice and cool. 02 of 50 Salty Dog Cocktail Caitlin Bensel Fruity but not sweet, this grapefruit drink is a must. 03 of 50 Hurricane Cocktail Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck Hillegas This strong cocktail was made for sipping. Our test kitchen professionals say don't have more than two. 04 of 50 Frozen Blueberry Lemonade Alison Miksch Part smoothie, part scoopable sweet, this frozen lemonade is a serious treat. We call for frozen blueberries because they create an extra-thick texture when blended, but you can use fresh if that's what you have from the farmers' market. 05 of 50 Frozen Margarita Antonis Achilleos This frozen classic is sure to cool you down on even the hottest summer day. 06 of 50 Sweet Tea Mule Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall This adult version of your favorite lemonade and sweet tea combination is a perfect summertime drink. 07 of 50 Watermelon Sangria Katie Jacobs Fresh watermelon juice, rosé, rosé Champagne, and St. Germain elderflower liquor all meet to make this sweet sangria. 08 of 50 Summer Cobbler Cocktail Helen Norman; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: Marian Cooper Cairns Tart lime juice and orange liqueur are balanced out by sweet, fresh blackberries. 09 of 50 Lemon Basil Spritzer Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Garnish with basil leaves and lemon peel twists for flair. 10 of 50 Peach Margarita Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Loren Wood; Prop Styling: Christine Keely A frozen margarita flavored with summer peaches makes for a nice sunset drink. 11 of 50 Pineapple-Coconut Fizz Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Whip fresh pineapple and then add rum and coconut-flavored seltzer to complete this fizz. 12 of 50 Frozen Raspberry Lemonade Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist:Christine Keely Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer Tangy and bright, raspberries are the perfect fruit to blend with the sweet-tart flavors of lemonade. 13 of 50 Garden Pleasures Cocktail Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn Mixologist Tiffanie Barriere developed the ultimate porch sipper for warm spring and summer days. 14 of 50 Spicy Watermelon Refresher Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Serrano peppers add a punch of spice, while tequila reposado adds a smoky flavor to this drink. 15 of 50 French 75 Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Gin, champagne, lemon juice, and simple syrup are all it takes to make this summer favorite. 16 of 50 Aperol and Blood Orange-Mint Spritz Peter Frank Edwards This tart drink has bold color thanks to the blood oranges. 17 of 50 Cucumber-Honeydew Cooler Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall This light and bright combination is a great way to get those fruits and veggies in on hot summer days. 18 of 50 Lavender-Plum Shrub Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Torie Cox A shrub is a drink that's usually made with vinegar, sugar and fruit — not that plant on the front lawn that your husband cuts down too short every time. These drinks need to sit for a few days so that the flavors combine, making the vinegar sweet. We used apple cider vinegar, fresh lavender, vanilla and red plums, even though any stone fruit would work. 19 of 50 Watermelon-Ginger Mojitos Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox Ginger beer adds a subtle spice to this refreshing drink. 20 of 50 Kentucky Oaks Lily Drink Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Cranberry juice, lime juice, and Triple Sec make this drink colorful, flavorful, and fun. 21 of 50 Key Lime Daiquiris Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Kay E. Clarke; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey Daiquiri lovers will adore this tropical twist of rum, citrus juice, and sweetener. 22 of 50 Strawberry and Peach Sangria Alison Miksch Mixing sparkling water with dry white wine and a bit of peach brandy turns this summer sangria into the drink of the summer. 23 of 50 Southern Sunrise Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Thom Driver; Food Stylist: Tina Stamos Adding grenadine to this orange juice and tequila mixture gives it the pop of bright red color. 24 of 50 Blackberry Bramble Pisco Sours Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Stylist: Tina Stamos This refreshing recipe is just another reason why we love summer blackberries. If you can't find pisco near you, use tequila or un-aged brandy. 25 of 50 Mojitarita Katie Jacobs Can't decide between a margarita or a mojito? Well, you don't have to with this twist. 26 of 50 Rum Swizzles Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Thom Driver; Food Stylist: Tina Stamos Often noted as Bermuda's national drink, this rum recipe has tropical vibes written all over it. 27 of 50 Basil Bourbon Orange Smash Becky Luigart Stayner In-season oranges are perfect for this smash that's rounded out with basil-flavored syrup. 28 of 50 Watermelon Frosé Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster Frosé is exactly what it sounds like, frozen rosé wine. Our recipe blends fresh watermelon into the mix for an adult version of a summer slushy. 29 of 50 Bee's Knees Honey Cocktail Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele Only three ingredients and a cocktail shaker are required for this Prohibition-era drink that's fit for a hip speakeasy. 30 of 50 Lucy Buffett's Bama Breeze Cocktail Courtesy of Lucy Buffett This drink features Lucy Buffett's favorite ingredients, and is named after her brother Jimmy's song. 31 of 50 Coconut Bourbon Spritz Southern Living Coconut simple syrup pairs perfectly with the smoky bourbon in this cocktail 32 of 50 Raspberry Beer Cocktail Charles Walton IV This beer cocktail is perfect if you want something that's refreshing but not too sweet (and it has vodka, too). 33 of 50 Honeysuckle-Watermelon Cocktails Chris M. Rogers; Styling: Lydia Degaris Pursell This batch cocktail makes for a refreshing gathering drink. 34 of 50 Vodka Cherry Limeade Photographer: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist:Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer This summer drink only requires one simple step: Stir. Once everything is all stirred together, all you have to do is add the final cherry on top, and enjoy. 35 of 50 Classic Transfusion Cocktail Fred Hardy; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke A proper Transfusion cocktail contains four ingredients: vodka, ginger ale, Concord grape juice, and lime juice. And while they are synonymous with the golf course, there's no reason you can't enjoy one on a hot afternoon on your porch. 36 of 50 Strawberry Spritzers Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Mary Clayton Carl This non-alcoholic drink is still full of flavor thanks to our homemade strawberry shrub. 37 of 50 Paloma Dotdash Meredith Master the art of the perfect paloma with our easy recipe. 38 of 50 Azalea Cocktail Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox Don't limit this cocktail to the Masters Tournament each year, it's a delightful drink to sip on all summer long. 39 of 50 Watermelon-Basil Sweet Tea Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster You could sip on plain and simple sweet tea, but we think a splash of watermelon flavor is a nice way to make the drink more exciting for the summer. 40 of 50 Strawberry Mojito Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Mary Clayton Carl The strawberry simple syrup in this cocktail lends a subtle berry flavor and bright red color to this classic drink without overwhelming the flavors of the rum or fresh mint. 41 of 50 Strawberry Ranch Water Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Mary Clayton Carl Ranch waters are a summer staple, but that doesn't mean you can't mix it up. We infuse the tequila with fresh strawberries for a pretty pink hue, and tart berry flavor. 42 of 50 Bourbon Slush Oxmoor House This is one of our most searched for cocktail recipes in the summer. Try it yourself and you'll understand why so many people want the recipe. 43 of 50 Shirley Temple Drink Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke You might think this drink is just for kids, but our recipe will delight adults as well (and you can always add a splash of your favorite spirit too). 44 of 50 Big-Batch Cajun Lemonade Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall You might read the ingredient list for this drink and do a double take, but don't worry you're reading it right. We add a splash of hot sauce to this spiked lemonade, and trust us, it works. 45 of 50 Hemingway Daiquiri Photography: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox This drink originates with the writer Ernest Hemingway who liked his daiquiris extra strong and sour. 46 of 50 Carolina Peach Sangria Jennifer Davick This big-batch cocktail is as pretty as it is refreshing, and comes together quickly with just a few ingredients. 47 of 50 Frozen Peach Old Fashioned This drink doesn't skimp on the peach flavor; it includes frozen peach slices, peach sorbet, and peach nectar. 48 of 50 Big-Batch Spiked Arnold Palmers The mix of tea and lemonade is a perfect match that could only be improved upon with a little bourbon. 49 of 50 Frozen Lemonade Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford Tart from the fresh lemon juice and sweet from the vanilla ice cream, this drink is exactly the kind of cold and refreshing thing you'll reach for on the hottest of summer days. 50 of 50 Pineapple-Sweet Tea Punch Johnny Autry; Prop and Food Styling: Charlotte L. Autry Swap your usual pitcher of iced tea with our Pineapple-Sweet Tea Punch this summer. Made with chilled black tea, this drink is sweetened with a pineapple simple syrup made from fresh pineapple juice and spiked with a splash of vodka. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit