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  4. Cool, Refreshing Summer Drinks

Cool, Refreshing Summer Drinks

Southern Living May 2021 Cover
By Southern Living Editors Updated July 27, 2021
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Bourbon-Peach Iced Tea
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Kay E. Clarke; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin

Fruit-filled, kid-friendly punches and adult-pleasing cocktails are ideal treats for hot days. Of course, staying hydrated in the summer takes precedence but sometimes a Frozen Lemonade or a glass of Peach Sweet Tea just hit the spot. There's just nothing like kicking back in a lawn chair, or on the porch swing, with a cool, refreshing summer drink in hand. We've included every recipe in this roundup from an Apple-Spiced Iced Tea to a Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail, so there's a drink to match every flavor moment you may be craving this summer. With kid-friendly lemonades and punches, there's a drink option for everyone. Worry less this summer about finding that go-to sipper because we've got you covered with these refreshing summer drinks.

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Watermelon Sangria

Watermelon Sangria
Credit: Katie Jacobs

Recipe: Watermelon Sangria

This festive pink drink has a crisp finish from fresh mint and lime garnishes. It's made for summer sipping by the pool.

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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

Pisco is a South American grape brandy popular in Peru and Chile. If you can't find it in your area, feel free to substitute white tequila, grappa, or vodka. Don't be alarmed by the strength of this new classic; it's a cocktail that's meant to be sipped and savored.

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Apple-Spiced Iced Tea

Apple-Spiced Iced Tea
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

Recipe: Apple-Spiced Iced Tea

Looking for the flavors of fall, but don't necessarily want the warmth that comes with them? This Apple-Spiced Iced Tea has all the comforting flavors of cinnamon, vanilla, and apple, without the piping hot temperate attached.

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Cantaloupe-Mint Agua Fresca

Cantaloupe-Mint Agua Fresca
Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Cantaloupe-Mint Agua Fresca

The key to this refreshing drink is the homemade simple syrup. Every good bartender should know how to make it, and once you've mastered the recipe you'll never buy simple syrup from the store again.  

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Strawberry Margarita Spritzers

Beer 'Garitas
Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Strawberry Margarita Spritzers

Club soda, fresh whole strawberries, and frozen daiquiri mix set these margarita spritzers apart. Serve on sultry summer days and enjoy the fizzy sweetness of these colorful cocktails.

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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

This tea is sure to add a little pep in your step.

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Berry Splash

Berry Splash
Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Berry Splash

Mix up a colorful drink for the whole family with cherry drink mix and white cranberry juice. Serve Berry Splash with blueberry-filled ice cubes.

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Raspberry Beer Cocktail

Raspberry Beer Cocktail
Credit: Charles Walton IV

Recipe: Raspberry Beer Cocktail

Guests will love the raspberries that sit atop this festive beverage. Garnish the mixture of beer, raspberry lemonade, and vodka with lemon and lime slices.

Watch: Raspberry Beer Cocktail

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Frozen Lemonade

Frozen Lemonade
Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

Recipe: Frozen Lemonade

Craving a Chick-fil-A frozen lemonade on a Sunday? Don't worry, we think this recipe comes darn pretty close. 

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Southern Breeze

Southern Breeze
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Southern Breeze

This kid-friendly punch makes a special treat out of lemonade mix by mixing it with the tropical flavor of pineapple juice and the bubbly carbonation in ginger ale. Serve with paper cocktail umbrellas for a fun entertaining touch.

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Ginger-and-Honey Sweet Tea

Ginger-and-Honey Sweet Tea
Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Ginger-and-Honey Sweet Tea

Ginger and honey add a sweet zing to this classic brew of tea.

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Strawberry-Basil Sweet Tea

Strawberry-Basil Sweet Tea
Credit: Johnny Autry; Food and Prop Styling: Charlotte L. Autry

Recipe: Strawberry-Basil Sweet Tea

Now this is a fun seasonal drink, if we've ever heard of one. It gives traditional sweet tea a run for its money!

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Lemonade Iced Tea

Lemonade Iced Tea
Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Lemonade Iced Tea

Lemonade and fresh mint leaves provide a flavorful fruit twist to this classic summer drink. One reader suggested adding a tablespoon of orange-flavored vodka to a glass of the drink to add a grown-up kick.

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Carolina Peach Sangria

Southern Sangria Recipes
Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Carolina Peach Sangria

Add fresh summer peaches and raspberries to this Southern version of the classic wine punch. Make the sangria the day before to allow the flavors to blend.

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Pineapple-Sweet Tea Punch

Pineapple-Sweet Tea Punch
Credit: Johnny Autry; Prop and Food Styling: Charlotte L. Autry

Recipe: Pineapple-Sweet Tea Punch

This punch will make you feel like you're relaxing on a tropical island. Refreshing and easy-to-make!

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Watermelon-Mint Margaritas

Punch and Cocktail Summer Drink Recipes: Watermelon-Mint Margaritas
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Watermelon-Mint Margaritas

Use leftover watermelon to make this slushy summer drink. Garnish with fresh mint leaves.

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Pineapple-Basil Tea

Pineapple-Basil Tea
Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Pineapple-Basil Tea

Use up the leftover basil in your garden in this refreshing, fruity tea. You may even convert the kids to tea enthusiasts with this recipe.

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Peach Sweet Tea

Punch and Cocktail Summer Drink Recipes: Peach Iced Tea

Recipe: Peach Sweet Tea

You can't go wrong with the combination of two Southern summertime favorites—sweet tea and peaches. It's the perfect accompaniment to a lunch or afternoon snack.

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Spiced Tea Bourbon Refresher

Spiced Tea Bourbon Refresher
Credit: Becky Luigart Stayner

Recipe: Spiced Tea Bourbon Refresher

Think of this drink as the extra spunky Arnold Palmer. Homemade honey-infused simple syrup and orange wedges make a totally Southern and delicious cocktail.

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Blueberry-Lemon Iced Tea

Fresh Blueberry Recipes: Blueberry-Lemon Iced Tea
Credit: Photo: Van Chaplin

Recipe: Blueberry-Lemon Iced Tea

The sweet, crisp taste of lemonade and blueberries meet the bold, strong taste of iced tea. If you need us, we'll be somewhere sitting on a porch swing with a glass of this tea in our hand.

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Mint Julep Sweet Tea

Mint Julep Sweet Tea
Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lydia DeGaris Pursell

Recipe: Mint Julep Sweet Tea  

You'll be off to the races after taking a sip of this fun mashup drink. Two Southern classics come together for a pairing that just makes sense.

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Classic Transfusion Cocktail

Transfusion Cocktail
Credit: Getty Images/JB325

Recipe: Classic Transfusion Cocktail

Even if you're not an avid golfer, this is a drink recipe that you should have in your cocktail book.

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Strawberry Fields Cocktail

Strawberry Fields Cocktail
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Recipe: Strawberry Fields Cocktail

This cocktail is dangerously refreshing. You could even leave out the gin for a kid-friendly sipper.

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Bourbon Pink Grapefruit Fizz

Bourbon Pink Grapefruit Fizz
Credit: Becky Luigart Stayner

Recipe: Bourbon Pink Grapefruit Fizz

You'll want to make a whole batch of this citrusy spritzer. It's perfect for outdoor gatherings and kicking back on the porch.

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Papaya-Strawberry Cocktail

Papaya-Strawberry Cocktail
Credit: Wynn Myers; Prop Styling: Lauren Smith Ford

Recipe: Papaya-Strawberry Cocktail

If you like tequila-based cocktails, then you'll love this berry-sweet cocktail. Serve with chips, guac, and salsa for the ideal backyard happy hour.

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Honeysuckle Lemonade Cocktail

Walden Bar Honeysuckle Lemonade Cocktail
Credit: Walden

Recipe: Honeysuckle Lemonade Cocktail  

We're thinking this cocktail should be on your next party menu. The recipe can easily be multiplied for a crowd.

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Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail

Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail

We're falling hard for this 3-ingredient, crisp, and bubbly cocktail. Plus, who doesn't love a reason to pop open a bottle of champagne?

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Bee's Knee's Honey Cocktail

bees knees honey cocktail
Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele

Recipe: Bee's Knee's Honey Cocktail

This recipe dates back to prohibition era, and we like what they were thinking. This summery cocktail will make you the star hostess of your next garden party.

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White Wine Sangria

White Wine Sangria
Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Recipe: White Wine Sangria

The key to this summer concoction is remembering that the longer it sits, the better it gets. Add in Southern peaches from your local farmers market and other in-season fruit for an irresistible summer refresher.

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Frosé (Frozen Rosé)

Frosé (Frozen Rosé) Is the Hottest Drink of Summer
Credit: RealSimple.com

Recipe: Frosé (Frozen Rosé)

This is the best drink for a girls'-night pool party. Pair it with the charcuterie board of your dreams, and soak up the summer sun.

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    Everything in This Slideshow

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    1 of 30 Watermelon Sangria
    2 of 30 Blackberry Bramble Pisco Sours
    3 of 30 Apple-Spiced Iced Tea
    4 of 30 Cantaloupe-Mint Agua Fresca
    5 of 30 Strawberry Margarita Spritzers
    6 of 30 Bourbon-Peach Iced Tea
    7 of 30 Berry Splash
    8 of 30 Raspberry Beer Cocktail
    9 of 30 Frozen Lemonade
    10 of 30 Southern Breeze
    11 of 30 Ginger-and-Honey Sweet Tea
    12 of 30 Strawberry-Basil Sweet Tea
    13 of 30 Lemonade Iced Tea
    14 of 30 Carolina Peach Sangria
    15 of 30 Pineapple-Sweet Tea Punch
    16 of 30 Watermelon-Mint Margaritas
    17 of 30 Pineapple-Basil Tea
    18 of 30 Peach Sweet Tea
    19 of 30 Spiced Tea Bourbon Refresher
    20 of 30 Blueberry-Lemon Iced Tea
    21 of 30 Mint Julep Sweet Tea
    22 of 30 Classic Transfusion Cocktail
    23 of 30 Strawberry Fields Cocktail
    24 of 30 Bourbon Pink Grapefruit Fizz
    25 of 30 Papaya-Strawberry Cocktail
    26 of 30 Honeysuckle Lemonade Cocktail
    27 of 30 Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail
    28 of 30 Bee's Knee's Honey Cocktail
    29 of 30 White Wine Sangria
    30 of 30 Frosé (Frozen Rosé)

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