Food and Recipes Drinks Cool and Refreshing Drink Recipes To Make All Summer Long By Southern Living Editors Southern Living Editors Since 1966, the editors of Southern Living have been carrying out the mission of the brand: to bring enjoyment, fulfillment, and inspiration to our readers by celebrating life in the South. We inspire creativity in their homes, their kitchens, their gardens, and their personal style. We are a friend they can trust, a guide to the seasons, a helping hand during the holidays, and a relentless champion of the Southern way of life. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on June 22, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: 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 a wide range of summer drink recipes in this roundup, from Peach Margaritas to Strawberry Piña Coladas to Lemonade Iced Tea and more, 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. 01 of 32 Watermelon Sangria 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. 02 of 32 Ranch Water Photographer: Fred Hardy II, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Props Stylist: Christina Brockman Recipe: Ranch Water Ranch Water is so simple to make we'd say it's practically impossible to mess up. However, the Topo Chico is a nonnegotiable. 03 of 32 Berry Patch Cocktail Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Styling: Christina Daley Recipe: Berry Patch Cocktail This brightly colored cocktail is not only pretty but is also refreshing and easy to pull together. 04 of 32 Blackberry Bramble Pisco Sours 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. 05 of 32 Peach Margaritas Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Loren Wood; Prop Styling: Christine Keely Recipe: Peach Margaritas This margarita recipe is here to prove that peaches aren't just for cobblers. 06 of 32 Cucumber-Mint Mojitos Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: Cucumber-Mint Mojitos Homemade simple syrup is the key to this refreshing drink. 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. 07 of 32 Sweet Tea Mint Julep Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen Recipe: Sweet Tea Mint Julep The tea will need to steep for about an hour, so make sure to complete that step in advance of when you want to make your juleps. 08 of 32 Salty Dog Cocktail Caitlin Bensel Recipe: Salty Dog Cocktail This refreshing recipe is a great option for those who prefer their cocktails to be on the tart side. 09 of 32 Vodka Cherry Limeade Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer Recipe: Vodka Cherry Limeade We consider this cocktail a stir-and-serve drink. 10 of 32 Pineapple-Sweet Tea Punch 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! 11 of 32 Grapefruit Margarita Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn Recipe: Grapefruit Margarita Give your classic margarita recipe the night off and give this grapefruit spin a try. 12 of 32 Strawberry Piña Coladas Photographer and props: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Strawberry Piña Coladas This sweet treat can be served with or without the alcohol. 13 of 32 Strawberry-Basil Sweet Tea 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! 14 of 32 Sparkling Cherry Limeade Iain Bagwell; Prop Styling: Annette Joseph; Food Styling: Cynthia Groseclose Recipe: Sparkling Cherry Limeade This limeade recipe makes enough to serve 8. While the recipe is non-alcoholic as is, you can add tequila if desired. 15 of 32 Strawberry Margarita Spritzers 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. 16 of 32 Bourbon-Peach Iced Tea 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. 17 of 32 Berry Splash 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. 18 of 32 Raspberry Beer Cocktail 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. 19 of 32 Paloma Getty Images/bhofack2 Recipe: Paloma If you're looking for sweet, sour, and fruity all in one glass, a Paloma is the cocktail for you. 20 of 32 Frozen Lemonade 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. 21 of 32 Ginger-and-Honey Sweet Tea Jennifer Davick Recipe: Ginger-and-Honey Sweet Tea Ginger and honey add a sweet zing to this classic brew of tea. 22 of 32 Lemonade Iced Tea 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. 23 of 32 Carolina Peach Sangria 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. 24 of 32 Pineapple-Basil Tea 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. 25 of 32 Spiced Tea Bourbon Refresher 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. 26 of 32 Blueberry-Lemon Iced Tea 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. 27 of 32 Mint Julep Sweet Tea 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. 28 of 32 Classic Transfusion Cocktail 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. 29 of 32 Strawberry Fields Cocktail 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. 30 of 32 French 75 Cocktail Southern Living Recipe: French 75 Cocktail If you can, we suggest making your French 75 with Hendrick's gin for the cucumber infusion. 31 of 32 Bee's Knee's Honey Cocktail 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. 32 of 32 Watermelon-Mint Margaritas Southern Living Recipe: Watermelon-Mint Margaritas Use leftover watermelon to make this slushy summer drink. Garnish with fresh mint leaves. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit