Cool, Refreshing Summer Drinks

June 01, 2010
Credit: Hector Sanchez
Fruit-filled, kid-friendly punches and adult-pleasing cocktails are perfect treats on hot days.
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Sparkling Elderflower Lemonade

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Sparkling Elderflower Lemonade

Elderflower liqueur is sweet, delicate, and floral, like nectar from a spring bouquet.

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Blackberry Pisco Sours

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Blackberry 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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Lemon-Mint Sparklers

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Lemon-Mint Sparklers

Make the Lemon-Mint Syrup a week ahead, and keep cold. Chill the club soda, too, but mix the drink just before serving to keep it nice and fizzy. Use leftover syrup to make boozy Lemon-Mint-Bourbon Sparklers for the grown-ups in your crowd, and set up a self-serve beverage station with fresh lemon and mint leaves.

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Frozen Peach Old Fashioned

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Frozen Peach Old Fashioned

Served ice cold, these refreshing cocktails keep your guests cool.

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Strawberry Margarita Spritzers

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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Cava Sangria

Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Cava Sangria

For a light and quick poolside drink, Cava Sangria is the way to go. Refreshing and fruity, this 5-ingredient sangria has the perfect combination of flavors from the strawberries and mint leaves. After the first sip, you’ll feel like you’re on vacation.

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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 Berry Ice Cubes.

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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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Marian’s Iced Tea

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Marian’s Iced Tea

No summertime meal in the South is complete without good ole iced tea. Glass carafes and lemon slices make an elegant presentation of this classic.

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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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Blackberry Cocktail

Credit: Photo: Jim Franco

Recipe: Blackberry Cocktail

Atlanta Chef Anne Quatrano’s recipe releases the flavors of summer’s fresh mint, blackberries, and cucumber into this drink. Pour the cocktail into glasses garnished with cucumber, blackberries, lime wedges, and mint sprigs.

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Cantaloupe Cooler

Credit: Photo: Van Chaplin

Recipe: Cantaloupe Cooler

Juicy summer melon is even more refreshing when blended with ginger ale, limeade, and a hint of fresh ginger. Substitute watermelon or honeydew if you like.

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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

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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Homemade Orange Soda

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Homemade Orange Soda

This simple mixture of orange juice and lemon-lime soft drink offers the refreshing bubbles from the carbonated soda with the tang of citrus juice.

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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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Pink Lemonade Cocktail

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Pink Lemonade Cocktail

Serve this adult version of kid-favorite pink lemonade in wine glasses. Garnish with fresh cranberries and citrus slices.

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Peach Iced Tea

Recipe: Peach Iced 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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Frozen Cranberry Margaritos

Credit: Photo: Charles Walton IV

Recipe: Frozen Cranberry Margaritos

A mojito traditionally uses rum; here we use tequila instead, hence the fun title. Dip rims of glasses in lime juice and a mixture of equal parts kosher salt and sugar for a twist on salt-rimmed glasses.

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Classic Sweet Tea

Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Classic Sweet Tea

We love this recipe because it's got strong tea flavor without being bitter, and it's sweet but not cloying.

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Cool Lavender Lemonade

Recipe: Cool Lavender Lemonade

Lavender and mint add a fresh herb flair to classic lemonade. This recipe is perfect for lemonade stands and backyard parties alike.

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Southern Sweet Tea

Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Southern Sweet Tea

Only Southerners understand just how sweet tea should be. Add the full cup of sugar to this recipe if you like yours extra sweet.

Watch Video: Simply Southern Sweet Tea

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Sweet Tea Spritzer

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Sweet Tea Spritzer

If iced tea is the house wine of the South, consider this our summer sangria.

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Grapefruit Tequila Fizz

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Grapefruit Tequila 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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