21 Summer Cocktails to Help You Cool Off

When watermelon is in abundance, this is a great way to use it. Bobby Flay purees seedless watermelon chunks, then strains the juice through a sieve and mixes it with silver tequila, sugar syrup, blueberries, mint and fresh lime juice.

This light and refreshing cocktail is as reminiscent of the American South as it is of the South of France.

The Collins was most likely named after 19th-century bartender John Collins of London’s Limmer’s Hotel. The Tom Collins was originally made with Old Tom, a sweet style of gin that’s extremely hard to find today.

Strawberries sweeten these mojitos from mixologist Joaquin Simo.

This super-easy Bourbon-based punch only has five ingredients.

"I love this drink so much that it seems like my glass is always empty," says Lacy Hawkins. Her favorite part is the balsamic vinegar. "It adds wonderful acidity to the drink and creates a caramelized finish.”

Gabriel Frasca makes his own bourbon ice cream and cherry syrup for this clever riff on a Manhattan. For his super quick version, he blends vanilla ice cream with bourbon and uses a high-quality black cherry soda like Stewart’s or IBC.

The Spanish drink sangria draws its name from the blood-red color of its traditional red wine base. This stripped-down version gets its rich golden hue—and zingy flavors—from white wine, fresh-squeezed orange juice and a kick of brandy.

The only thing more refreshing than a margarita is one made with cucumbers. The cucumber-infused tequila also makes a great punch.

In this refreshing cocktail, Prosecco adds a lively spritz to a light, watermelon-forward margarita. If you happen to have a juicer on hand, you can certainly use it here.

A classic combination of gin, lemon, and club soda gets a refreshing twist with cucumber, basil, and cardamom-infused syrup. Dried rose petals add a subtle floral flavor and act as a beautiful garnish.

Leopold’s Summer Gin brings a smooth, floral flavor to this botanical cocktail with notes of cucumber, sage, lemon, and lavender.

Smoky mezcal and savory bitters are rounded out by sweet-tart lemon juice and tamarind puree in this punchy cocktail.

A swizzle stick is the key to a cold, well-mixed, frothy drink, but if you don’t have one on hand, you can use a long bar spoon to mix.

A bold, strong cocktail with both high-proof bourbon and light rum gets a hit of floral sweetness from mellow crème de banane.

This pitcher drink pairs hydrating watermelon with the delicate fennel-and-herb flavor of Peychaud's bitters.

Fresh raspberries and the tangy punch of hibiscus tea make this rosy-red sangria bright and tart.

Grapefruit brings out the delicate floral flavors of Peruvian pisco, an unaged grape brandy, in this frosty blended drink.

The best strawberry daiquiri is bright and full-flavored but never too sweet, balancing juicy berries and tart lime.

For a perfect texture that never gets icy or watery, Gail Simmons freezes the cucumbers before blending.

This lovely, light spritz includes fresh grapefruit juice, fresh lemon juice, grapefruit liquor, and blanco tequila, plus plenty of bubbles.