![Two people toasting each other with glasses of Aperol spritz, garnished with orange slices.](https://leitesculinaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/refreshing-summer-drinks-cocktails.jpg)
![Raspberry vodka lime soda in a pitcher with a large spoon, beside two full glasses, one empty glass, and and a dish of raspberries.](https://leitesculinaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/raspberry-vodka-lime-soda.jpg)
Raspberry Vodka and Lime Soda
![A frozen gin fizz in a martini glass with an orange stir stick and a little piece of lemon on the rim.](https://leitesculinaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/frozen-gin-fizz.jpg)
Frozen Gin Fizz
I first made these a summer or two ago, and now they’re one of my go-to pool drinks – especially since my beloved surprised me with a pellet ice maker last year! It makes the slushie part even easier.
Leah
![Three glasses of sweet tea cocktail on a wooden table.](https://leitesculinaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/sweet-tea-cocktail.jpg)
Sweet Tea Cocktail
![A highball filled with a long margarita, ice, a lime wedge, and a dish of chili salt for rimming on the side](https://leitesculinaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/long-margarita.jpg)
Long Margarita
![A glass bottle filled with homemade lemonade syrup, a bowl of lemons, and two glasses on a wooden table.](https://leitesculinaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/homemade-lemonade-1200.jpg)
Homemade Lemonade
A few ice cubes, a couple of mint leaves, some added water, and I was enjoying a wonderfully refreshing summer drink. I love that I can store this elixir in a smallish container in my refrigerator and then expand it to satisfy many thirsty people.
It is sweet. It is tart. It is refreshing. I can never drink store-bought lemonade again.
Nadine B.
![A wine glass filled with frozen Long Island iced tea, garnished with an orange slice on an umbrella.](https://leitesculinaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/frozen-long-island-iced-tea.jpg)
Frozen Long Island Iced Tea
![2 hands, each holding a wine glass 3 quarters full of a bubbly orange cocktail with ice and an orange slice.](https://leitesculinaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/aperol-spritz-1.jpg)
Aperol Spritz
![A southside cocktail on a napkin on a silver tray with a potato chip and sprig of mint beside it.](https://leitesculinaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/southside-cocktail-recpe-vi.jpg)
Southside Cocktail
I may have found my new summer drink! This Southside cocktail is absolutely delicious and not too potent, which made me want to add a splash more gin. Very refreshing and perfect for when the hot weather sets in.
Beth F.
![Two glasses of peach iced tea with mint leaves and peach slices for garnish.](https://leitesculinaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/peach-iced-tea-with-mint.jpg)
Peach Iced Tea with Mint
![A metal serving tray with two apricot daiquiris with stir sticks, a juiced lemon, and a pot with poached apricots.](https://leitesculinaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/apricot-daiquiri.jpg)
Apricot Daiquiri
![Two tall glasses filled with Greek-style frappe, with colorful straws standing up in them.](https://leitesculinaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/greek-style-frappe.jpg)
Greek-Style Frappe
This frappé recipe changed the way I drink coffee forever. Tastes even more amazing than it sounds.
Claudia
![A tall plastic cup filled with frosé or frozen rosé on a wooden table.](https://leitesculinaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/frozen-rose.jpg)
Frosé ~ Frozen Rosé
![Two glasses of lime soda and one glass of angostura orange.](https://leitesculinaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/lime-soda-1200.jpg)
Lime Soda
Summer Drinks FAQs
Definitely. For drinks that aren’t frozen, stir together everything except any carbonated mix-ins and store it in a pitcher in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. Add in anything fizzy just before serving.
For frozen summer cocktails, whip up the drink as indicated in the recipe, skipping any fizzy additions. Freeze in individual portions and serve straight from the freezer. If it requires soda or bubbly to be added to it, let it thaw slightly and mix in the fizzy part before serving.
Ah, the eternal question. There are several ways to keep your drinks ice cold without adding ice. Try tossing in frozen fruit in place of ice cubes, using reusable ice cubes, or freezing part of the drink in ice cube trays. As it melts, it won’t dilute your beverage.
To keep everything cold, be sure to chill your ingredients before conjuring up a drink. You can also chill your glassware before adding drinks to it or serve your cocktails in insulated glasses or tumblers.
If you’ve got drinks in larger containers or pitchers, nestle them inside an ice bucket.