7 Great Mixed Drink Recipes To Make This Summer

By Elana Goodwin on May 30, 2015

There’s nothing better than a nice cool drink in the summer. But why settle for a soda or beer when you can use these seven mixed drink recipes to add more fun to your summer?

Each of the mixed drink recipes below are pretty simple to make, and if you’re really into them, try making a different one each day.

Photo Credit: Big Stock Photo

1. Pina Colada.

3 oz. Pineapple Juice
1 oz. White Rum
1 oz. Coconut Cream 

This drink is supposed to be served in a hurricane glass, and should be blended with ice, for the ultimate Pina Colada. You can also add a pineapple garnish if you’re extra classy. Or you know, you could just pour your drink into a regular glass if you don’t want to get all fancy.

Also, it’s pretty much obligatory for you to sing Jimmy Buffett’s “If You Like Pina Coladas” while making this drink. Seriously — try not to.

2. Mai Tai.

1 1/3 oz. White Rum
2/3 oz. Dark Rum
1/3 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
1/2 oz. Orgeat Syrup
1/2 oz. Orange Curacao 

This drink is supposed to be served in a high ball glass and on the rocks (aka with ice cubes), and if you want it to look professional, you can add a pineapple garnish on the side of your glass.

Fun Fact: In Tahitian, “Mai Tai” translates to “The best—out of this world” which was what the first person to taste Trader Vic’s original version of the drink said when they tried it.

3. Sangria.

3 oz. Red Wine
3/4 oz. Cognac
1/2 oz. Fresh-Squeezed Orange Juice
1/2 oz. Fresh-Squeezed Lime Juice
1/2 oz. Fresh-Squeezed Lemon Juice
Top off with Lemon-Lime Soda

Personally, I love sangria. I had it for the first time on my 21st birthday and it’s just so yummy. It’s also the perfect drink for summer, especially if you want to add some pieces of fruit to it — like some orange slices and pieces of lemon and lime.

Once you’ve used the recipe to make the sangria, chill it in the fridge for a bit so it’s nice and cold. Then, pour yourself a nice big wine glass full, grab your sunglasses and a book, and go tan in your backyard.

Photo Credit: telegraph.co.uk

4. Mojito.

1 oz. Fresh-Squeezed Lime Juice
1 1/3 oz. White Rum
Top off with Club Soda
Add 6 leaves of mint, 2 tsp. Sugar

Mojitos are typically served in a collins glass and on the rocks, and with a lime garnish on the side of the glass. It’s a great summer drink (especially if you grow your own mint) as it’s got that minty freshness, the tartness of the lime, and is nice and cool (both to make and drink).

5. Sea Breeze

1 1/2 oz. Vodka
4 1/2 oz. Cranberry Juice
1 oz. Grapefruit Juice

A sea breeze cocktail is usually poured into a highball glass and served on the rocks, with a lime garnish. It’s the perfect drink for the summer as it’s light and refreshing and awesomely pink! If you’re headed to the beach, make this drink at home, pack it in a cooler, and sip it while relaxing on the sand — it doesn’t get any better than that!

6. Margarita

1 1/6 oz. Tequila
2/3 oz. Triple Sec
1/2 oz. Fresh-Squeezed Lime Juice

Margaritas are typically served in margarita glasses and on the rocks. And here’s a tip: rather than licking the salt from your hand, rub the rim of your glass with a wedge of lime so the salt will stick to it and sprinkle some on. Then add the lime slice as a garnish on the side of the glass.

As one of the most popular drinks of all time, the margarita is an especially great cocktail for summer, and you may choose to spend a week in Margaritaville before trying the other mixed drink recipes.

7. Sex on the Beach

1 1/3 oz. Vodka
1 1/3 oz. Cranberry Juice
2/3 oz. Peach Schnapps
1 1/3 oz. Orange Juice

Perhaps the most quintessential and provocative summer drink, a Sex on the Beach cocktail is usually poured into a highball glass and served on the rocks. It’s fruity and fun, both in drink and name. Once you’ve made the cocktail, you can also add an orange garnish on the side, so at least you’re having (a) classy Sex on the Beach.

So try out these seven great mixed drink recipes that are perfect for summer; no matter which one you make and drink, you can’t go wrong. Cheers! :)

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