Summer Mocktails and Cocktails To Beat The Heat
Summertime and sippin’ just go together like sand and the beach. When the weather heats up, a cool beverage is the perfect way to stay chill. Whether you are entertaining a crowd or just want to indulge in a little treat, these 5 super easy summer mocktails and cocktails are super refreshing. And, they highlight some of summer’s most popular, go-to ingredients. Just as important as what you put in your glass, is the glass itself. So, we also have some stellar glassware serving options too. Grab some ice and let’s get mixing! By the way…all of these recipes would be perfect for any 4th of July festivities too!
Looking for a good summer read to take in on a lazy day? Team Busbee shares our favorite page-turners, here.
1) Strawberry Lemon Basil Water
Staying hydrated in summer is key. This is a super refreshing mocktail you can sip on all day long. I know I’m more likely to drink water when it’s flavored…it just seems more like a treat.
- Slice 1/2 pint of strawberries, add ¼ cup of chopped basil, and quarter 1 lemon.
- Add to a pitcher and fill with still or sparkling water.
- Allow chilling for at least 3 hours before you serve.
This is one of those drinks you can keep in the fridge for a couple of days. Use a clear pitcher and clear glasses for serving!
2) Blackberry Champagne Mule
This recipe is courtesy of Tieghan Gerard from @HalfBakedHarvest. She has the most amazing recipes in all categories, but her drinks are next level! This specialty drink caught my eye and I had to try it. It’s REALLY good. You can vary the amount of alcohol to suit your taste or just omit it all together.
- Smash or muddle some blackberries with a squeeze of lime.
- Add a good splash of vodka, a bit of ginger beer, and then a final topper of champagne or prosecco.
- Add a mint garnish for a great final touch.
You could serve this in traditional copper or graphite Moscow mule mugs (which keeps your drink extra cold), stemless champagne flutes, or acrylic goblets for using outdoors.
3) Watermelon & Blueberry Tequila Spritzer
- Freeze blueberries on a sheet tray. These add flavor and color and keep your drink cool!
- Puree 2 cups of watermelon pieces in a blender and then drain through a fine-mesh strainer.
- Pour over ice, add tequila, lime juice, your frozen blueberries, and a splash of lemon-lime soda.
- Top off with mint or basil.
I own and love these bee glasses and use them for all kinds of beverages! You could serve this drink in a chic, sleek glass or a mason jar. If you want to turn this into a mocktail, just leave out the tequila and add some extra lemon-lime soda.
4) 4th of July Layered Mocktail
This recipe is one your kids will love, courtesy of ThisMamaLoves. The key to this mocktail is to add the ingredients very slowly (this is super important!), directly over the ice, layering with the highest sugar-concentrated beverage first and finishing with the least. This allows the layers of liquid to sit on top of each other without combining right away. Don’t stir!
- Fill your glass with ice (to the top!)
- Slowly add a layer of cranberry apple juice.
- Then add pina colada mix.
- Finish with a blue sports drink like Gatorade or Powerade.
You could serve this 4th of July beverage in clear acrylic mason jars or highball glasses.
5) Charlie’s White Sangria
Charlie (my dad!) makes a mean sangria.
- Fill 1/3 of a pitcher with finely chopped fruit. Truly any fruits work. But for a light, white sangria I like to use apples, peaches, mangos and raspberries.
- Next, add 1 bottle of white wine (Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Riseling, whatever you like) and a liter of lemon-lime soda. You can leave out the soda, or use less, for a more hardy sangria.
- Optional: (Charlie’s secret) add a topper of blood orange liquor like Solerno. It really amps up the citrus flavor.
This one serves a crowd! You could sip this out of acrylic stemless wine glasses or these swanky wine glasses. I also really love these Blue Rocco Old Fashioned glasses.
So, what’s your favorite, go-to, summer sipper? Put your feet up, take a load off, and cheers!
For more entertaining tips, check out this post on an easy summer tablescape for your next get-together, or this one on how to build a tasty charcuterie board.
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