5 Simple Summer Cocktails to Stay Cool All Summer Long

Have you been craving more cocktails this year? PROBABLY. On top of everything else going on, the dog days of summer typically bring exorbitant amounts of heat. And while you can battle Mr. Sun by drawing all the curtains and sitting in an icebox, I’ve got a better solution: summer cocktails. Even better, these are simple summer cocktails, so they’re super easy to knock out. Like, we’re talkin’ four ingredients or fewer in all of them, plus ice if you so desire.

Whether you’re a gin, vodka, wine, tequila, or fruit fan (or all five, you charming jack-of-all-trades), I’ve got you covered. These recipes are each for one serving, but feel free to scale as needed.

For example, I made both of the first two entries for a party last year and used an entire bottle of gin and several cans of ginger beer. A group of mules is apparently called a “barren,” so there you go. Either “one London mule coming up, or a barren of mules headed your way.” Amazing. Here we go!

London Mule

3 oz. ginger beer

2 oz. gin

1 tbsp. lime juice

¼ tsp. Angostura bitters (optional)

Moscow Mules are probably the more common “mule” drinks, but I’ve always enjoyed London Mules a bit more. Perhaps it’s because I’ve been to London and loved it, while I’ve never visited Moscow. Or perhaps I just like gin better than vodka. Whatever the case, the London Mule is refreshing while also providing a bit of a kick. For bonus points, you can use gin that you actually purchase from London. May I recommend the offerings (or even your own creation) from The Distillery on Portobello Road in London?  

John Daly

5 oz. sweet tea

5 oz. lemonade

2 oz. vodka

Also known as an Arnold Palmer with vodka, a John Daly is perfect on the golf course or while lounging on your couch. For bonus points, feel free to add an umbrella or a golf tee as a stirrer. I would also suggest ice to keep things extra cool. Trust me, this still counts among simple cocktails even if you have to also add ice. And I cannot stress this enough: this drink is SO much better with sweet tea. Some people like their iced tea unsweetened; I’m not sure those folks can really be trusted. Stay sweet and you won’t be beat. #rhymes

Brisk Sparkle

One can of Mighty Swell Spiked Spritzer

4 oz. Brisk iced tea

The folks over at Mighty Swell have some incredibly tasty spiked spritzers. At 5% ABV and with just 120 calories and 4 grams of sugar per serving, you can enjoy flavors like Watermelon Mint or Cherry Lime without feeling heavy afterward. After all, summer cocktails should be light and refreshing! I like to add a bit of Brisk iced tea to mine. That combo of lemon tea and summer fruit is TOP NOTCH. For true style points, feel free to add a piece of fruit that matches the flavor of your spritzer. Something charming about drinking a peach drink with a slice of peach appended to the glass.

Mionetto Wine Spritz

9 oz. prosecco

3 oz. club soda

1 lime wedge

6 oz. Aperol (optional, though it’s included in the photo above)

I’m usually not a fan of white wine, but something about prosecco is just superb. I recently gave Mionetto Valdobbiadene Prosecco a try and HOLY MOLY is this a crisply wonderful wine. It’s totally cool to drink on its own, but you can spritz up your prosecco with a little club soda. A lot of people like to add Aperol to the mix, though this one is better without it, in my opinion. Try to keep a 3-to-1 ratio of prosecco to club soda, and then give a squeeze of lime to top it all off. Then kiss your fingers with your lips and gesture to the sky because you just created a masterpiece.

Watermelon Margarita

One of my top summertime traditions is buying a giant watermelon and then eating about 1/4 of it. No matter the size of your watermelon, it always feels like there’s so much more to go. This watermelon margarita is a great, tasty way to use up that excess watermelon. Plus, I don’t know about you, but red drinks always make me feel extra fancy. It must be all that POWER you’re holding in your hand.

4 oz. fresh watermelon juice (puree watermelon chunks in an immersion blender)

2 oz. tequila blanco

1 oz. lime juice

1/2 oz. simple syrup (optional)

Salt and lime to garnish

Did I miss one of your favorite summer cocktails? Let me know in the comments!

View other Recipes here. And for other kitchen appliances and essentials, check out this article from Redfin (I’m in it!).