The Best Summer Cocktail Collection
By Stella Violet
Summer is right around the corner, and after a long, strenuous winter, a cocktail is the perfect way to start your summer. And if you are anything like me and have no clue where to start, this list of the most Pinterest-worthy cocktails is guaranteed to spice up your summer. I also threw in a few mocktails for the girlies who want to party without the added hangover.
First, it is a classic, the ‘Dirty Shirley,’ and this drink tastes like nostalgia. We are older now and past our days of ordering a “Shirley Temple” on our parent’s dime. So, this is Shirley’s older sister with the same taste. Just add in a little vodka.
Ingredients:
½ oz grenadine syrup
1 ½ oz vodka
Lemon-lime soda
Cherry Garnish
For our next summer cocktail, I tried to find something outside my comfort zone: the ‘Kiwi Collins.’ I am personally a big fan of colorful drinks and think this is such a cutesy little drink to sip on during the summer. And kiwi season is almost over, making this a perfect drink to start the summer off with.
Ingredients:
1 kiwi
2 oz vodka
1 ½ oz lemon juice
½ oz sugar syrup
Club soda
A ‘Piña Colada’ is arguably my favorite summer drink to make. I was inspired by ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ when Belly made her version of a piña colada, and it just looked so good on screen. Overall, the presentation and taste make this drink an all-time favorite, a high honor from a typical rum “hater.”
Ingredients:
2 oz white rum
2 oz coconut cream
2 oz pineapple juice
Pineapple slice
Cherry garnish
The ‘Cherry Vodka Sour’ is perfect for those of you who live for Sour Patch Kids. I remember being twelve at the mall, asking my grandma for change so I could get those sour drops in the bathroom. So, for me, this drink reminds me of that feeling. Pro tip: if you’re looking for a more “tart” taste, add a bit more lemon juice.
Ingredients:
2 oz vodka
1 oz lemon juice
¾ oz simple syrup
½ oz grenadine
Arguably, the sweetest drink on this list is the ‘Strawberry Daiquiri,’ another staple summer cocktail. I’ve seen the presentation of this drink done in so many ways. However, my favorite is serving this in a traditional Daiquiri glass and garnishing with strawberries and cherries.
Ingredients:
1 ½ oz light rum
1 cup strawberries
1 oz simple syrup
¾ oz lime juice
Strawberry Garnish
Cherry Garnish
The ending of the Summer Cocktail collection is none other than ‘Sex on the Beach.’ She is the moment, and she will never go out of style. Don’t let the name scare you away from another drink that tastes like paradise in your mouth. And please drink this on or near a beach if you can. I mean, there is really no other way to do it.
Ingredients:
1.5 oz vodka
1 oz peach schnapps
1.5 oz cranberry juice
1.5 oz orange juice
Orange wedge for garnish
Cherry garnish
I’ve provided my top three summer mocktails for girls who want a non-alcoholic alternative. These drinks will be the star of your Instagram stories and taste almost identical to the real thing, minus the alcohol.
The first one is the non-alcoholic ‘Strawberry Mojito.’ Obviously, mojitos are a staple summer drink but trust me, the strawberry addition makes this the perfect mocktail.
Ingredients:
1 lime cut into wedges
20 fresh mint leaves
6 oz club soda
Crushed ice
Strawberry slices/garnish
The second mocktail is the ‘Paloma,’ which I now realize is the only tequila-themed cocktail on this list, and it’s designed as a mocktail. Grapefruit is such a summertime fruit, and for good reason. This mocktail could also be dressed up with a tajin rim if you’re into it, or, again, a little strawberry garnish.
Ingredients:
2 oz grapefruit juice
1 oz fresh lime juice
½ oz — 1 oz maple syrup
Sparkling water/Club soda
Ice
Sliced limes
Slice of grapefruit
Optional: Tajin rim
The last mocktail I found was the ‘Strawberry Daiquiri Spritz,’ which is a lighter non-alcoholic version of the regular ‘Strawberry Daiquiri.’ Honestly, this mocktail reminds me of a RedBull, in a good way.
Ingredients:
3 ½ oz cold lemonade
¾ cup chilled lemon-lime soda
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Sliced strawberries
Cut limes
Ice
50 mls SANS Junipre
Cheers to summer and I hope you try at least one of these cocktails or mocktails this summer. And, as always, drink responsibly, but remember to let loose, the sun is out and warm weather is thankfully approaching.
