Make Delicious Summer Cocktails & Mocktails!

(Image via SheKnows)

On a hot summer day, there’s nothing quite like a refreshing, cool, drink to help you beat the summer heat. Today, we’re featuring summer cocktails perfect for the summer heat. In fact, we’ve made sure to only feature drinks with ingredients that are in season, so you don’t have to go chasing down hard-to-find ingredients. And, all the recipes we’ve selected are also easy to make and easy on the wallet. Check out a few our favorite summer cocktails below!

(p.s. Prefer not to drink alcohol? Try the summer cocktails below without adding any liqueur. These recipes all work great as mocktail (alcohol-free) options! Plus, as a mocktail, you’ll have a summery concoction the entire family can enjoy.)

HAPARI’s Favorite Summer Cocktails

Blueberry Smash

(Image via Bon Appetit)

This recipe comes from one of our favorite cooking and foodie sites, Bon Appetit! The Blueberry Smash cocktail features a refreshing burst of flavors, perfect for a summer evening. Ingredients like lime add a surprising sour punch to the drink!

Ingredients

• 2 lemons, sliced into rounds
• 2 limes, sliced into rounds
• 1 cup fresh blueberries
• 1/2 cup (loosely packed) fresh mint leaves plus sprigs for garnish
• 1 1/2 cups vodka
• 3/4 cup St-Germain (elderflower liqueur)

Directions

Coarsely mash lemon and lime slices, blueberries, and mint leaves in a large pitcher. Stir in vodka, St-Germain, and 2 cups of ice cubes. Divide drink among glasses; top with more ice cubes. Garnish each drink with a mint sprig. Makes 6-8 drinks.

Arizona Sunset

(Image via Rezupte Suchen)

Using the Arizona sun and desert landscape as inspiration, the Arizona Sunset Cocktail is as tasty as it is pretty. It’s ombre colors really add a picture-perfect aspect to this yummy drink. Key ingredients featured include: pineapple, orange juice and sprite!

Ingredients

• 2 cups lemon soda (Sprite, 7-up, ginger ale, any will do)
• 8 cups orange juice
• 1 ½ cups grenadine
• 1 ½ cups white tequila
• ½ cup chopped pineapple, cherries, and/or limes.

Directions

Carefully measure out 2 parts lemon/lime soda to 4 parts orange juice. Mix thoroughly. Add 1½  cups of grenadine to mixture. Leave as is if you’re making an alcohol-free drink. If you’d like to make the drink into a traditional cocktail, add 1 ½ cups of white tequila. Garnish with pineapple, cherries and/or limes. Makes 6-8 servings.

Ginger Orange Cocktail

This popular drink is a twist on mimosas. Instead of involving champagne and juice, the Ginger Orange Cocktail mixes vodka, mint, and ginger to create a mojito-inspired concoction. Give this one a try! The recipe also works great for brunches and early afternoon events.

Ingredients

• 1 (89-oz.) container orange juice
• 1 (2-liter) bottle ginger ale
• 1 (46-oz.) can pineapple juice
• 8 cups vodka
• Mint leaves

Directions

Add all ingredients into a large pitcher. Stir and mix thoroughly. Optional: add mint leaves to drink. Makes 8-10 servings.

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