Nothing tastes better than a cold drink on a hot summer day. Because coolers pair perfectly with summer picnic happy hours, we’ve compiled a list of our summertime favorites. Feel free to leave out the alcohol and make it a mocktail or add in whatever special ingredients you’d like to make it your own.
Watermelon Mojito
We can envision it now: huge slices of watermelon, sticky fingers, and ants crawling on a white and red checkered picnic blanket. This is the adult version of that nostalgic childhood memory.
What you'll need:
- 30 large fresh mint leaves
- 3 to 4 thick slices fresh watermelon
- 12 ounces light rum
- 6 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice (about 3 limes)
Purée watermelon slices using a food processor. Mash the mint leaves in a pitcher. When mint is fully mashed, add 2 cups of puréed watermelon, rum, lime juice, and lots of ice, and stir to combine. Or make it a mocktail by simply leaving out the rum.
Aperol Spritz
A refreshing, crisp, Italian favorite, this one will have you reliving memories of margarita pizza and pesto pasta on the canals of Venice. Or it will at least have you craving a bowl of pasta.
What you’ll need:
- 3 ounces Aperol (1 part)
- 3 ounces dry Prosecco (1 part)
- 1 ounce (a splash) club soda
- orange slice for garnish
- lots of ice
Add ice to a wine glass until it is nearly full. Pour in the Aperol - eyeballing about a third of a glass should be fine). Pour in an equal amount of Prosecco. Top your drink off with a splash of club soda and add a slice of orange. Enjoy!
Guava Margarita
Equal parts tangy and sweet, a guava margarita is the perfect twist on the classic marg we all know and love. Grab your friends because this recipe makes 8 servings!
What you’ll need:
- 1 and 3/4 cups freshly squeezed lime juice, plus wedges for serving
- 2 and 3/4 cups Don Julio Anejo tequila
- 1 1/3 cups Grand Marnier
- 2 3/4 cups guava puree (buy fresh guava and puree, or buy pre-pureed)
Stir together lime juice, tequila, Grand Marnier, and guava puree in a large pitcher; stir to combine. Refrigerate until chilled.
Just before serving, rub a cut lime around the rim of each glass. Fill a saucer with salt, and dip each glass, upside down, into the salt. Pour margaritas into glasses, garnish with lime wedges, and serve immediately.
Mango Moscow Mule
If you like a moscow mule, you’ll love a mango mule. Sweet from the mango and tangy from the ginger beer, this drink is sure to be a hit.
What you’ll need:
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1 ½ ounces fresh-squeezed lime juice
- 1 ½ ounces mango juice
- ginger beer
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine vodka, mango juice and lime juice. Shake combined and chilled. Strain into a mule mug filled with ice. Top with ginger beer. Garnish with a lime wheel and a mango slice.
Peach Sangria
The beauty of sangria is you can basically throw any fruit and wine combination and it will taste delicious. Okay, maybe not every combination, but pretty dang close! This is a lighter white wine take on the classic red wine sangria.
What you'll need:
- 1 750 ml bottle of crisp white wine (a Pinot Grigio works great)
- 2 1/2 cups peach nectar or concentrate
- 2 cups club soda
- 1/4 cup brandy
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (or opt for agave / no sugar if you prefer it less sweet)
- 1/4 cup water
- 2-3 peaches sliced
- 3-4 strawberries sliced
- any other citrus fruits you have laying around
Refrigerate Pinot Grigio, peach nectar, club soda and fruits the day before.
In a large pitcher, combine Pinot Grigio, peach nectar, club soda, and brandy. Mix well. In a small glass combine 1/4 cup sugar and 1/4 cup hot water to make syrup. Add syrup to pitcher. Slice fruits and add to pitcher. Serve and enjoy!
Frosé
A summertime favorite for any Rosé-loving person, with a sweet and fruity kick. This one is easy, delicious, and perfect for a hot summer day!
What you'll need:
- 1 750 ml bottle of Rosé
- 2 cups frozen strawberries
- 2 cups frozen watermelon
- 3 tbsp Lime Juice
- 3 tbsp Agave Syrup (can substitute with honey or cane sugar)
Add all the ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Garnish with lime wedges and fresh strawberries. Easy as 1, 2… DRINK! Enjoy immediately.
