Summer Sipping Made Easy: Simple & Delicious Cocktail Recipes

Summer is the perfect time to unleash your inner mixologist and create some refreshing cocktails! And here’s the best part: you don’t need a degree in bartending to whip up a delicious new drink. We’ve handpicked three of our favorite cocktail recipes that pack in the flavor without the work.  

First up is a drink designed for long summer evenings: a 5-minute Vodka Sunrise from 2 Cookin Mamas.

Vodka Sunrise

•       5 oz. Italian lemon soda or sparkling lemonade
•       1 ½ oz. vodka
•       Splash of cherry juice
•       Lemon slices
•       Ice

Instructions

1.     Fill a glass with ice and a slice of lemon.
2.     Pour in lemon soda or sparkling lemonade.
3.     Add vodka and stir.
4.     Top with cherry juice and another slice of lemon for garnish. 

Pro tip: Serve this colorful cocktail in clear mason jar mugs to enjoy that sunset look and keep the bugs away.

Our next cocktail screams summer vibes! We plan to stay cool all season with an endless supply of this Watermelon Gin Fizz from Eating Well.  

Watermelon Gin Fizz

•       5 cups diced watermelon, divided
•       6 oz. gin, divided
•       8 TBSP lime juice, divided
•       1 1/3 C ginger ale, divided
•       Lime wedges for garnish
•       Ice

Instructions

1.     Freeze 1 cup watermelon in advance for garnish.
2.     Puree the remaining 4 cups watermelon. Strain and divide among four ice-filled glasses.
3.     To each glass, add 1 ½ oz. gin, 2 TBSP lime juice, and 1/3 cup ginger ale.
4.     Garnish with frozen watermelon and lime wedges.

Last but not least, we have a drink that’s literally called the red wine of summer! Whip up this Tinto de Verano from The Dink Dog Mom by the pitcher for easy party prep.

Tinto de Verano

•       1 750 ml bottle of fruity red wine
•       1 750 ml bottle of sparkling lemonade
•       1 whole lemon, sliced
•       1 whole orange, sliced
•       Ice

Instructions

1.     Add sliced fruits to a large drink dispenser.
2.     Pour in the red wine and sparkling lemonade and gently stir to mix.
3.     Prep glasses with ice and serve Tinto de Verano with fruit slices for garnish.

Make these to enjoy solo on a quiet night or en masse to impress your friends! Either way, we have a feeling you’ll be sipping on these all summer long.