20+ Refreshing Summer Cocktails to Try in 2026

A fresh lineup of easy cocktails, perfect for gatherings in warm weather, relaxed evenings, and anything else you can think of.

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3 image collage of white sangria, frozen margarita, and mojito drinks

If you’re looking to switch things up this summer by trying some different cocktails, this collection of 20+ refreshing drinks has you covered. All of these are easy to make, and cover a wide range of preferences and tastes. From batch drinks like Sangria, or a fancy Cosmopolitan, you’re sure to please you and your guests with your mixology chops. Each section is broken down into easy to understand cocktails. There’s simple mainstays, perfect for when you want to wind down quickly after work. Brunch favorites that complement the weather, as well as your meal. And tropical treats when you can’t make it to the beach so you can to bring it to you. Let’s face it, the last thing you want to think about after deciding what’s for dinner is what do I want to drink? Now you can take the guess work out of it, because I’ve provided you with plenty of drinks that you’ll be welcoming the warm weather in style.

Simple, Fresh, and Easy

These simple cocktails are easy to make, but don’t lack in the refreshing department.

Greyhound Cocktails up close
Greyhound Cocktail
Greyhound Cocktail is a refreshing, tart drink that's easy to make with vodka and grapefruit juice over ice. Try it for brunch or happy hour!
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Finished Mint Julep
Mint Julep
Mint Julep is the perfect refreshing cocktail and easy to make with bourbon, fresh mint leaves, and simple syrup all poured over crushed ice.
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Mojito in glass
Mojito
A Classic Mojito is the perfect, refreshing summer cocktail recipe made with white rum, lime juice, simple syrup, and muddled mint leaves.
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Moscow Mule in copper mugs
Moscow Mule
Moscow Mule is a classic and refreshing ice-cold cocktail with vodka, lime juice, and ginger beer. Easy to make in just a couple of minutes!
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Finished cocktail in collins glass with citrus slice garnish
Paloma Cocktail
A Paloma Cocktail is a refreshing tequila-based cocktail with tart grapefruit juice and lime balanced by sweet simple syrup and club soda.
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Two tall glasses of lemonade with lemon and mint leaves
Vodka Lemonade
Vodka Lemonade is a cooling, refreshing iced drink that you can make in just a few minutes. The easiest poolside cocktail ever for summer!
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Happy Hour at Home

Skip the bar after work, and have your own Happy Hour in the comfort of your home.

Refreshing cocktail in tall wine glass with orange garnish.
Aperol Spritz Recipe
Aperol Spritz is a refreshing, bubbly, subtly sweet yet tart, wine-based Italian cocktail that's easy to make with just 4 ingredients.
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Cosmopolitan Cocktail in glass with ingredients in background, 1x1
Cosmopolitan Cocktail
A Cosmopolitan Cocktail or Cosmo is a classic drink with vodka, triple sec, and cranberry juice. Perfect balance of sweet and tart flavor!
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Closeup side view of cocktail in coupe glass with lime slice
Gimlet Cocktail
A Gimlet Cocktail is the perfect sweet and sour drink with lime, simple syrup, and gin. Includes an easy homemade simple syrup recipe.
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Sea breeze cocktails in collins glasses with garnishes.
Sea Breeze Cocktail
Sea Breeze Cocktail with vodka, grapefruit and cranberry juice is perfect for Summer days or anytime you want to imagine you're on vacation.
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Two collins glasses filled with gin, club soda, and sweetened lemon juice.
Tom Collins Cocktail Recipe
Tom Collins Cocktail is a classic drink that's bright and bubbly, and is the perfect sweet, tart, herby, and fizzy drink. Ready in minutes!
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Brunch, but Make it Summer

These cocktails are perfect for a warm weather brunch to cool off and relax.

Finished cocktails in champagne glasses with peach and mint garnish
Bellini Recipe
Bellini is a sparkling Italian cocktail perfect for Summer. Light, fruity, elegant, with a silky texture and effervescence.
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Two Cocktails in Collins glasses with orange juice and garnish.
Fuzzy Navel Recipe
Fuzzy Navel is a fun cocktail with an equally fun name. Bright citrusy flavor, light on alcohol, and perfect for drinking at a brunch.
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Mixed drink with beer and tomato juice.
Michelada Recipe
Michelada is a refreshing beer cocktail with savory, spicy, and citrusy flavors in one sip. It's a great drink to mix things up!
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Prepared Sex on the Beach drink with garnish.
Sex on the Beach Cocktail Recipe
Sex on the Beach Cocktail is the perfect fun and fruity drink made with vodka, cranberry juice, and peach schnapps. A great summer cocktail!
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Toes in the Sand, Drink in Hand

Bring the beach to the backyard with these tropical favorites, perfect for a chill get together.

Fruity cocktail in hurricane glass.
Bahama Mama Recipe
Bahama Mama is a vibrant and fruity cocktail that's sweet, refreshing, and perfect for hot weather sipping. Ready in only 10 minutes!
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Finished cocktail in glass
Classic Daiquiri
A Classic Daiquiri is a simple cocktail to make at home and perfect if you like sweet and sour drinks. Made with lime, rum, and simple syrup.
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Fruity layered rum drink in cocktail glass.
Mai Tai
Mai Tai is a fruity, tropical rum cocktail that you can make yourself with two types of rum, orange curaçao, lime juice, and orgeat.
Blended frozen drink in glass with lime garnish.
Frozen Margarita Recipe
Frozen Margaritas are the perfect party drink. Bring the crowd together with a refreshingly tart, citrusy blended summer favorite.
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Small glass with margarita mix and lime slice
Classic Margarita
The Classic Margarita on the rocks is a favorite summer drink for a reason. My recipe made with real lime juice is fresh, tart and delicious!
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Pina Colada in glass
Pina Colada
Pina Coladas are the ultimate refreshing summer cocktail with rum, cream of coconut, pineapple, and fresh lime juice. A cool, sweet cocktail!
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Party Time, Pour it Up

Easy to make, easy to share, and perfect to keep the party going.

Wine cocktail in glass with fruit and straw.
White Sangria Recipe
White Sangria is the perfect Summer drink that's light, fruity, and refreshing. An easy crisp cocktail perfect for sharing.
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Cocktail glass with fruity drink and garnish.
Jungle Juice Recipe
Jungle Juice is the perfect fun, bold, crowd and budget friendly drink that's refreshing, easy to make, and great for large groups.
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Lemon drop shooter with lemon wedge on top.
Lemon Drop Shots
Lemon Drop Shots are the perfect party drink. It's a fun vodka shot that's tart, sweet, and so easy to make.
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Long Island Iced Tea finished in glass with lemon wheel.
Long Island Iced Tea
Long Island Iced Tea is the perfect party drink for Summer with five types of liquor: vodka, gin, tequila, white rum, and triple sec.
Sangria in a glass
Sangria
Sangria is a delicious Spanish wine cocktail made with red wine, orange juice, brandy, and fresh fruit slices. 
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This collection will make it easy to find a drink to fit whatever kind of day you’re having. Whether winding down from work, hosting friends for brunch, or getting a crowd together, there’s something here to take the pressure off of hosting, and keeps things enjoyable. Instead of overthinking what to make, you can come back to this list to pick a drink that matches your mood, meal, or moment. Try something new, revisit a classic, and keep your summer lineup feeling fresh. With these cocktails on hand, you’ll be set to enjoy the 2026 summer season one sip at a time.

So you’ve got the drinks covered, what about food? Check out my Ultimate Deli Salads Collection with Over 50 Recipes for the perfect backyard meal.

3 image collage of sangria, margarita, and mojito with ingredient lists

About the Author: Sabrina

Dinner, then Dessert, Inc. owns the copyright on all images and text and does not allow for its original recipes and pictures to be reproduced anywhere other than at this site unless authorization is given. Read my disclosure and copyright policy. This post may contain affiliate links.

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