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.
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.
About the Author: Sabrina Snyder
Sabrina is a professionally trained Private Chef of over 10 years with ServSafe Manager certification in food safety. She creates all the recipes here on Dinner, then Dessert, fueled in no small part by her love for bacon.
Sabrina Snyder is a professionally trained personal and private chef of over 10 years who is the creator and developer of all the recipes on Dinner, then Dessert.
She is also the author of the cookbook Dinner, then Dessert – Satisfying Meals Using Only 3, 5 or 7 Ingredients, published by Harper Collins.
She started Dinner, then Dessert as a business in her office as a lunch service for her coworkers who admired her lunches before going to culinary school and becoming a full time personal chef and private chef.
As a personal chef Sabrina would cook for families one day a week and cook their entire week of dinners. All grocery shopping, cooking and cleaning was done along with instructions on reheating. As a private chef she cooked for private parties and cooked in family homes in the evenings for families on a nightly basis after working as a personal chef during the day.
Sabrina has been certified as a ServSafe Manager since 2007 and was a longstanding member of the USPCA Personal Chef Association including being on the board of the Washington DC Chapter of Chefs in the US Personal Chef Association when they won Chapter of the year.
As a member of the community of food website creators Sabrina Snyder has spoken at many conferences regarding her experiences as a food writer including the Indulge Food Conference, Everything Food Conference, Haven Food Conference and IACP Annual Food Professionals Conference.
Sabrina lives with her family in sunny California.
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.
