Close-up of carafes filled with different fruit-infused waters sitting in a metal trough filled with ice.

It’s summer, which means lots and lots of ice-cold drinks. Try any one of these delicious summer drinks to keep coolโ€”we’ve got cocktails, mocktails, caffeinated drinks, and non-alcoholic sips for you here.

We love plain water here at Wholefully, but sometimes you want something a little more fancy and flavorfulโ€”especially when the summer heat hits! We’ve pulled together all of our favorite cocktails, mocktails, and other refreshing beverages to help you quench your thirst this summer. Let’s get sipping!

A collage of brightly colored beverages. A text overlay reads "18 Summer Drink Recipes"

What drink hydrates you the most?

You’re going to get the most hydration from…water. Did sad trombones just sound? We know it doesn’t sound all that exciting, but it’s the truth! Many days, we stick with glasses of icy water for our hydration, but when we want to mix it up, we make infused water with whatever fruits and herbs strike our fancy. Watermelon and fresh basil? Delicious. Berries and mint? You betcha. We’ve tried countless variations, but these are our eight favorite flavor combinations.

Wholefully Protip

After a hard workout, you may need a boost of electrolytes with your hydration. In that situation, we recommend this homemade electrolyte drink.

What is a good drink for a hot day?

Our number one requirement for being considered a good drink for a hot day is that it must be cold. Hot coffee and tea can wait their turn until the weather shifts again.

We also look for ingredients that taste and feel cooling. We love warm, cozy spices like cinnamon and ginger…in the fall. In the depths of summer, give us all the citrus, berries, and sparkling flavors. For cocktails, light-colored alcohols like tequila, white rum, and vodka tend to feel cooler and brighter, too.

What are good drinks for summer parties?

When you’re serving a crowd, look for drinks that can serve lots of people at once, rather than individual cocktails. Pitcher drinks are particularly great for parties. And always make sure you have some solid non-alcoholic options on hand too. A big batch of the easiest from-scratch strawberry lemonade will keep guests of all ages happy, as will carafes of various infused waters. 

Whatever you choose, make sure that you keep the beverages on iceโ€”nobody wants a lukewarm drink at a summer party! You can stash drinks in coolers, or fill big galvanized tubs with ice to nestle the drinks in.

Close-up of carafes filled with different fruit-infused waters sitting in a metal trough filled with ice.

What if I don’t drink alcohol?

No worriesโ€”we’ve got you covered, too. In addition to the recipes in the non-alcoholic section below (strawberry lemonade, infused waters, and sun tea, oh my!), here’s how to turn some of our favorite summer cocktail recipes into tasty non-alcoholic drinks:

  • Frozen Cucumber Strawberry Slushie. Leave out the tequila and triple sec from our frozen margarita for a fruity, refreshing slushie.
  • Blueberry Basil Refresher. Skip the vodka in this vodka tonic and just combine the blueberry basil simple syrup with tonic water over ice. Garnish with some blueberries and fresh basil to make it feel every fancier.
  • No-Booze Cucumber Mojito. The first time we made these “mojitos” was without the alcoholโ€”and it was just as enjoyable as one made with white rum.

18+ Summer Drinks

It's summer, which means lots and lots of ice-cold drinks. Try any one of these delicious summer drinks to keep coolโ€”we've got cocktails, mocktails, caffeinated drinks, and non-alcoholic sips for you here.

Best Summer Cocktails

Homemade Beverages

Non-Alcoholic Drinks

Caffeinated

Start your morning off with one of these chilled coffees or teas.

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