Two peach-coloured cocktails in short glasses with salted rims and a wedge of grapefruit

36 summer cocktails

Piña colada

Best drunk in the sun on holiday, piña coladas really are the bee's knees. Transport yourself to the tropics by recreating our perfect recipe at home.

Sex on the beach

This cocktail sings of summer – simply mix vodka with peach schnapps, orange juice and cranberry juice. Try more vodka cocktails.

White wine sangria

Summer screams for sangria – try this white wine version with brandy, elderflower and plenty of fruit.

Paloma cocktail

The perfect refresher for the summer months, check out this light and breezy tequila cocktail featuring agave syrup and grapefruit.

Banana daiquiri

Transport yourself to a sunny beach with this fruity daiquiri cocktail, bursting with tropical and summery flavours including banana and white rum.

For more recipe inspiration, check out our banana recipes.

A banana daiquiri cocktail with fresh banana on the side

Zombie cocktail

For a fresh and fruity cocktail with plenty of kick, try this zombie cocktail which mixes three types of rum with anise liqueur and Angostura bitters.

Mai tai

If you’re feeling fruity, make this tropical cocktail made with two types of rum, orange curacao, almond syrup and lime juice. Perfect with a pineapple wedge.

Frozen margarita

Nothing quite says summer like a frozen margarita in a salt-crusted glass. This recipe only requires four ingredients, making it perfect for cocktail making without the fuss.

Strawberry margarita slushies

Stay cool this summer with refreshing strawberry margarita slushies. These fruity drinks are super quick and easy to make, a perfect crowd-pleaser.

Strawberry Margarita Slushie Recipe | Strawberry Granita Recipe

Passion fruit caipirinha

A passion fruit twist on the punchy Brazilian cocktail. This is an ideal drink for those warm summer evenings. If you love a passion fruit cocktail, try our passion fruit martini recipe next.

Bring a burst of flavour to your summer soirées by melding the captivating smokiness of mezcal with the sun-kissed sweetness of pineapple juice. Check out our guide to the best mezcal to buy to find the perfect addition to your drinks cupboard.

Pineapple mezcal margarita in a martini glass topped with a dried lime.

Sgroppino

Serve this cocktail-dessert hybrid for an easy yet impressive end to an Italian-inspired al fresco dinner.

Bicicletta spritz

A sophisticated take on a classic cocktail, this recipe uses dry white wine (a light Italian variety) in place of the usual prosecco. Ideal for lazy summer afternoons.

Margarita

Lime juice, tequila and cointreau are all that is required to make our simple and delicious margarita. No self-respecting cocktail menu would be complete without this punchy, citrussy treat.

Take a look through our best ever margarita recipes for even more twists and variations.

Margarita in a glass with copper cocktail shaker and a plate of limes behind

Strawberry daiquiri

It's party time! Grab strawberries, rum, lime juice and ice, then blitz it all together for quick-as-you-like homemade cocktails that'll cool you right down.

Caipirinha

Mojito fans in particular will love this light, zesty yet punchy cocktail, which is Brazil's national drink. A properly refreshing sip for a summer's day.

Seabreeze cocktail

You'll need cranberry vodka, two types of sherry and grapefruit juice for this refreshing cocktail from Manzi's seafood restaurant in Soho.

A tall cocktail with a twist of orange on top

Pineapple whisky sour

Pineapple juice adds a refreshing fruity twist to the classic whisky sour, as well as giving it a lighter edge. Try this recipe to see what we mean.

Elderflower daiquiri

Summery, elegant and simple to make, this cocktail is also easy to adjust to your taste. Reduce the lime juice by 5ml to make it sweeter, or add more to sharpen.

Black Mout Montserrat cocktail

A quick and easy recipe which sings summer, give this spiced rum cocktail from Brixton restaurant Caribe’ a go.

A wooden table topped with a rum cocktail, with silver cocktail shakers and a wedge of lime on the side

Virgin mojito

Who needs rum for a refreshing cocktail in the sun? Whip-up an alcohol-free mojito with fresh lime, mint leaves, apple juice and sparkling water. All the Cuban flavour, none of the hangover!

Apricot bellini

Blitz fresh apricots to make our summery take on a classic Italian prosecco cocktail. If you love a bellini, try our quirky pear drop bellini recipe next.

Raspberry daiquiri

A classic with a twist, this bright-red concoction uses fresh raspberries, lots of lime juice and white rum. A fruity, refreshing cocktail that's perfect for summer.

Jamaican rum punch

This rum punch is packed with the tropical flavours of coconut, pineapple and lime. It's simple to make and can serve a crowd, meaning it's ideal for summer get-togethers. Serve alongside a Caribbean feast - check out our best Caribbean recipes for inspiration.

Lagerita cocktail

This lagerita takes the tequila from a classic margarita and combines it with beer. Make this quick and easy cocktail for a simple but refreshing drink this summer.

Classic sangria

Channel sunny holiday vibes with this classic Spanish tipple. Grab a bottle of light, dry red wine, some fruit, brandy and lemonade and create your own version of this refreshing punch. See more Spanish recipes for a Mediterranean-inspired feast.

Sangria in a jug with three glasses of sangria beside it

Mezcal, pineapple and jalapeño smash

The smoky notes of the mezcal work wonderfully with the grilled pineapple and gentle heat from the chilli in this spicy drink, ideal for summer. It’s simple to make and can easily be made into a jug cocktail for a crowd. Find more of our jug cocktail recipes here.