10 Easy and Refreshing Summer Drinks to Make in 2021

10 Easy and Refreshing Summer Drinks to Make in 2021

With summer in full swing, the heat demands a cold and refreshing drink. Let’s face it – no one wants to be in the kitchen longer than you need to be during summer! That’s why we’ve got 10 simple and refreshing drinks to wet your whistle this summer. So bring out the frosty glasses and get ready for some frozen fun!

Peachy Raspberry Bellini

Raspberries and peaches collide in this slushy and fruity champagne.

Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients
1 cup peach purée, chilled
12-15 fresh raspberries
1 bottle rosé prosecco

Instructions
Measure out 2 tbsp peach purée in 6 glasses. Slowly pour 4 ounces of prosecco, pausing when bubbles start to form. Continue pouring again as the bubbles settle. Finish off by dropping 2 raspberries into each glass and serve!

 

Espresso Martini Slushie

A cold and boozy coffee? Say no more!

Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 2

Ingredients
2 oz vodka
2 oz kahlua
4 oz espresso, cooled
1 tsp sugar
1 ⅓ cup of ice cubes

Instructions
Place all ingredients into a blender and mix until smooth. Let the mixture settle for 1-2 minutes. Serve into 2 glasses and enjoy!

 

Cucumber Watermelon Tonic

A perfect pairing of cucumber and watermelon create this hydrating and refreshing drink.

Time: 4 minutes
Servings: 2

Ingredients
3 oz watermelon juice *(see below for steps to make juice)
3 oz gin
1 oz simple syrup
6 slices of cucumber
1 ½ ounces lime juice
2 pinches of salt
3 oz soda water
Ice

Instructions
To make watermelon juice, add cubed watermelon to a blender and puree until smooth. Strain through a sieve into a jug. Place 4 cucumber slices into a cocktail shaker and muddle well. Add gin, simple syrup, watermelon and lime juices and salt. Fill shaker with ice and shake for 30 seconds. Strain into an ice filled glass and top with soda water. Garnish with remaining cucumber slices and serve.

 

Daisy Buchanan

Channel your inner Carey Mulligan with this drink inspired by F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby.

Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 2

Ingredients
1 cup chamomile tea, chilled
3 oz elderflower liqueur
3 oz gin
1 ½ tbsp lemon juice
Lemon peel strips, for garnish

Instructions
Mix tea, elderflower liqueur, gin, and lemon juice. Garnish with strips of lemon peel and serve

 

Strawberry Basil Bourbon Smash

If summer were a drink, it would taste just like this!

Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 2

Ingredients
½ cup strawberries, chopped into large chunks
2 tbsp lemon juice
10 leaves of fresh basil
4 tsp simple syrup
¾ cup bourbon
¾ cup sparkling water
Ice

Instructions
Using a cocktail shaker, blend strawberries, lemon juice, basil, simple syrup, and bourbon. Pour over ice and top with sparkling water.

 

Classic Caesar

What’s a summer cocktail list without this all-time Canadian favourite drink?!

Time: 4 minutes
Servings: 1

Ingredients
1 oz vodka
3 oz clamato juice
3 dashes worcestershire sauce
3 dashes hot sauce
Ice
Optional: Celery, pickles, olives, salt and pepper for garnish

Instructions
Fill a glass with ice. Be sure to add ingredients in this order. Start with Worcestershire sauce, then clamato juice. Next add hot sauce, vodka, and season with salt and pepper. Garnish with celery, pickles, or other additions of your choice.

 

Lavender Lemon Martini

The classiest lemonade you’ll drink all summer.

Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 2

Ingredients
2 tsp culinary lavender buds
2 tbsp simple syrup
4 oz lemon vodka
2 oz lemon juice
Ice
Lavender sprigs, for garnish

Instructions
Using a cocktail shaker, gently muddle lavender and simple syrup. Pour in vodka, lemon juice, and ice and shake well. Strain into cocktail glasses and garnish with lavender sprigs.

 

Fresh Paloma

This Mexican-inspired cocktail is sweet, sour, and super refreshing!

Time: 4 minutes
Servings: 2

Ingredients
4 oz tequila
4 oz fresh grapefruit juice or soda
Grapefruit or lime wedges
4 oz sparkling water
1 oz lime juice
½ oz simple syrup
Coarse sea salt, for rim (optional)
Ice

Instructions
Salt glasses by rubbing a grapefruit wedge around the edges and dipping onto a small plate with salt. Fill with ice. Mix tequila, grapefruit juice, sparkling water, lime juice, and simple syrup into the glass and stir gently. Garnish with a lime or grapefruit wedge.

 

Frosé

Perfect for happy hour, only 3 ingredients are needed to create this frozen treat!

Time: 6 hours
Servings: 4-6

Ingredients
1 bottle dry rosé
2 ½ cups strawberries
1 tbsp honey

Instructions
Open the rosé and set aside ⅔ cup for serving. Remove strawberry tops and cut in half. Using a blender, puree strawberries, remaining rosé, and honey until smooth. Pour mixture into a covered baking dish and place in freezer for 6 hours or overnight. Remove from freezer and blend once again. Pour into glasses and add a splash of rosé. Garnish with strawberries and serve.

 

Pineapple Mojito

A tropical twist on an old favorite.

Time: 5 minutes
Serves: 2

Ingredients
4 oz rum
1 tbsp lime juice
2 tbsp simple syrup
1 cup of pineapple juice
½ cup soda water
8 mint leaves
Lime wedges, mint sprigs, or pineapple wheels for garnish

Instructions
Fill 2 glasses with ice. Muddle simple syrup, mint, and lime juice in a cocktail shaker. Add pineapple juice and rum and shake for 30 seconds. Strain into 2 glasses and top with ¼ cup club soda. Add mint, lime, or pineapple for garnish.

 

Whiskey Lemonade

Simple, tart, sweet, and delicious!

Time: 5 minutes
Serves: 2

Ingredients
3 oz Whiskey
6 oz lemonade
Fresh rosemary or mint (optional)
Ice

Instructions
Muddle whiskey, lemonade, and herbs in a cocktail shaker. Strain into 2 ice-filled glasses and garnish with extra rosemary or mint.

Raise your glass! Cheers to sunny days and more good times ahead!