10+ Drink Recipes to Refresh Your Summer Gatherings

10+ Drink Recipes to Refresh Your Summer Gatherings

ByKnow Recipes Team Reading Time: 7 minutes

If you like mixing up drinks at home, having a stash of easy recipes really helps. Whether you’re after something cool for a sweltering day or a fun cocktail for friends, there’s plenty to try.

Simple drink recipes let you whip up tasty beverages with stuff you probably already have.

Close-up of a colorful drink in a clear glass on a white marble countertop with a plain bright background.

Drinks come in all shapes—smoothies, classic cocktails, fruity punches, you name it. You don’t need to be a pro to make something good.

Trying new recipes is honestly a fun way to find what you love. Here are some easy ideas to get you started.

1) Classic Mojito

Close-up of a classic Mojito cocktail with mint leaves, lime slices, and crushed ice on a white marble surface.

A classic mojito is one of those cocktails that just works—fresh mint, lime, sugar, white rum, and club soda. The mint and lime make it extra crisp and bright.

It’s perfect for hot days or, honestly, whenever you want a light, tasty drink. Gently muddle the mint leaves with lime and sugar to get the most flavor without bitterness.

Add rum, ice, and top with club soda for that bubbly finish. You can tweak the sweetness or tartness however you like.

Ingredients

  • 10 fresh mint leaves
  • ½ lime, cut into wedges
  • 2 tablespoons white sugar
  • 1 ½ oz white rum
  • Club soda
  • Ice cubes

Cooking Instructions

  1. Put mint leaves and lime wedges in a glass.
  2. Add sugar and muddle gently.
  3. Fill with ice cubes.
  4. Pour in white rum.
  5. Top with club soda and stir.
  6. Garnish with mint or lime if you’re feeling fancy.

2) Frozen Margarita

Close-up of a frozen margarita in a glass with a salted rim on a white marble countertop.

A frozen margarita is basically summer in a glass. You blend tequila, lime juice, triple sec, and ice for a slushy, tangy treat.

Add a splash of agave syrup if you want it sweeter. Salting the rim? Totally worth it.

Just blend everything until it’s smooth, pour into a chilled glass, and garnish with a lime wedge. Festive and easy.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup tequila
  • 1 cup lime juice
  • ½ cup triple sec
  • 2 tablespoons agave syrup (optional)
  • 6 cups ice
  • Kosher salt (for rimming)
  • Lime wedges (for garnish)

Cooking Instructions:

  1. Rub a lime wedge on the glass rim.
  2. Dip in kosher salt.
  3. Add tequila, lime juice, triple sec, agave syrup, and ice to a blender.
  4. Blend until smooth.
  5. Pour into the prepared glass.
  6. Garnish with a lime wedge.

3) Aperol Spritz

Close-up of an Aperol Spritz cocktail in a glass on a white marble countertop with an orange slice garnish.

Aperol Spritz is simple and so refreshing. Start with Prosecco, Aperol, and a splash of soda water.

The classic ratio is 3:2:1, but honestly, you can play with it. Fill your glass with ice, add Aperol, then Prosecco, and finish with soda water.

Stir gently so you don’t lose the bubbles. Pop in an orange slice for an extra burst of color.

Ingredients

  • 3 oz Prosecco
  • 2 oz Aperol
  • 1 oz soda water
  • Ice
  • Orange slice

Cooking Instructions

  1. Fill a wine glass with ice.
  2. Pour in Aperol.
  3. Add Prosecco.
  4. Top with soda water.
  5. Stir gently.
  6. Garnish with an orange slice.

For more details, check this Classic Aperol Spritz recipe.

4) Bloody Mary

Close-up of a Bloody Mary cocktail with celery, lemon wedge, olives, and a cherry tomato on a white marble countertop.

Craving something savory and spicy? Bloody Mary’s your best bet.

It’s a classic: vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire, and hot sauce. You set the spice level.

Great for brunch or if you’re just in the mood for a drink with a kick. Add horseradish or celery salt for extra zing.

Don’t forget the garnish—a celery stick or lemon wedge makes it pop.

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces vodka
  • 4 ounces tomato juice
  • 1/4 ounce fresh lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons prepared horseradish
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 dashes hot sauce (like Tabasco)
  • Celery salt, black pepper to taste
  • Lemon wedge and celery stick for garnish

Cooking Instructions

  1. Mix vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, and Worcestershire in a tall glass.
  2. Stir in horseradish, hot sauce, celery salt, and black pepper.
  3. Stir well.
  4. Add ice if you want it chilled.
  5. Garnish with lemon wedge and celery stick.

For more details, check this classic Bloody Mary recipe.

5) Rum Punch

Close-up of a Rum Punch cocktail in a clear glass with tropical fruit garnishes on a white marble countertop.

Rum punch is fruity, fun, and ridiculously easy. Mix up your favorite rums with pineapple, orange, and lime juice.

Toss in a bit of grenadine for color and sweetness. Serve over ice with fresh fruit for a bright, tropical vibe.

Ingredients

  • 2 oz white rum
  • 1 oz pineapple juice
  • 1 oz orange juice
  • 1/2 oz lime juice
  • 1/2 oz grenadine
  • Ice
  • Orange slices (optional)

Cooking Instructions

  1. Pour rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, and lime juice into a pitcher.
  2. Stir well.
  3. Slowly add grenadine so it sinks.
  4. Add ice.
  5. Garnish with orange slices if you want.

For more details on variations, check this rum punch recipe.

6) Black Russian

Close-up image of a Black Russian cocktail in a clear glass on a white marble countertop with a bright neutral background.

The Black Russian? Couldn’t be easier. Just vodka and coffee liqueur over ice.

You get a smooth, rich coffee flavor—no fuss. Serve it in a rocks glass and stir to chill.

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces vodka
  • 1 ounce coffee liqueur (like Kahlúa)
  • Ice

Cooking Instructions

  1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
  2. Pour in vodka and coffee liqueur.
  3. Stir until cold.
  4. Strain into a rocks glass with ice.
  5. Enjoy.

Learn more about the recipe on Liquor.com.

7) Disaronno Fizz

Close-up of a glass of Disaronno Fizz cocktail with ice and lemon slice on a white marble countertop.

Disaronno Fizz is light, bubbly, and a little sweet. Start with Disaronno, the almond liqueur.

Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for some tang. Top with soda water for fizz.

Serve it over ice. If you want, toss in a lemon or orange peel for garnish.

Ingredients

  • 2 oz (60 ml) Disaronno
  • Fresh lemon juice, a squeeze
  • Soda water
  • Ice cubes
  • Lemon or orange peel for garnish (optional)

Cooking Instructions

  1. Fill a glass with ice.
  2. Pour in Disaronno.
  3. Add lemon juice.
  4. Top with soda water.
  5. Stir and garnish if you like.

See a recipe example at Spirits Platform.

8) Salted Caramel Pretzel Milkshake

Close-up of a salted caramel pretzel milkshake in a clear glass jar topped with whipped cream and pretzel pieces on a white marble countertop.

This milkshake is sweet, salty, and just a little bit crunchy. Start with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce.

Break up pretzels for that salty crunch. A pinch of sea salt keeps it from getting too sweet.

Use whole milk for an extra creamy texture. Blend everything until thick and frosty.

Pour into a glass and dig in. It’s a treat—maybe even a dessert.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups vanilla ice cream
  • ¼ cup caramel sauce
  • 2–3 tablespoons whole milk
  • ⅓ cup broken pretzels
  • 2 pinches sea salt

Cooking Instructions:

  1. Add ice cream, caramel sauce, and milk to a blender.
  2. Blend until smooth.
  3. Stir in pretzels and sea salt.
  4. Pour into a glass and serve.

For more details, check this Salted Caramel Pretzel Milkshake recipe.

9) CELSIUS Playa Vibe Colada

Close-up of a creamy pineapple and coconut Colada drink garnished with pineapple and mint on a white marble countertop.

If you’re into tropical flavors, CELSIUS Playa Vibe Colada is a must-try. It’s a sparkling mix of pineapple and coconut.

Mix CELSIUS Playa Vibe energy drink with pineapple juice and coconut cream. It’s light, refreshing, and not too sweet.

Serve chilled—add ice cubes or even frozen pineapple chunks if you want it extra cold. Feels like a vacation in a glass.

Ingredients

  • 2.5 cans (12 oz each) CELSIUS Playa Vibe
  • 2.5 cups pineapple juice
  • 1.25 cups coconut cream

Cooking Instructions

  1. Pour the CELSIUS Playa Vibe into a large pitcher.

  2. Add pineapple juice and coconut cream.

  3. Stir gently until everything comes together.

  4. Serve it over ice or just chilled, whichever you like.

  5. If you’re feeling fancy, throw on some pineapple chunks or maybe a cherry.

Go ahead and enjoy your tropical drink!

Curious about this flavor? Take a peek at the CELSIUS Playa Vibe details.

10) Spooky Party Punch Slushi

Close-up of a colorful spooky party punch slushi drink with ice and fruit garnishes on a white marble countertop.

You’ll have a blast making this spooky party punch slushi. It’s a cold, colorful drink that’s just right for gatherings.

The punch mixes together fruit juices and chills into a slushy texture. If you use a frozen drink maker, you’ll nail that icy consistency.

Serve it in a big bowl or pour into glasses—whatever feels easier. Honestly, the punch looks as fun as it tastes.

Toss in some tiny fruits or a few candies if you want to make it extra spooky. It’s a cool, fruity treat for parties or whenever you need something refreshing.

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups mixed fruit juice (like grape, orange, and pineapple)
  • 1 cup lemon-lime soda
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • Optional: gummy candies or fruit pieces

Cooking Instructions:

  1. Mix the fruit juices, lemon-lime soda, and sugar together.
  2. Pour the mixture into a frozen drink maker and choose the frozen juice setting.
  3. Let it churn until slushy—usually 30 to 60 minutes, depending on your machine.
  4. Serve chilled, and if you’re feeling festive, add candies or fruit on top.

You can find more details at Ninja Test Kitchen Spooky Party Punch Slushi.

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