20 Easy Summer Drinks Everyone Loves

Let’s talk about your party’s drink situation.

If your plan is to just throw a warm case of soda into a cooler with a bag of ice, we need to have a serious conversation.

You’re out here planning the perfect summer vibe, the perfect playlist, the perfect guest list… and you’re going to serve drinks with zero main character energy? No. We’re not doing that this year.

This isn’t just a list of recipes. This is your official glow up. This is the secret playbook that separates the hosts who “have drinks” from the legends who create an entire experience.

So, if you’re ready to stop being the person with the sad cooler and start being the person whose friends post their drinks on Instagram, keep scrolling. Your legacy depends on it.

1. Classic Fresh-Squeezed Lemonade

This isn’t the stuff from a powder. This is the real deal, with the timeless, perfectly balanced taste of summer that is a million times better when you make it yourself./

• Ingredients:
  • 1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice (from about 4-6 lemons)
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 4 cups cold water
• Instructions:
  1. Make a simple syrup by heating the sugar and 1 cup of water in a saucepan, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Let it cool.
  2. In a large pitcher, combine the cooled simple syrup, fresh lemon juice, and the remaining 3 cups of cold water.
  3. Stir well and serve over ice with lemon wheels for garnish.

2. Sparkling Strawberry Lemonade

This is what happens when classic lemonade gets a fun, bubbly makeover. The fresh strawberries add a beautiful pink hue and a sweet, fruity flavor that makes it feel extra special./

• Ingredients:
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries
  • 1 batch of Classic Fresh-Squeezed Lemonade
  • 1 bottle of sparkling water or club soda, chilled
• Instructions:
  1. In a blender, blend the strawberries with a splash of the prepared lemonade until you have a smooth puree.
  2. Strain the puree through a fine-mesh sieve into your pitcher of lemonade.
  3. To serve, fill glasses halfway with the strawberry lemonade, then top with chilled sparkling water.

3. The “I’m So Fancy” Lavender Lemonade

The subtle, floral hint of lavender adds a sophisticated and unexpected twist to classic lemonade that feels incredibly elegant and unique./

• Ingredients:
  • 1 batch of Classic Fresh-Squeezed Lemonade
  • 1 tbsp dried culinary lavender
• Instructions:
  1. When making the simple syrup for the lemonade, add the dried lavender to the pot as it heats.
  2. Let the lavender steep in the hot syrup for about 20 minutes as it cools.
  3. Strain the lavender buds out of the syrup before mixing it with the lemon juice and water.

4. Creamy Brazilian Limeade

Made by blending whole limes, this drink has a zesty, slightly bitter edge that’s perfectly balanced by a creamy, sweet finish from condensed milk./

• Ingredients:
  • 2 large, juicy limes
  • 4 cups cold water
  • 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
• Instructions:
  1. Wash the limes, cut off the ends, and slice them into 8 wedges each.
  2. Place the lime wedges and cold water in a blender. Pulse just 5-7 times (do not over-blend).
  3. Strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve into a pitcher, discarding the solids.
  4. Stir the sweetened condensed milk into the lime water until fully combined. Serve immediately over ice.

5. The Perfect Southern-Style Iced Tea

This is real, authentic sweet tea. It’s bold, smooth, and never bitter, with the perfect level of sweetness to stand up to a glass full of ice on a hot day./

• Ingredients:
  • 6-8 black tea bags
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 8 cups of water
• Instructions:
  1. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil, then remove from heat. Add the tea bags and let them steep for 5-10 minutes.
  2. Remove the tea bags without squeezing them. While the tea is still hot, add the sugar and stir until dissolved.
  3. Pour the sweet tea concentrate into a large pitcher and add the remaining 4 cups of cold water. Chill completely.

6. Fresh Peach Iced Tea

This drink tastes like biting into a perfectly ripe summer peach. Using real peaches creates a fresh, authentic flavor that you’ll never get from a bottle./

• Ingredients:
  • 1 batch of Iced Tea (sweetened or unsweetened)
  • 3 ripe peaches
  • 1/4 cup sugar (optional, for syrup)
• Instructions:
  1. Chop two peaches and simmer them with optional sugar and 1/4 cup of water until soft (about 10 minutes).
  2. Strain the peach syrup into your pitcher of iced tea, pressing on the solids.
  3. Slice the remaining fresh peach for garnish.

7. The Perfect Arnold Palmer

The ultimate refreshing beverage where bold iced tea and tart lemonade balance each other perfectly. The key is the 2:1 ratio./

• Ingredients:
  • Southern-Style Iced Tea
  • Classic Fresh-Squeezed Lemonade
• Instructions:
  1. Fill a tall glass with ice.
  2. Pour in iced tea until the glass is two-thirds full.
  3. Top with lemonade, give it a quick stir, and garnish with a lemon wheel.

8. Watermelon Mint Cooler

Basically summer in a glass. It’s incredibly hydrating and refreshing, with the sweet taste of watermelon perfectly complemented by a hint of cool, fresh mint./

• Ingredients:
  • 4 cups cubed seedless watermelon
  • A large handful of fresh mint leaves
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • Optional: Sparkling water to top
• Instructions:
  1. In a blender, combine the watermelon, mint leaves, and lime juice. Blend until completely smooth.
  2. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a pitcher.
  3. Serve over ice, topping with a splash of sparkling water if desired.

9. Sparkling Blueberry “No-jito”

All the delicious, refreshing flavors of a mojito lime, mint, and bubbles but with a sweet blueberry twist and none of the alcohol./

• Ingredients:
  • 1/2 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
  • 10-12 fresh mint leaves
  • Juice of 2 limes
  • 2 tbsp simple syrup (or to taste)
  • Sparkling water or club soda
• Instructions:
  1. In a sturdy glass, gently press and twist (“muddle”) the blueberries, mint leaves, and lime juice together.
  2. Add the simple syrup and fill the glass with ice.
  3. Top with sparkling water and give it a gentle stir.

10. Pineapple Ginger Spritzer

A zesty, tropical spritzer with a spicy kick from fresh ginger. It’s a sophisticated and invigorating drink that’s perfect for a hot afternoon./

• Ingredients:
  • 1 cup pineapple juice, chilled
  • 1 tbsp fresh grated ginger
  • Sparkling water or ginger ale, chilled
• Instructions:
  1. Let the grated ginger steep in the pineapple juice for about 15 minutes in the fridge.
  2. Strain the ginger-infused pineapple juice into a glass filled with ice.
  3. Top with sparkling water or ginger ale.

11. Cucumber Cooler

The ultimate thirst-quencher. The clean, crisp taste of cucumber makes for a drink that is unbelievably refreshing and light./

• Ingredients:
  • 1 large cucumber, peeled and roughly chopped
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • Handful of fresh mint (optional)
  • 2 tbsp simple syrup (optional)
  • 4 cups water
• Instructions:
  1. In a blender, combine the chopped cucumber, lime juice, optional mint, and 1 cup of water. Blend until smooth.
  2. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a pitcher.
  3. Add the remaining 3 cups of water and optional simple syrup. Stir well and serve over ice.

12. Classic Shirley Temple

The original mocktail. This nostalgic, bright red drink is a sweet and bubbly treat that brings back childhood memories./

• Ingredients:
  • Ginger ale, chilled
  • A splash of grenadine
  • Maraschino cherries for garnish
• Instructions:
  1. Fill a glass with ice.
  2. Pour in the ginger ale until it’s almost full.
  3. Slowly pour in a splash of grenadine, allowing it to sink.
  4. Garnish with one or two maraschino cherries.

13. Italian Cream Soda

A fun, customizable, and beautiful layered drink that you can build right in the glass. It’s a creamy, fizzy treat that feels very special./

• Ingredients:
  • 1/4 cup of your favorite flavored syrup (e.g., raspberry, strawberry)
  • Sparkling water or club soda, chilled
  • A splash of half-and-half or heavy cream
  • Whipped cream and a cherry for garnish (optional)
• Instructions:
  1. Fill a tall glass with ice. Pour the flavored syrup over the ice.
  2. Slowly fill the glass with sparkling water.
  3. Gently pour the splash of half-and-half over the top. Top with whipped cream if desired.

14. Agua de Jamaica (Hibiscus Iced Tea)

A popular Mexican agua fresca made from dried hibiscus flowers. It has a stunning, deep ruby color and a unique tart, cranberry-like flavor./

• Ingredients:
  • 1 cup dried hibiscus flowers
  • 8 cups water
  • 1/2 to 1 cup sugar (to taste)
• Instructions:
  1. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Remove from heat and add the hibiscus flowers, steeping for 20 minutes.
  2. Strain the liquid into a large pitcher, discarding the flowers. Stir in the sugar until it dissolves.
  3. Add the remaining 4 cups of cold water, stir, and chill completely.

15. Classic Root Beer Float

A two-ingredient masterpiece. The simple joy of creamy vanilla ice cream meeting fizzy root beer is a nostalgic treat that never fails./

• Ingredients:
  • Root beer, chilled
  • Vanilla ice cream
• Instructions:
  1. Place 2-3 large scoops of vanilla ice cream into a tall, frosted glass.
  2. Slowly pour the chilled root beer over the ice cream.
  3. Serve immediately with a long spoon and a straw.

16. The Viral Whipped Strawberry Milk

This is the frothy, beautiful, strawberry-flavored cloud that took over the internet. It’s a fun, deconstructed milkshake that’s lighter and airier./

• Ingredients:
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 2 tbsp strawberry syrup or jam
  • Milk for serving
• Instructions:
  1. In a bowl, whip the heavy cream and strawberry syrup with a hand mixer or frother until light and fluffy.
  2. Fill a glass with ice and your choice of milk.
  3. Spoon the whipped strawberry cream generously over the top.

17. Orange Creamsicle Float

This float tastes exactly like the classic orange and cream popsicles from your childhood. It’s a dreamy, creamy, and bubbly treat./

• Ingredients:
  • Orange soda, chilled
  • Vanilla ice cream
• Instructions:
  1. Place 2-3 scoops of vanilla ice cream into a tall glass.
  2. Slowly pour the chilled orange soda over the top.
  3. Watch it foam up and enjoy immediately.

18. The Perfect Iced Coffee

Making delicious iced coffee at home is incredibly easy. The secret is using strong, chilled coffee so it doesn’t get watered down by the ice./

• Ingredients:
  • 1 cup strong brewed coffee, completely chilled
  • Milk or cream, to taste
  • Simple syrup, to taste
• Instructions:
  1. Brew coffee double-strength and let it cool completely in the fridge.
  2. Fill a glass with ice and pour the chilled coffee over it.
  3. Add your desired amount of milk and simple syrup. Stir and enjoy.

19. Horchata (Cinnamon Rice Milk)

A traditional Mexican drink, horchata is a creamy, sweet, and refreshing drink made from rice and flavored with cinnamon./

• Ingredients:
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 4 cups water
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup sugar (or to taste)
• Instructions:
  1. Soak the rice and cinnamon stick in 2 cups of water overnight.
  2. Blend the rice, cinnamon stick, and soaking water until the rice is finely ground.
  3. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a pitcher.
  4. Stir in the remaining 2 cups of water, the milk, and the sugar until dissolved. Chill thoroughly.

20. The Ultimate Hydration Station

Elevate simple water into a beautiful, flavorful, and incredibly refreshing centerpiece for your party. It’s a concept, not just a single drink./

• Ingredients:
  • A large glass beverage dispenser
  • Lots of ice and cold, filtered water
  • Flavor Combos: Spa Water (sliced cucumber, mint), Citrus Burst (sliced oranges, lemons, limes), or Berry Bliss (raspberries, blueberries, sliced strawberries).
• Instructions:
  1. Fill your dispenser with ice.
  2. Add your chosen fruit and herb combination.
  3. Top with cold water and let it infuse for at least 30 minutes before guests arrive.