The temperatures are up, so it's the perfect time to try out some new summer cocktail recipes. When the weather gets hot, we're looking for lighter and brighter drinks [1] that are full of fruity flavours [2], fizz, and maybe even a little bit of spicy heat to mix things up. Whether you're a drinks aficionado already or you're still figuring out your faves, the good news is there's always room to try new things. And that's where our summer cocktail challenge comes in! We've put together a summer bucket list of new and delicious cocktails to try when you're up for something new, with brand-new ideas alongside new twists on old favourites [3]. We rounded up 31 drink recipes, so you can make your own timeline for how you want to get through them all (e.g. having two every week or sampling multiple with friends during a backyard get-together). Keep reading to see our picks for the season, and see how many of them you check off the list!
Basil Smash Piña Colada
It's all the tropical goodness of your favourite piña colada, but with a delicious herbal twist. The creamy cocktail brings together citrus and coconut flavours with just the right amount of refreshing basil to make it unique.
Get the recipe: basil smash piña colada [5]
Blackberry Champagne Mule
Berries are one of the best parts of summer food, and this cocktail embraces the sweet, tangy blackberry as its main flavour. Touches of mint and lime, plus champagne and vodka, make for a light and bright cocktail perfect for summer days.
Get the recipe: blackberry champagne mule [6]
Frosé Strawberry Daiquiri
Nothing says summer like a frozen cocktail! So get going on this delicious, fruity drink that's packed with sweet berries and infused with rosé.
Get the recipe: frosé strawberry daiquiri [7]
Strawberry Watermelon Mimosa With Basil Lemonade
This cocktail blends some of the most popular flavours from the warmer months of the year: lemonade, berries, and watermelon. It's a new twist on the ever-popular mimosa formula, and it's definitely one to remember! Plus, the nonalcoholic lemonade component makes a delicious and slightly different drink all on its own.
Get the recipe: strawberry watermelon mimosa with basil lemonade [8]
Pink Vodka Watermelon Lemonade
It's the summery, grown-up version of lemonade, and you can't miss it. Watermelon lemonade mixes with vodka and a lemon thyme herb syrup for a multidimensional drink that's totally refreshing!
Get the recipe: pink vodka watermelon lemonade [9]
Mango Mimosa
We all love a good mimosa, but have you ever tried switching up the fruit flavours? Instead of an orange juice base, this fresh and tropical cocktail features bright, tangy mango.
Get the recipe: mango mimosa [10]
Sea Breeze
It's the light summer drink of your dreams. You've got an easy vodka cranberry, but with the addition of some perfectly tart grapefruit to give it a bright citrusy twist.
Get the recipe: sea breeze [11]
Hermione Granger Cocktail
It may be named after a Harry Potter [12] character, but it's definitely not as dark and chilling as a mysterious castle. Instead, it's a fizzy, sparkling treat packed with herbs and fresh raspberry flavour — magical indeed!
Get the recipe: Hermione Granger cocktail [13]
Ambrosia Spiced Rum Cocktail
You've probably had ambrosia salad at a family get-together at some point, right? This fruity, creamy drink takes it to the next level in a cocktail packed with tropical flavours and delicious spiced rum.
Get the recipe: ambrosia spiced rum cocktail [14]
Blackberry Paloma
The popular paloma cocktail gets a summer berry twist in this recipe. Lime and grapefruit support the sweet blackberries and add tang, all with a splash of tequila.
Get the recipe: blackberry paloma [15]
Blood Orange Margarita
Say goodbye to the traditional margarita! This blood orange margarita will be your new favourite — plus, it looks as good as it tastes!
Get the recipe: blood orange margarita [16]
Blueberry Lemon Thyme Smash
Blueberry and lemon is one of the most delicious fruit combinations out there. It's the backbone of this yummy cocktail, which also includes thyme, bourbon, and sparkling water for a bubbly finish.
Get the recipe: blueberry lemon thyme smash [17]
Skinny Mango Cocktail Vodka Drink
Looking for something on the lighter side? This simple cocktail gets its sweetness (and tartness) from fresh citrus juice and mango puree, which are mixed with vodka and sparkling water.
Get the recipe: skinny mango cocktail vodka drink [18]
Cranberry Blood Orange Nonalcoholic Sangria
Not all summer cocktails have to be alcoholic. This sangria packs tons of flavour from the blood orange and cranberry, without any alcohol.
Get the recipe: cranberry blood orange nonalcoholic sangria [19]
Strawberry Champagne
Maybe you've seen premade strawberry champagne, but that's a lot sweeter (and often more artificial) than this simple cocktail. Instead, this fizzy, bubbly drink has all the lightness of champagne, plus pretty pink strawberry puree.
Get the recipe: strawberry champagne [20]
Strawberry Margarita
Nothing's prettier than this fruity, fresh strawberry margarita. Grab a glass and let the summer feelings just wash over you.
Get the recipe: strawberry margarita [21]
Watermelon Rosé Paloma
Maybe you haven't thought about watermelon, tequila, and rosé all together before, but you definitely will after you try this. The cocktail is finished off with a lime-chili salt rim for an extra kick.
Get the recipe: watermelon rosé paloma [22]
Campari Sangria
Campari, a spicy, fruity Italian drink, combines with rosé and fresh fruit to make a refreshing pitcher of beautiful pink drinks for the perfect summer afternoon.
Get the recipe: Campari sangria [23]
Creamy Coconut Lime Mojito
No list of summer cocktails would be complete without a mojito! This recipe blends together the creamy goodness of coconut with tart lime and, of course, rum.
Get the recipe: creamy coconut lime mojito [24]
St. Germain Margarita
If you haven't ventured into the world of elderflower cocktails, now is the perfect time to expand your horizons. It's a simple, three-ingredient margarita that's easy to make and delicious to drink.
Get the recipe: St. Germain margarita [25]
Bee's Knees
Celebrate the '20s with this Jazz Age cocktail! As you might guess from the name, it's sweetened with honey, along with gin and lemon for a light and fun speakeasy feel.
Get the recipe: bee's knees [26]
Fiery Golden Mango Tonic
Not only is this warm and summery cocktail tasty, it's got some good-for-you stuff too! Along with the mango and vodka, there's turmeric, ginger, and chamomile tea. You can even leave out the vodka for a healthy, nonalcoholic drink.
Get the recipe: fiery golden mango tonic [27]
Jalapeño Margarita
Punch up your average margarita with this spicy twist on the classic beverage. Jalapeño peppers are the secret ingredient to add an extra kick.
Get the recipe: jalapeño margarita [28]
Orange Hibiscus Mai Tai
Hibiscus tea is the foundation for this drink, along with two kinds of fruit juice and some run. It's perfectly pretty and just the right level of sweet.
Get the recipe: orange hibiscus mai tai [29]
Spicy Cucumber Margarita
Who'd have thought to put cucumber in a margarita? It gives just an extra bit of freshness to this citrusy, spicy summer drink that takes it to the next level.
Get the recipe: spicy cucumber margarita [30]
Balsamic Peach Spritz
The peach spritz is a summer staple, and we're all for finding new combinations to put together. The balsamic vinegar in this one adds a different kind of edge to the sweet peach drink, and we're officially obsessed.
Get the recipe: balsamic peach spritz [31]
Elderflower Aperol Spritz
A little bit of bitter, a little bit of sweet, and plenty of fizz: that's what you're getting when you make this refreshing, bright cocktail based around the lightly herby Aperol.
Get the recipe: elderflower Aperol spritz [32]
Peach Margarita
We usually think of margaritas with tropical or citrus fruits. This one shakes things up a bit, focusing on the sweetness of peaches with just a little dash of lime.
Get the recipe: peach margarita [33]
Peach Wine Slushy
Frozen drinks are a must have during summer! We love this slushy, made with sweet peach and white wine — and that's it!
Get the recipe: peach wine slushy [34]
Honeysuckle Watermelon Cocktail
Watermelon is a classic, but have you ever blended it with honeysuckle before? This refreshing cocktail uses honeysuckle vodka to evoke the sweet floral nectar.
Get the recipe: honeysuckle watermelon cocktail [35]
Watermelon Mint Frosé
Rosé, watermelon, and mint, all blended together in an easy frozen drink. It tastes like summer from the very first sip!
Get the recipe: watermelon mint frosé [36]