These DIY Summer Cocktails Are Perfect For Your Next Party

Summer is finally here, so it’s time to mix up your own cocktail menu. You need a drink that’s cool and refreshing that will not only help you beat the heat, but transport you to somewhere tropical. Here are a few DIY summer cocktails and recipes that shake up the classics, utilize seasonal ingredients and are perfect for summer!

Dirty Peach Arnold Palmer

Arnold Palmer says the drink was named after him because he was in the habit of drinking iced tea with lemonade at home, and at the U.S. Open he ordered the drink at a bar. Someone overheard him and ordered “the Palmer drink,” and the rest is history. This is a fun twist on the classic, with an added punch.

What you’ll need:

1 bottle of lemonade

1 bottle of sweet tea (or you can make your own)

peach vodka

1 lemon, sliced, to garnish

Strawberry Rosé Punch

This pink drink is perfect for a celebration or a day by the pool. If you don’t love rosé, try using champagne or Prosecco instead for a sparkly version of this fun, pink drink! It’s delicious, super easy to make and everyone always loves it.

What you’ll need:

Rosé (as much as you want, I’m not judging)

1 bag of frozen strawberries, to thaw and blend with simple syrup

simple syrup

1 bottle of lemon-lime soda

Pineapple Rum Punch

Pineapple is one of those fruits that instantly reminds me it’s summer. Bring the beach to you with this cocktail that will instantly set you and your friends on island time. You can also make this a great virgin drink by skipping the alcohol and adding lemon-lime soda instead!

What you’ll need:

4 cups of pineapple juice

½ cup rum

1 bottle of prosecco or champagne

Honey Gin Punch

This is the most complicated recipe on the list, which is saying something since it’s still pretty easy! But if you’re in the mood for a more sophisticated cocktail, this is the one for you. You’ll want to combine the honey with 2 cups of water in a sauce pan over medium heat to make sure the sugar is fully dissolved. Let it cool before you add it to the other ingredients. Then combine all the ingredients except for the sparkling water together and put them in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, just throw in the sparkling water.

What you’ll need:

1-2 cups of honey

2 cups of water

4 cups of gin

4 cups of grapefruit juice

2 cups of lemonade

1 bottle of sparkling water

several lemons, limes or grapefruit slices for garnish.

Cucumber Refresher

I’ve named this recipe the Cucumber Refresher because it’s so refreshing it’s almost dangerous. You’ll forget that it even has alcohol in it. For this recipe, you’ll have to muddle cucumber slices and mix that with a little bit of lemon juice and simple syrup. Then add your gin and club soda.

What you’ll need:

1 cucumber

1 lemon or just a splash of lemon juice

simple syrup, as much as you want

2 ounces of gin

club soda

mint to garnish

Watermelon Mojito

Nothing says summer like watermelon, so why not incorporate it into your drink? For this recipe, you’ll need 6 cups of cubed watermelon. Blend the watermelon until pureed. You can strain the puree to remove the pulp if you prefer. Then add the rest of the ingredients.

What you’ll need:

6 cups cubed watermelon

simple syrup

mint

1 cup of fresh lime juice

1 cup white rum

club soda

Strawberry Basil Moscow Mule

This is a fresh twist on the traditional, sophisticated mule. A Moscow Mule is usually made with vodka, ginger beer and lime juice. Adding strawberry and basil gives it a little extra sweetness.

What you’ll need:

4-5 strawberries

3-5 chopped basil leaves

1-3 ounces of vodka

1 lime

ginger beer

featured image source: tidymom.net

Which one of these DIY summer cocktails are you excited to try?! Let us know how it goes down below!