Good summertime gatherings are only made better with mojitos, pitchers of sangria, and margaritas—but their mocktail versions are just as delicious and ensure everyone can enjoy! Let’s dive into classic summer cocktails and how you can make both versions for all party guests.
1. Strawberry Daiquiri
Where would summer be without the traditional daiquiri? With nothing more than ice, fresh strawberries, and a splash of lime juice, simple syrup, and rum, your blender brings this sweet drink to life so you can sip away in the sun.
2. Tequila Sunrise
Orange juice, tequila, and grenadine bring a summer’s sunrise right to your glass. These three little ingredients blend into a gorgeous canvas of orange and pink, all topped with an orange slice and maraschino cherry.
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3. Aperol Spritz
This classic Italian cocktail is simple but refreshing, and you don’t need more than a few ingredients to make it. Prosecco, sparkling water, and Aperol are all garnished with an orange slice. Don’t forget to toss in a couple of ice cubes as well!
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4. Mai Tai
The Mai Tai certainly packs more of a punch than other cocktails on this list, but those up for the challenge are treated to a beautiful orange drink garnished with lime wheels, mint sprigs, or maraschino cherries. Just make sure you have plenty of rum on hand because you’ll need several kinds of it.
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5. Sangria
Nothing says summer like sangria—whether white or red, it’s easy (and fun!) to experiment with which alcohol, fruit, and juice make the perfect recipe for you. It might seem a little overwhelming at first, but you can start with apples, raspberries, oranges, brandy, wine, and orange juice.
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6. Piña Colada
Do you like Piña Coladas? How about getting caught in the rain? Well, we can only help you with the first one! A handful of ingredients is all it takes to slurp down this creamy, tropical cocktail—pineapple juice and chunks, rum, cream of coconut, and a bit of ice.
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7. Raspberry Margarita
Margaritas are easy to make, versatile, and a perfect summer staple. However, we can’t help but reach for the raspberry version! Toss tequila, Cointreau, fresh raspberries, and a splash of lime juice into a blender for a refreshing cocktail you can put together in a few minutes. (Don’t forget the coarse sea salt and lime wedge for the rim.)
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8. Long Island Iced Tea
Long Island iced tea has all the components of a perfect summer’s day—classic iced tea, which is refreshing enough, but packed with enough tequila, vodka, and rum to really get the party going. You can also add in some fresh lemon juice!
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9. Mojito
You can always order a mojito at the bar, but there’s just something better about having it in the summer. Maybe it’s the lime juice, maybe it’s the fresh mint sprigs, or maybe it’s all that delicious white rum. Whatever it is, this classic cocktail needs to be made at least once.
10. Salty Dog
Though this sounds like a pirate’s drink, the salty dog is actually nothing more than gin and a touch of grapefruit juice. But don’t let its simplicity turn you away! You can always salt the rim and garnish with a fresh slice of grapefruit, too, adding to its summertime charm.
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If alcohol isn’t your thing, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy refreshing beverages! Let’s dive into the mocktail versions of these classics, so everyone can enjoy.
1. Strawberry Daiquiri Mocktail
Good rum is what makes a traditional strawberry daiquiri, but swapping it for a splash of Sprite retains all that berry goodness without any of the liquor. Not only that but the carbonation pairs well with this mocktail, as does the lemon-lime taste alongside the strawberry.
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2. Sunrise Mocktail
Thank goodness for non-alcoholic wine because that’s exactly what you’ll need to make a friendlier version of the tequila sunrise. If you don’t want to stray too far from the classic taste, however, you can also hunt for alcohol-free tequila—and you don’t need to swap out any other ingredients!
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3. Aperol Spritz Mocktail
You’d think an Aperol spritz mocktail is impossible, but you can still brew something just as good (and very close to the real thing). Non-alcoholic spritzes and Proseccos exist, allowing you to capture the perfect mocktail. If you’d like to keep it simple, you can also swap in bitters and tonic water!
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4. Mai Tai Mocktail
Original Mai Tais may need heaps of rum, but mocktails don’t need anything but pineapple, lime, and orange juice to shine. You can still garnish with orange or lime slices, and fresh mint sprigs tie this mocktail together the same way they do for the original.
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5. Sangria Mocktail
No one should have to miss out on this blend of fresh fruit and juice—and the sangria mocktail ensures you don’t have to! Sparkling water and alcohol-free wine capture the beloved taste without any of the empty calories.
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6. Piña Colada Mocktail
Non-alcoholic rum gives you the closest taste to the original, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only way option. Keep it simple with coconut cream instead! You can also add a splash of fresh lime juice for a tangy twist, but even without it, you’ll still have a perfect mocktail filled with tropical flavors.
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7. Margarita Mocktail
Margaritas are nice and versatile, meaning you have lots of available options. For a raspberry mocktail specifically, all you have to do is swap in some lime and orange juice instead! Blended with fresh raspberries, you’ll still be able to enjoy the classic taste.
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8. Long Island Iced Tea Mocktail
There’s nothing wrong with a refreshing glass of iced tea—not only does it bypass all the alcohol, but it also captures the taste of summer! However, you can also toss in some ginger beer (which is indeed non-alcoholic) for added flavor to this mocktail.
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9. Mojito Mocktail
You don’t need rum to enjoy all that mint and lime of a traditional mojito. Instead, you can easily add a touch of granulated sugar and club soda alongside the classic ingredients. You’ll get a flavor reminiscent of the original and won’t have to worry about any pesky alcohol.
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10. Salty Dog Mocktail
Okay, so a salty dog mocktail is just a glass of grapefruit juice? Not exactly! Club soda, non-alcoholic gin, or alcohol-free vodka can be used instead of regular alcohol, any of which will nail down the classic taste.
