Summer cocktails aren’t only fun for you–they’re perfect for any parties or events you’re looking forward to this summer. However, with the seemingly endless amount of delicious cocktail recipes out there, many people find themselves stuck on which drinks are the best for their fun summertime celebrations.

If you find yourself in this tricky spot, worry no more. We’ve compiled the ultimate list of the ten best cocktails to enjoy this summer and how to make them for you and your guests. Let’s dive in!

1. Moscow Mule

If you’re planning a summer full of family celebrations, this easy-to-make but tasty drink should be at the top of your menu. All it takes is three simple ingredients: vodka, ginger beer, and lime.

Collect two ounces of vodka, ½ ounces of fresh lime juice, and three ounces of cold ginger beer to make this classic drink. Combine the vodka and the lime juice in a traditional cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake for about 15 seconds. Strain the drink and pour it into a copper mug filled with ice, topping it with ginger beer and a lime garnish. Delicious!

2. Mai Tai

While some Mai Tai recipes differ, this is all the more reason to experiment this summer and find the best recipe for your tastes! There’s nothing quite like a fresh Mai Tai to make you feel like you’re vacationing on a beautiful island.

To make one of our favorite Mai Tai recipes, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• Ice
• 3 fluid ounces of pineapple juice
• 2 fluid ounces of orange juice
• 1.5 fluid ounce of jigger spiced rum
• 1.5 fluid ounce of jigger coconut-flavored rum
• 1 teaspoon of grenadine syrup

Craft the drink by filling your cocktail shaker with ice and adding all ingredients to the shaker. Next, you can shake vigorously for about 15 seconds and strain the drink into a glass of ice–it’s that easy!

3. Red Sangria

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy a sweet cocktail jam-packed with delicious fruit. This recipe uses several ingredients, but once you’ve mastered the sangria, you’ll be happy you went through the effort. To make our favorite red sangria for your summertime holiday parties, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• Two bottles of red Spanish table wine
• 1 cup of brandy
• ½ cup triple sec
• 1 cup of orange juice
• 1 cup of pomegranate juice
• ½ cup of simple syrup (more to taste)
• Orange slices
• Apple slices
• Blackberries
• Pomegranate seeds

Mix all these ingredients together and place in a tightly-sealed pitcher for 24 hours before serving.

4. Coconut Margarita

Beyond the classic Pina Colada (which we’ll get to shortly), why not mix things up this summer with a unique, flavorful coconut margarita?

While it’s more complex than traditional summer drinks, a coconut margarita will surely please guests at a holiday party or family celebration. To make this drink, collect the following:

• 3 ounces of cream of coconut
• 2 ounces of tequila
• 1 ounce of orange liqueur
• 1 ounce of fresh lime juice
• Ice
• Optional garnishes: honey, toasted coconut, and an additional lime slice

Pour the cream of coconut, tequila, orange liqueur, and fresh lime juice into a shaker with ice and mix for 15-30 seconds. Strain the margarita into a glass, garnished with a honey and coconut rim if desired.

5. Paloma

Making a Paloma is relatively easy, meaning you’ll have this recipe down quickly. To make our favorite Paloma recipe, you’ll need 2 ounces of tequila blanco, ½ ounces of fresh lime juice, 2 ounces of grapefruit juice, ½ ounce of simple syrup, and 1 ounce of water.

Add the ingredients to a partially ice-filled glass to make a Paloma. Mix everything until combined. To garnish, consider running a slice of grapefruit around the rim of your glass and dipping the rim into sea salt before you make the drink.

6. Strawberry Daiquiri

Strawberry daiquiris are universally loved for their sweet, delicious, refreshing taste, and there’s no doubt that these drinks are best enjoyed in the summer when you’re looking for a drink to rest from the sun. You’ll need the following:

• 4 ounces of strawberries, frozen
• ½ cup of white sugar
• ½ cup of lemon juice
• ⅛ cup of lime juice
• ¾ cup of rum
• ¼ cup of a lemon-lime flavored carbonated drink
• 6 cups of ice, more as needed

Blend the frozen strawberries. Add the sugar, lemon, and lime juice. Next, pour in the rum and carbonated drink. Add ice and blend until smooth.

7. Tequila Sunrise

A tequila sunrise is perfect for sipping on as you relax surrounded by the people you love. Our favorite tequila sunrise recipe requires the following ingredients:

• 1 ½ ounces of tequila
• ¾ cup of orange juice
• ¾ ounce of grenadine syrup
• Orange slice and maraschino cherry for garnish

Pour the tequila and juice into a glass filled with ice. Mix together, then carefully pour in the grenadine and allow it to settle. Garnish your drink if desired.

8. Pina Colada

If you’re all about coconut-flavored drinks, then a pina colada should be at the top of your list this summer. To make our favorite simple pina colada, gather the following ingredients:

• 6 ounces of white rum
• 6 ounces of cream of coconut
• 6 ounces of pineapple juice
• ½ cup of frozen pineapple chunks
• 4 cups of ice
• Optional: 4 ounces of golden or añejo rum and pineapple leaves or wedges to garnish

Place the ice, white rum, cream of coconut, and pineapple juice and chunks in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour the drink into glasses and top with the additional garnishes if desired.

9. Long Island Iced Tea

Long Island iced teas are perfect for all your parties and fun celebrations. Making a Long Island iced tea requires ¾ ounces of the following liqueurs: vodka, white rum, silver tequila, gin, and triple sec. You will also need ¾ ounces of lemon juice and simple syrup, with cola to top it off.

Add all the ingredients besides the cola to a glass filled with ice to make this drink. Top the drink with cola and stir it together briefly. If desired, you can garnish your tea with a slice of lemon.

10. Frozen Watermelon Margarita

Watermelon is one of the most popular summer fruits, meaning tasty drinks abound. Making a mouth-watering frozen watermelon margarita is the perfect way to say hello to summer. To master this recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups of seedless watermelon, cubed
• 3 tablespoons of fresh lime juice
• 6 ounces of tequila
• 2 ounces of Cointreau liqueur or triple sec
• 1 ½ cups of ice

Place the cubed watermelon on a cookie sheet in the freezer to make this drink. When frozen, place the watermelon and other ingredients into a blender or food processor, pureeing until smooth.

Fill Your Catering Needs With Kpacho

Catering for your summer events with Kpacho is the best way to keep your party lively and guests happy. Whether you’re looking to stop by our restaurants for a delicious meal, ordering takeout, or looking for quality catering, Kpacho has you covered.