This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Beat the summer heat with any of these delicious summer drinks! These refreshing drinks are perfect for serving at BBQs and parties!
More Collections: Summer Salad Recipes, Summer Desserts, Summer Recipes
Refreshing Drinks to Love!
As soon as the weather starts warming up here in Arizona, I immediately start craving refreshing drinks to sip on.
Sometimes I just want something cold and fruity to cool me off in the summer heat, and other times I get a hankering for a breakfast smoothie in place of a meal.
Why we love these summer drinks:
- Party perfect. These drinks are both fun and flavorful, perfect for summer celebrations and family gatherings.
- Fun for all. Every recipe is kid-friendly and perfect for sharing with the entire crew!
- Practical tips. I’ve included tips on transporting, keeping drinks cold, and making your drinks fun and fabulous when hosting summer gatherings!
Serving Summer Drinks
- Decorations. Create alcohol-free summer cocktail recipes with fun straws and paper umbrellas.
- Sugared rims. Use cool drink cups like mason jars, or garnish the glasses with a rim of sugar.
- Use a bowl of lemon or lime juice and a bowl of sugar. Dip the rim of the glass in the juice, then into the sugar. Let dry.
- Carbonation. Add ginger ale or soda water to the mixture. Do not mix up carbonated drinks too soon.
- Cream. Add a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream.
- Citrus. Add a spritz of lemon juice or fresh lime juice with the wedge on the rim of the cup.
- Herbs. Garnish with herbs like fresh basil or fresh mint.
- Fruit. Use fresh-cut fruit, berries, or even sliced cucumber in the beverage dispenser.
Summer Fruits
Fruit can be added to the beverage dispenser for looks and a bit of added sweetness and flavor, or to garnish the individual cups.
- wedge of coconut, pineapple, cantaloupe or honeydew
- raspberries, strawberries, blueberries
- maraschino cherries
- sliced oranges, lemon, lime, grapefruit
- melon wedges or balls
- add a twist with cranberry juice, pineapple juice, coconut water, or grapefruit juice
Keep Drinks Cold
- Transporting. Do not use punch bowls and pitchers as many don’t have secure lids and may spill.
- Save empty water jugs to fill with punch or fill large insulated beverage coolers with the punch. Once you’re ready to serve the punch, pour it into serving pitchers and bowls.
- To keep them cool outside, here are some suggestions:
- Ice cubes. Make extra juice and freeze it into ice cubes or ice blocks. The melting ice will not dilute the punch.
- Frozen fruit. Instead of adding ice cubes, use frozen fruit.
- Chill extra punch in the fridge or a cooler. Fill the beverage dispenser as needed.
our go-to Summer Drink Recipes
Blend up a fresh smoothie recipe or a refreshing summer drink with our favorites to enjoy on a hot summer day!
Set out a Beverage Station and enjoy a summer picnic or BBQ!
1 Pineapple Pink Lemonade Soda Recipe
2 Homemade Lemonade Recipe
3 Sonic Cherry Limeade Recipe
4 Orange Julius Recipe
5 Homemade Root Beer
6 Butterbeer Recipe
7 Horchata Recipe
8 Shirley Temple Recipe
9 Ocean Water Recipe
10 Watermelon Juice Recipe
More Refreshing Drinks + Smoothies
I love virgin piña coladas, but I have even more tasty drink options to choose from! Kick of summer with something cool and refreshing with even more of our favorites.
11 Tropical Smoothie Recipe
12 4th of July Punch Recipe
13 Slushy Punch Recipe
14 Non Alcoholic Mint Julep
15 Pineapple Banana Smoothie Recipe
16 Fruit Smoothie Recipe
17 Strawberry Blueberry Smoothie Recipe
18 Frozen Strawberry Lemonade Recipe
19 Best Strawberry Lemonade
20 Strawberry Banana Smoothie Recipe
21 Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie Recipe
Recipe Video
Get the recipe22 Peach Smoothie Recipe
23 Strawberry Cheesecake Smoothie Recipe
24 Peach Mango Smoothie Recipe
25 Orange Juice Smoothie Recipe
26 Watermelon Smoothie Recipe
27 Kool Aid Ice Recipe
A Summer Classic!
What screams summer more than a glass of fresh Homemade Lemonade?
This refreshing drink is made with a simple syrup for the perfect sweet-to-tart ratio. It is perfect for warm summer days or any day!
Here is the recipe:
25+ Summer Drinks
Ingredients
- 1½ cups sugar
- 8 cups water, divided
- 1½ cups freshly squeezed lemon juice, from about 8 lemons
Instructions
- Soak lemons in hot water for 10 minutes to get the most juice from your lemon.
- Make the syrup while the lemons are soaking: Combine 1 cup water and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Stir until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. Once the syrup has cooled to room temperature, cover, it and place it in the refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes.
- Gently remove lemons from hot water. Let cool until ready to handle. Firmly roll each lemon on the countertop a few times. Cut lemons in half and juice them. Keep the pulp to use, but remove all seeds. Set Juice aside until syrup is cool.
- Combine chilled syrup, lemon juice, and the remaining 7 cups water in a pitcher. Stir lemonade well, and serve over ice.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Enjoy these Refreshing Summer Drinks!
Whether you’re looking for the perfect drink to serve at a summer BBQ, a pool party, or just to enjoy as a special treat – you’re sure to find several drink recipes you’ll want to try!
More Collections: Summer Appetizers, Summer Side Dishes, Summer Crockpot Recipes
Love the colours throughout the drinks. Will make sure too try each and everyone of them….
I love all of these drinks. Cant wait to make them all.
I was the cook for my church’s girls camp and brought up the strawberry lemonade for the special Friday night dinner. Big hit!
Love so many of these!! We make your pink pineapple drink ALL the time!! It’s our absolute favorite!! I’ll be making your pina colada drink this week!
Such a great place to serve up the best drinks! A drink for every occasion. Love it!