Having a party, BBQ or special event? Then you need to check out these summer cocktails. We have created a list of fruity recipes, creative ways to serve your drinks and more. Each idea will wow your guests and keep the crowds thirst quenched. Take a look to get inspired so you can create the best event of the summer.
1. COCKTAILS ON TAP
A great way to easily serve drinks to a lot of people is with these funky drink dispensers. You can have a few available so there is a choice of cocktail for your guests. Each person can serve themselves a delicious drink. You can create cheap batches of cocktails to keep the taps filled.
Source: @bake_and_bloom_writtle
2. SUMMER COCKTAILS PITCHER
If you want a simple way to serve drinks that looks great consider a fruity pitcher. A jug like this can be bought anywhere and all you have do is add your favourite cocktail and some fruit. This is a cheap and easy way to give all you guests refreshing cocktails.
Source: @theindustryconsultants
3. COCKTAIL PUNCH
A brilliant drink to serve your guests is fruity punch. You can create your favourite summer cocktails in big batches and pour into bowls so guests can serve themselves. Make your punch extra special with fruit and edible flowers like this. You can even have pretty cups around the bowl.
Source: @_social_t
4. WATERMELON FISHBOWL
Give any party a tropical vibe with watermelon cocktails. The great thing about watermelons is that they taste great and can also be used a glass! Serve your cocktail in a watermelon to create a fishbowl drink that can be shared… or not. This is a fun drinks idea perfect for summer.
Source: @santorinibygeorgios
5. CLASSY MARGARITA
If you want to add a touch of glamour to your party why not serve classy margaritas like this one. The glass, decoration and fruit make it look cool and trendy. To make this cocktail you will need: 2 oz Tequila, 1 oz Lime juice and 1 oz Cointreau. Just shake it all up, serve and you’re good to go. This classic is perfect for summer.
Source: @smithandwhistle
6. MASON JAR COCKTAIL
If you are having a garden party or BBQ try serving your cocktails in a mason jar. Jars will give your drinks a rustic vibe which is perfect for the outdoors. You could serve any cocktail in these. This idea is cheap and simple but looks great. You could buy many of these for a lot of guests or you could recycle some. Have drinks on tap in dispensers so guests will have a full cocktail jar all night long.
Source: @wineglasswriter
7. PINEAPPLE COCKTAILS
Another funky way to serve drinks to guests is by using pineapples! You can use the inside of the pineapple to make fruity cocktails and serve the drink in the rest of the pineapple. It is an easy and decorative idea. You could pre-make many cocktails and put them on a tray like this.
Source: @timosii21
8. COCKTAIL ICE LOLLIES
Cocktails are great for a summers day, but we have found a way to make your fruity drinks even better. Make them into ice lollies! These will be refreshing and can be made with any cocktail. You could make loads of ice lollies to serve a lot of people. We love this idea, it is a fun way serve summery drinks.
Source: @socialandcocktail
9. BOOZY BOTTLED PUNCH
Next, we have a tropical punch that is easy to make and that every guest will love. Recipes for this vary so you can add in your own ingredients for your own creation. To create summer cocktails like these you will need 1/2 small pineapple, 1 apple, 2 passion fruits , 1/2 cup dark rum, 750 ml apple juice, 1 liter of apple and mango juice and 1/4 a cup of lime juice. The rum can be taken out for a non-alcoholic drink. Serve in a bowl, jars, glasses or pineapples.
Source: @dan_manera
10. BUCKET COCKTAIL
Our next pick is perfect for summer parties! This cocktail is served in a bucket with smaller shot glasses. There are a couple of ways you could serve bucket cocktails to many guests. You could give guests a bucket with straws for a fishbowl or you could have a bucket on each table with shot glasses they can fill themselves like unique punch bowl. We love this!
Source: @finlandia_vodka
11. COCKTAILS ON A TRAY
If you want to make some cocktails in advance you could create cocktails on a tray like this. There are mixed glasses with different drinks. You could have a few of these out so when guests arrive or throughout the event they can just grab their favourite cocktail off the tray.
Source: @shoryu_ramen
12. TROPICAL RUM PUNCH
Next on our list is another tropical recipe that will be a hit with all your guests. To make rum punch you will need: 2 cups of pineapple juice, 2 cups of orange juice, ¼ cup of triple sec, 2 cups of rum and ¼ a cup of grenadine. It is easy to make just mix all the ingredients in a pitcher and serve. This is great if you want simple drinks that can be made quickly.
Source: @letsboz
13. MARGARITA PITCHER
Pitchers are brilliant ways to serve drinks. As each guest can fill up their glass when they like. You can have a simple jug or go for something jazzy like this. This margarita pitcher features a funky design and has matching glasses. To make pink margaritas like these use the classic ingredients with added grenadine.
Source: @thehourshop
14. TEAPOT SUMMER COCKTAILS
A new trend that has become popular in bars and house parties is teapot cocktails. This idea is simple, just add your favourite cocktail to a super cute teapot and serve in teacups. Something like this would be amazing at a party. You could have different teapots with different cocktails inside. Teapots are also an easy for a lot of guests to be able to serve themselves.
Source: @ninosmandurah
15. TROPICAL FLORAL PUNCH
Here is another beautiful punch bowl idea. This tropical blue cocktail is finished off with edible flowers and ice. A blue Hawaiian would look perfect in a bowl like this. To make Blue Hawaiians you will need: 1 cup of pineapple juice, ½ cup of blue curacao, ½ cup of rum, ½ cup of cream of coconut and 4 cups of ice. Edible flowers are available to purchase online.
Source: @emily_
16. SIMPLE SUMMER PITCHER
If the tropical colors, flavors and decorations are not your thing, then try a simple cocktail pitcher like this one. It is a simple glass pitcher with matching glasses and the cocktail is light in color. This creates a classy and sophisticated vibe. You could make prosecco cocktails or maybe grapefruit and rosemary fizzes to re-create this look. You can check out those recipes on our fruity summer cocktails post.
Source: @jazzskye
17. COCKTAIL TO SHARE
Creating cocktails to share is a great idea if you are expecting a lot of guests. Just fill up a big bowl, jar or pitcher and add a few straws. Have these available on every table and your guests will always have a drink on hand. Just make sure you keep the pitcher full!
Source: @woda_ognista
18. WHITE WINE SUMMER COCKTAILS
White wine cocktails are perfect for a summer party. These are refreshing, cheap and easy to make. To make cocktails like these you will need: 1 bottle of white wine, 3 oranges for juice, the juice of 1 lemon and chopped fruits. Apples, strawberries and watermelon would be a great choice.
Source: @susanitascakes
19. FRUITY COCKTAIL PITCHER
Our next pick would look amazing at any party. The pink cocktail and lemons in a pitcher just look perfect for summer. To make a cocktail like this try and make vodka strawberry lemonade. You will need: 1 lb strawberries, 1 cup sugar, 3 cups water, 1 cup vodka and 3/4 cup lemon juice. Just juice your strawberries and mix in the rest of the ingredients and you’re good to go.
Source: @thewinsto
20. CRAZY STRAW FISHBOWLS
Here is another awesome fishbowl idea perfect for parties. Just add fruity cocktails to bowls and add some funky straws. These are a fun and quirky way to serve cocktails. You could make non-alcoholics ones for kids and the non-drinkers.
Source: @sinkswimchicago
21. MINT ICE TEA MOJITO
Next, we have a refreshing iced tea cocktail that would be perfect for a summer BBQ or party. To make it you will need: 1 bottle of white rum, 7 TBS Marrakesh Mint Tea, 3½ TBS Mango Habanero Sugar, 4 TBS agave nectar, 64 oz lemonade or limeade, 1qt plain seltzer water and 10-12 fresh mint sprigs. Serve in jars for a rustic summery drink.
Source: @spiceandtea
22. MULTI PITCHERS
If you are expecting many guests consider having lots of pitchers on display like this. You can have different cocktails in each and your guests can just pick their own drinks and serve themselves. This is both a great decoration and a way to keep your guests glasses full.
Source: @empire_casino
23. DECORATED PINEAPPLE DRINK
Last on our list is another way to serve pineapple drinks. This is a cute cocktail that is decorated with a flower, umbrella and fruit. Simple touches like this will wow everyone and will make everyone want to try your cocktail creations. You could serve any cocktail like this.
Source: @lacqrdsalonondemand
We hope you have been inspired to create and serve your own unique summer cocktails.
