Summer entertaining starts with the drinks, and this post covers everything from frozen margaritas and Jello shots to ice-cold mocktails and indulgent floats. With over 100 recipes to choose from, the hardest part is deciding which one to make first.
Pink Starburst Cocktail
Real pink Starburst candies dissolve directly into the alcohol, then get mixed with strawberry-kiwi juice, orange juice, and lemon-lime soda. It makes a fizzy Pink Starburst Cocktail that tastes exactly like everyone’s favorite pink candy.
Rum Pineapple Cocktail
Sweetened with pineapple juice and brightened with fresh lime, this tropical, fizzy Rum Pineapple Cocktail is a perfect sunny afternoon refresher.
Fruit Tingle Cocktail
Vodka and blue curaçao are layered with lemonade and a drizzle of raspberry cordial that creates a gorgeous layered effect, making this light, citrusy Fruit Tingle Cocktail as stunning to look at as it is to drink.
Screwdriver Cocktail
Two ingredients are all it takes – quality vodka and fresh-squeezed orange juice – to make this classic, smooth, and citrusy Screwdriver Cocktail.
Cotton Candy Cocktail
My Cotton Candy Cocktail is made with vanilla vodka, strawberry simple syrup, lemon juice, and sparkling water, all shaken together and topped with a cloud of fluffy pink cotton candy.
Fireball And Cream Soda
Two ingredients are all it takes to make this fiery, smooth cocktail. Fireball cinnamon whisky and sweet cream soda are poured over ice for a Fireball and Cream Soda that is bold, easy, and dangerously drinkable.
Espresso Martini
Rich, creamy, and impossibly smooth, this Espresso Martini shakes together bold espresso, Kahlua, vodka, and simple syrup into the perfect after-dinner cocktail.
Vodka Sour
Shaken until frothy and topped with silky foam, this bright, citrusy Vodka Sour feels like elegance in every sip.
Fish Bowl Drink
Served in a large goblet packed with ice and gummy fish candy, this showstopping, shareable Fish Bowl Drink delivers vivid tropical flavor that makes it the life of any party.
Tipsy Mermaid
With dreamy layered colors and a sweet, fruity tropical flavor, the Tipsy Mermaid is as beautiful in the glass as it is refreshing to drink.
Rainbow Drink
One of the most eye-catching cocktails on any summer table, my Rainbow Drink is a tropical, three-color layered cocktail that is just as fun to sip as it is to admire.
Malibu Cocktail
Malibu coconut rum, pineapple juice, and cranberry juice are poured in beautiful layers for a tropical, vibrantly colored Malibu Cocktail that captures a beachside vibe in every sip.
Mango Mojito
Mango juice, frozen mango chunks, fresh mint, gin, and simple syrup come together in this tropical twist on the classic mojito, making this Mango Mojito fruity, refreshing, and perfect for a hot summer day.
Peach Schnapps Cocktail
Orange juice, peach schnapps, and silver rum are layered in a glass and finished with a slow pour of cranberry that creates a stunning orange-to-red gradient, making this sweet, summery Peach Schnapps Cocktail gorgeous on any party table.
Pink Flamingo Drink
A sweet, vibrantly pink cocktail served in a martini glass, the Pink Flamingo Drink is as fun to serve as it is to sip.
Blue Ocean Drink Recipe
One of my favorite summer cocktails, the Blue Ocean Drink is a gorgeous, tropical pour finished with a splash of Sprite that creates a stunning foamy wave right across the top.
Malibu Bay Breeze
With stunning (and easy to make) layers and a sweet, slightly tart finish, the Malibu Bay Breeze feels like a mini vacation in every sip.
Paralyzer Drink
Coffee, cream, and Coke come together in the most unexpectedly delicious way in this Paralyzer Drink. Rich, smooth, and lightly sweet, it disappears faster than expected.
Strawberry Lemonade Cocktail
This frozen Strawberry Lemonade Cocktail is as refreshing as a summer drink should be. Bright, tangy, and ice cold, it blends vodka with strawberry lemonade into a slushy, refreshing treat.
Campfire Cocktail
Fireball and rum might sound like an unlikely blend, but my Campfire Cocktail brings them together beautifully, along with cherry juice, peach, and pineapple. It’s a unique, warmly spiced, tropical layered drink.
Alcoholic Frozen Lemonade
Tart, frosty, and seriously refreshing, Alcoholic Frozen Lemonade uses vodka and lemon sorbet to make an intensely lemony frozen cocktail in just 2 minutes.
Peach Margaritas
Few things say summer like a frozen peach margarita. This blended Peach Margarita is sweet, frosty, and packed with real peach flavor. Once you make it, it’s going to become a summer staple.
Texas Tea Recipe
Texas Tea is a classic. It’s bold, citrusy, and not for the faint of heart, but for a summer party, it is absolutely the right call.
Dirty Shirley Drink
All it takes is a splash of vodka to turn a childhood classic into the perfect pool party cocktail. My Dirty Shirley Drink is everything you love about an original Shirley Temple and adds just enough grown-up fun to make it party-ready.
Disaronno Sour
The nutty sweetness of Disaronno amaretto paired with bourbon and fresh citrus – a Disaronno Sour is truly a beautifully balanced cocktail. It’s sweet, tart, and smooth all at once.
Dark And Stormy Cocktail
Dark rum, icy ginger beer, and a squeeze of fresh lime make a Dark and Stormy Cocktail satisfying to drink on a warm evening. It’s a bold drink that’s ready in minutes.
Limoncello Spritz
Light, bubbly, and sunshine-bright, sipping on a Limoncello Spritz is like a sunny afternoon in a glass. Limoncello and prosecco make it feel effortlessly elegant without any of the effort.
Prickly Pear Margarita
The gorgeous pink-purple color alone is enough reason to try this drink, but the Prickly Pear Margarita also delivers a sweet, tart flavor that is completely unlike any margarita you have had before.
Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cocktail
RumChata and Fireball in a cinnamon-sugar-rimmed mug topped with whipped cream and crushed cereal make the Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cocktail the perfect cozy drink for a night around the campfire.
Creamsicle Drink
Nostalgia never tasted so good. My Creamsicle Drink blends orange sherbet, ice cream, and vodka into a frothy cocktail that tastes like a real creamsicle (but maybe even better).
Dirty Dr Pepper
Coconut cream and fresh lime turn a classic Dr Pepper into something unexpectedly creamy and tropical. The Dirty Dr Pepper is refreshing, easy to make, and completely addictive.
Tequila Sour
The Tequila Sour is a vintage classic for good reason. Frothy and bright with fresh citrus, it’s bold, smooth, and far easier to make at home than it looks.
Lemon Lime Bitters
Light, bright, and perfectly balanced, Lemon Lime Bitters is a simple, citrusy drink that satisfies every single time.
Sex On The Beach Drink
A sweet, fruity classic that has earned its place on bar menus for decades, Sex On The Beach is vibrantly colorful, easy to love, and even easier to make at home.
Cocktail with Watermelon Juice
Fresh watermelon and vodka are a summer combination that just makes sense. This Watermelon Cocktail is cooling, naturally sweet, and easy to make ahead in a big batch for a crowd.
Strawberry Mojito
Muddled fresh strawberries and mint make this Strawberry Mojito one of the most vibrant, refreshing cocktails of the season. White rum and club soda keep it light and bright.
Empress Gin Cocktail
The color alone makes the Empress Gin Cocktail worth making. Empress 1908 gin shifts from deep indigo to rose in the glass, and the flavor is crisp, flowery, and lightly citrusy.
Gummy Bear Drink
Red and yellow frozen cocktail layers are stacked in a highball glass to create this fun, colorful Gummy Bear Drink. It’s a guaranteed conversation starter at any party.
Jolly Rancher Drink
Real Jolly Rancher candies dissolve directly into the vodka, and the result is a fizzy, vibrantly colored Jolly Rancher Drink that delivers authentic candy flavor in a glass.
Hard Lemonade
This homemade Hard Lemonade with vodka and limoncello is sweet, tart, and slightly fizzy. Once you make it from scratch, the canned version simply does not compare.
White Claw Slushie
Blended with frozen fruit and vodka, this White Claw Slushie is frosty, fruit-forward, and completely customizable. It’s easy, fun, and endlessly drinkable.
Wine Slushies
Sweet Moscato or Riesling blended with frozen fruit makes a Wine Slushie that is arguably the best thing to happen to a summer afternoon. Fruity, frosty, and effortless to pull together.
Red Wine Slushie
Frozen mixed berries and sweet red Moscato blend into a beautifully purple-hued Red Wine Slushie. It’s fruity, fizzy, and one of the easiest ways to serve a crowd in style.
Jack And Cherry Coke Slushie
Two ingredients, Cherry Coke ice cubes and Jack Daniel’s whiskey, are all it takes to make this nostalgic, ice-cold Jack and Cherry Coke Slushie. It’s a familiar classic, and incredibly easy to throw together.
Pina Colada
Classic for a reason, this blended Pina Colada is creamy, tropical, and smooth from the first sip to the last. Rum, pineapple, and coconut are a combination that never gets old.
Strawberry Mudslide
Part dessert, part cocktail, and completely irresistible, the Strawberry Mudslide blends Baileys and vodka with strawberry ice cream into a rich, creamy pink drink that is a crowd favorite every single time.
Pineapple Cooler
Creamy, tropical, and wonderfully refreshing, the Pineapple Cooler is a blended rum cocktail that feels like a vacation. Smooth pineapple and coconut flavors make it hard to stop at just one.
Boozy Dole Whip
The iconic Disney Dole Whip gets a rum-spiked upgrade in this creamy, tropical Boozy Dole Whip.
Wine Float
Rich red wine poured over a scoop of ice cream with a splash of seltzer sounds indulgent, and it absolutely is. My Wine Float is sophisticated, unexpected, and worth every sip.
Strawberry Champagne Floats
Homemade strawberry puree, Brut champagne, and a scoop of strawberry ice cream make these Strawberry Champagne Floats perfect for summer celebrations.
Mimosa Float
A scoop of orange sorbet dropped into a glass of champagne and orange juice turns a classic brunch drink into something extra special. The Mimosa Float is fizzy, creamy, and a little bit playful.
Boozy Creamsicle Float
Vanilla ice cream, vodka, Triple Sec, and orange soda come together in the most nostalgic way possible. The Boozy Creamsicle Float is every bit as indulgent as it sounds, and it is one of my favorites to serve at a summer cookout.
The Ultimate Party Punch
Easy to batch, impossible to resist, and tropical enough to set the mood, the Ultimate Party Punch with rum and Hawaiian Punch ensures your guests will empty the bowl before the night is over.
Rum Punch
Bright citrus, grenadine, and a mix of dark and silver rum make this Rum Punch full-flavored, vibrant, and perfect for sipping by the glass or batching ahead for a crowd.
Lemon Drop Shot
Always a hit at parties, a Lemon Drop Shot is a tangy, sweet, sugar-rimmed classic that is as easy to make as it is to love.
Buttery Nipple Shot
Butterscotch schnapps layered with chilled Baileys Irish cream – a Buttery Nipple Shot is creamy, sweet, and impossibly smooth. Two ingredients, zero complaints.
Cinnamon Toast Crunch Shot
My Cinnamon Toast Crunch Shot is sweet, warmly spiced, and one of the most fun shots to serve at a party.
Cinnamon Roll Fireball Shot
Fireball and cream soda make a surprisingly perfect pair in this warm, indulgent Cinnamon Roll Fireball Shot. It tastes just like a cinnamon roll and is perfect for serving on warm summer evenings.
Peanut Butter Cup Shot
Skrewball peanut butter whiskey and coffee liqueur in a chocolate ganache-rimmed glass make the Peanut Butter Cup Shot taste like dessert, and remarkably close to real peanut butter cups.
Cherry Coke Jello Shots
Topped with a maraschino cherry and packed with nostalgic cola flavor, these Cherry Coke Jello Shots with spiced rum are always a crowd-pleaser.
How To Make Jello Shots
Simple, fun, and customizable in any flavor or color, this is the Jello Shot recipe you need for any party spread.
Tequila Jello Shots
Bright green, citrusy, and packing a smooth tequila kick, these Tequila Jello Shots have a sweet-tart lime flavor that makes them a guaranteed hit at any gathering.
Pina Colada Jello Shots
Topped with whipped cream, toasted coconut, and a maraschino cherry, these Pina Colada Jello Shots are fully dressed and deliver real tropical pina colada flavor in every bite.
Sangria Jello Shots
All the fruity, wine-forward flavor of a classic sangria is packed into one fun slurp with these Sangria Jello Shots, loaded with sparkling wine, triple sec, and real fruit.
Creamsicle Jello Shots
Sweet, creamy, and unmistakably nostalgic, these Creamsicle Jello Shots with whipped cream vodka and orange soda taste just like the beloved frozen treat, only in shot cup form.
Starburst Jello Shots
Bursting with candy flavor, these Starburst Jello Shots made with whipped cream vodka are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and one of the prettiest shots on the party table.
Tequila Sunrise Jell-O Shots
Layered with cherry and orange Jello, tequila, and grenadine, these Tequila Sunrise Jello Shots nail both the look and the sweet citrus flavor of the classic cocktail.
Peach Jello Shots
Sweet, fuzzy navel-inspired, and topped with a gummy peach ring, these Peach Jello Shots are always a hit at parties.
Dole Whip Jello Shots
Creamy, tropical, and finished with a pineapple garnish, these Dole Whip Jello Shots capture the dreamy Disney Dole Whip flavor everyone loves.
Blue Hawaiian Jell-O Shots
Brilliantly blue, tropical, and topped with fresh pineapple, these Blue Hawaiian Jello Shots are as eye-catching as they are delicious.
Banana Split Jello Shots
Topped with whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and a cherry, these Banana Split Jello Shots are creamy, indulgent, and taste just like the classic dessert they were inspired by.
Strawberry Lemonade Jell-O Shots
Sweet, tangy, and garnished with gummy fruit slices, these Strawberry Lemonade Jello Shots deliver bold berry-lemonade flavor.
Fireball Jello Shots
Bold and spicy, with whipped cream and cinnamon red-hot candies on top, these Fireball Jello Shots are always the first to disappear from the party table.
Boozy Grapes
Soaked overnight in White Claw and vodka, rolled in sugar, and frozen until frosty, these Boozy Grapes are the most dangerous thing on the snack table. They’re fruity, fizzy, and impossible to stop eating.
Champagne Sugar Grapes
Three ingredients are all it takes to make these Champagne Sugar Grapes. They’re crisp, lightly sweet, and perfectly celebratory.
Pineapple Spears in Coconut Water and Malibu Rum
Fresh pineapple spears soaked in Malibu rum and coconut water until they are sweet, tropical, and boozy, these Pineapple Spears in Malibu Rum work beautifully as a garnish or a standalone snack
Strawberry Daiquiri Jello Shots
Made directly inside fresh, hollowed-out strawberries, these Strawberry Daiquiri Jello Shots pop straight in your mouth with no cup needed.
Fireball Cherry Bombs
These Fireball Cherry Bombs have a crisp shell, a bold whisky-soaked center, and are genuinely impossible to eat just one of.
Wendys Frosty
This Wendy’s Frosty copycat nails the thick, chocolatey flavor of the original using just four simple ingredients. Rich, creamy, and ready in minutes, it’s a treat you’ll be making all summer.
Strawberry Frosty
Smooth, icy, and packed with real strawberry flavor, this homemade Strawberry Frosty captures everything that makes the fast-food version so beloved.
Pink Drink (Starbucks Copycat)
Bursting with strawberry flavor, this Starbucks Pink Drink copycat comes together at home in minutes for a fraction of the coffee shop price.
Peach Sweet Tea Recipe
Cool, fruity, and perfectly sweetened, this Peach Sweet Tea is a summer staple that never gets old. Keep a pitcher in the fridge for warm afternoons and for when friends drop by.
Southern Strawberry Sweet Tea
A homemade strawberry simple syrup stirred into properly brewed sweet tea makes this Southern Strawberry Sweet Tea deeply fruity, bright, and absolutely addictive. Once you try the homemade syrup version, the shortcut versions never quite measure up.
Strawberry Lemonade
Made with a homemade strawberry simple syrup and a tasty lemonade base, this Strawberry Lemonade is the perfect pitcher drink for any summer gathering.
Oreo Milkshake
Thick, creamy, and packed with crushed Oreos, this Oreo Milkshake is pure cookies-and-cream indulgence in every sip.
Mint Chocolate Chip Milkshake
Cool, creamy, and topped with whipped cream, this Mint Chocolate Chip Milkshake is the perfect way to cool down when the weather heats up.
Chocolate Milkshake
This classic Chocolate Milkshake tastes just like sitting in a diner on a hot summer afternoon. It’s every bit as rich and thick as you hope it will be.
Pineapple Lemonade
Tropical pineapple and bright citrus lemonade are a combination that just works. This Pineapple Lemonade is sweet, vibrant drink the whole family will reach for on a hot day.
Orange Sherbet Punch
Scoops of creamy orange sherbet dropped into a citrusy, fizzy punch base make this Orange Sherbet Punch a guaranteed hit at every gathering. Easy to make, beautiful in the bowl, and gone before you know it.
Sherbet Punch
This Sherbet Punch is a punch bowl recipe that looks stunning on a table and disappears fast. Colorful, fizzy, and irresistibly creamy, the rainbow sherbet does all the heavy lifting.
Shirley Temple Punch
The classic Shirley Temple scaled up for a crowd, this Shirley Temple Punch is sweet, fizzy, and garnished with orange slices and maraschino cherries for a presentation that never fails to impress.
Pina Colada Mocktail
All the creamy tropical flavor of a classic pina colada with none of the alcohol, this Pina Colada Mocktail is smooth, refreshing, and a drink everyone at the table can enjoy.
Orange Julius Recipe with Orange Juice
Frothy, creamy, and unmistakably nostalgic, this Orange Julius copycat brings the classic mall-stand flavor home in minutes with just a handful of simple ingredients.
Raspberry Lemonade
Made with a homemade raspberry syrup, this sweet-tart Raspberry Lemonade is a pitcher drink everyone reaches for twice – so you might want to make extra.
Iced Tea
Smooth, properly sweetened, and endlessly refreshing, this homemade Iced Tea can be made as a classic hot-brewed or cold-brewed version and is the perfect companion to every summer meal.
Blue Mocktail
A gorgeous non-alcoholic option that holds its own on any summer drinks table, the Blue Mocktail is vibrant, tropical blue, and citrusy-bright from the first sip.
Shirley Temple Float
Sweet, fizzy, and nostalgic from the first sip, the Shirley Temple Float is a classic childhood favorite made even better with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Root Beer Float
Sweet root beer and creamy French vanilla ice cream in a tall glass, the Root Beer Float is a timeless classic that is just as satisfying now as it was in childhood.
Banana Milkshake
This Banana Milkshake is smooth, creamy, and exactly what a hot summer afternoon calls for. It’s made with fresh ingredients and takes just minutes.
State Fair Lemonade
Made with sugar and fresh lemons, this State Fair Lemonade delivers all the classic fairground flavor without the long lines.
Whipped Lemonade
Unlike any lemonade you have tried before, the Whipped Lemonade is thick, creamy, and equal parts dessert and drink.
Frosted Chick Fil A Lemonade
Blended with generous scoops of vanilla ice cream, this Chick Fil A Frosted Lemonade copycat rivals the real thing and is easy to make at home in minutes.
Strawberry Banana Smoothie
Fresh strawberries and ripe bananas blended with milk and yogurt – this Strawberry Banana Smoothie is thick, naturally sweet, and bright. A reliable go-to for a quick breakfast or an afternoon pick-me-up.
Shirley Temple Drink
Few drinks have stood the test of time quite like the Shirley Temple. Sweet, sparkling, and universally loved, it is a classic for all ages.
Banana Peach Smoothie
My Banana Peach Smoothie is thick, creamy, and naturally sweetened. It works as well for breakfast as it does as an afternoon treat.
Kool-Aid Slushie
Vibrant, frosty, and customizable with any flavor you love, the Kool-Aid Slushie is endlessly fun, kid-approved, and an easy way to cool down on a hot summer day.
Raspberry Iced Tea
A homemade raspberry syrup stirred into brewed sweet tea gives this Raspberry Iced Tea a gorgeous deep-pink color and a sweet, fruity finish that makes it hard to put down.
Mango Pineapple Smoothie
Blended with coconut milk for a creamy, tropical finish, the Mango Pineapple Smoothie is thick, naturally sweet, and a great way to start a summer morning.
Frozen Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate
Rich, indulgent, and impossible to put down, this Frozen Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate is pure summer decadence in a glass.
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