When the temperature heats up outside, there is nothing better than an ice-cold glass of something truly refreshing. With the ice clinking in each stir and the condensation building with each sip you take, it’s really hard not to have a drink in your hand all the time, right? And you should. In fact, studies show the more hydrated you are, the longer you’ll live (win!).
According to a recent study, staying well hydrated may slow down the aging process and help prevent or slow chronic disease progression. There can be an overwhelming number of recipes online to help you add that little sparkle to your summer day, so we rounded up some of the internet’s best and brightest mocktails and cocktails from the pros that have good-for-you ingredients and are easily batchable to make your summer sipping that much sweeter.
Read on to discover our 12 best mocktails and cocktails for the warm days of summer ahead.
Cherry Vanilla Cream Pop
A calming mocktail that hits all the notes in one glass: Tart cherry, sweet vanilla cream, and an unbeatable fizz factor to boot. Washington, DC based dietitian Caroline Thomason Bunn says that the meaningful dose of magnesium—15 percent of your daily value (DV)—paired with the adaptogens may help take the edge off your day and support a sense of calm. “One can won’t knock you out, but it could help you feel just a little more chill,” she says.
Gin and (Green) Juice
This refreshing cocktail blends crisp botanicals with vibrant, nutrient-packed greens for a revitalizing twist. Dawn Jackson Blatner, RDN and author of The Superfood Swap says green juice provides vitamin A for vision, vitamin C for immune support, and vitamin K for bone health plus chlorophyll, “which is an antioxidant that supports cell health,” says Blatner.
Perfect for wellness-conscious cocktail lovers, this one offers herbaceous flavor with a bright, invigorating finish.
Matchata Martini
Move over espresso martinis, there’s a new summer fave in town. This vodka-based martini combines cinnamon, vanilla, matcha, horchata, and créme de cacao in a cute little coupe glass (is there anything better than a coupe?) for sweet after-dinner refreshment.
Aloe? It's Me
Have you heard? Aloe isn’t just for your sunburn anymore. For something completely different, try mixing up a batch of these refreshingly sweet and spicy cocktails when the dog days of summer really hit. Made with green juice, pineapple, jalapeño, mezcal, and aloe, this one offers a multi-faceted and refreshing experience that pairs perfectly with mezze on the patio on the hottest of summer days.
Plus, Blatner adds that spicy peppers can add “a dose of vitamin C and capsaicin for an immune boost and circulation benefits.”
Peach Basil Tingle
If you’re craving some gut-healthy benefits alongside your beverage, check out this peachy keen mocktail made with peach purée, honey, basil, and a splash of kombucha. Finish it all up with a Tajin rim in a decorative glass and you’ll be sipping pretty all through your pool day.
Blackberry Rosemary Sangria
Nothing says summer *quite* like sangria, and this one is not only simple to make for a crowd, but it has a twist of ingredients that’ll leave your guests wondering just where you went to bartending school.
Definitely pair this one with a spicy entrée since the heat and herbs will go nicely with a tall, icy glass of this dark berry refresher.
Espresso Old Fashioned
If an espresso martini and a classic old fashioned had a baby, it would be this Espresso Old Fashioned. Made with smoky espresso, sweet dark chocolate, zesty orange, and a shot of good bourbon, it really doesn't get any better than this for a sultry summer nightcap (or a party pregame).
Spicy Electrolyte Mockarita
If you’re a tried-and-true margarita fan, you’re going to love this limey mack-arita that also brings a hefty dose of hydrating electrolytes. This mocktail provides the sodium, potassium, and magnesium to support hydration, energy metabolism, and muscle recovery (plus, it just looks really pretty).
Orange Ranch Water
A reminder that citrus isn’t only for winter and ranch waters don’t only come in cans. This simple summertime stunner includes tequila, lime, orange juice, and everyone’s favorite, a splash of seltzer, for an easy, thirst-quenching spritz.
Blue Hawaii Mocktail
If you’re a frozen-drink kinda person, you’re going to love this bright blue slushy
made with coconut milk, lime juice, and pineapple. Blue curaçao or blue spirulina (your choice) add a punch of color, and this one is also easily batchable for a crowd. Just don’t forget the edible flowers on top!
Mango Spritz
The bright purple and orange colors of this anti-inflammatory cocktail (thanks to butterfly pea powder, fresh mango, ginger, and saffron) is quite possibly the most gorgeous combination for a summer drink. Thomason-Bunn says mango adds natural sweetness along with vitamin C, fiber, and beneficial plant compounds like mangiferin. “It adds both creaminess and a subtle nutrient boost,” she says.
No-Sugar Coconut Lemonade
Since traditional lemonade is typically loaded with added sugar, Blatner shared her version, but blended, and made with coconut water. “Coconut water provides potassium for muscle function, and the whole lemon has over 40 percent of your daily vitamin C to support immunity and skin health,” she says.
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