Summer Cocktails | The Mediterranean Dish

When the heat kicks in, few things are more satisfying than a refreshing summer beverage. From bubbly spritzers and citrusy wine drinks to spirit-forward sippers and even fruity mocktails, these summer cocktail recipes are colorful, easy to make, and full of bright, sun-soaked flavor.

A pitcher of watermelon sangria next to 2 lime halves, a bowl of limes, a stack of watermelon slices, and empty glass and a glass of the sangria garnished with a watermelon slice. Image of Watermelon Sangria by Ali Redmond

These summer drinks are sure to cool you down as the heat index rises. This is a list of some of my favorite summer cocktail (and mocktail) recipes, plus ideas for what to pair them with to make the most of every get-together this summer.

Save this list so you’re equipped with lots of inspiration for summer drinks suited for poolside lounging, backyard barbecues, picnic packing, or even relaxing in the shade. Need ideas for food to go with them? Check out this list of 40 of our favorite summer cookout recipes!

Table of ContentsWine-Based Pitcher Cocktails for a Small CrowdWatermelon SangriaRosé LemonadeRed SangriaWhite SangriaTinto de VeranoSparkling Cocktails and SpritzesPeach BelliniStrawberry Bellini (Rossini)Agua de ValènciaSgroppino (Italian Prosecco Cocktail)Aperol SpritzLimoncello SpritzCocktails with a Mediterranean TwistNegroniBlood Orange Cocktail with RosemaryEasy Ouzo Drink with LemonThe Eternal SunshinePomegranate MartiniMediterranean-Inspired Mocktails Non-Alcoholic Sangria with Hibiscus and ThymeMediterranean Mint Lemonade (Limonada)Peach Iced Tea with Lemon and MintWatermelon LemonadePeach LemonadeSpiced Pomegranate Fizz MocktailStrawberry LemonadeMore Recipe Roundups

Wine-Based Pitcher Cocktails for a Small Crowd

Wine-based pitcher cocktails are perfect for summer get-togethers. They’re festive, colorful, and easy to make ahead of time. Bonus: The fruit and herbs make them just as beautiful as they are delicious.

A glass of watermelon sangria garnished with a lime wheel and a watermelon slice next to another glass of the sangria, a pitcher of the sangria, and a lime half.

Watermelon Sangria

This vibrant pink sangria brings the juicy sweetness of watermelon to the forefront. Fresh watermelon juice, white wine, and citrus combine in this ultra-refreshing cocktail that tastes like summer in a glass. Add some Pan Con Tomate, a few other Spanish tapas for a breezy Summer evening.

a glass of rose lemonade on a coaster, garnished with a lemon wheel, with another glass and pitcher of rose lemonade in the background.

two glasses of red sangria and sliced oranges with a pitcher of sangria in the background.

Red Sangria

Sangria is a true classic, and my go-to drink for summer parties. Red wine is infused with orange juice, fresh citrus, and brandy for a bold, fruity cocktail that gets better as it chills. Make it a few hours ahead of time to let the flavors meld, and serve it with a few of these Spanish recipes for a whole spread.

Glass of white wine sangria with sliced peaches, a garnish of fresh mint, and a pitcher with more sangria in the background.

White Sangria

When peaches are in season, don’t miss the opportunity to make this juicy, refreshing sangria. White sangria is lighter and more delicate than its red counterpart. Besides peaches, this version features apples and citrus slices. Add crisp white wine, a little brandy, and orange liqueur for sweetness and depth, and garnish it with fresh mint. Serve it with savory seafood dishes like Seafood Paella or Shrimp Salad.

Glass of tinto de verano with a lemon and orange slice and ice.

Tinto de Verano

This crushable red wine cocktail is a refreshing combination of wine, fruit, and lemon-lime soda. If you like the flavor of sangria but want something a little lower in alcohol, it’s a great option, especially for impromptu get-togethers, because it doesn’t need the steeping time sangria does. Serve it with crispy calamari and cooling Ajo Blanco for a laid-back Spanish supper.

Sparkling Cocktails and Spritzes

Bubbly cocktails—made with either sparkling wine or a hit of club soda—are ideal for happy hour because they’re light and refreshing, a welcome addition to a spread of little bites or a meal.

A glass of peach bellini garnished with peach slices in front of a bottle of prosecco, 2 peaches, and 2 more glasses of the bellini.

A close up of a strawberry bellini in a glass garnished with a strawberry slice surrounded by more glasses of the bellini and whole strawberries.

Strawberry Bellini (Rossini)

A riff on the classic Bellini, the Rossini swaps peaches for juicy strawberries. A little lemon juice brightens it up, making this an ultra-refreshing twist. It’s especially good with extra-sweet in-season berries. Pair it with bagels and a beautiful smoked salmon platter or Crêpes with Strawberries and Chocolate.

two glasses of agua de valencia garnished with orange slices in front of a pitcher of agua de valencia.

Agua de València

A Spanish cocktail made with freshly squeezed orange juice, cava, vodka, and gin, Agua de València is a fruity and refreshing cross between a mimosa and sangria. It’s fizzy, citrusy, and built for summer. It’s perfect with salty finger foods like Patatas Bravas or a platter of Burrata Salad with Cherry Tomatoes and Prosciutto.

a sgroppino prosecco cocktail garnished with a lemon peel in front of a tray with a bottle of prosecco.

Sgroppino (Italian Prosecco Cocktail)

Think of Sgroppino as a grown-up lemon slushy. A creamy, frothy Italian cocktail made with lemon sorbet, vodka, and sparkling wine; it’s part drink, part dessert. Add some Grilled Garlic Parmesan Shrimp and lemony Grilled Asparagus for a fun dinner you can cook outside.

a hand holding an Italian aperol spritz cocktail.

Aperol Spritz

This timeless Italian happy hour classic has a vibrant orange hue and a bittersweet flavor. Made with Aperol, Prosecco, and a splash of soda, it’s as gorgeous as it is delicious. Pair it with prosciutto e melone and squares of rich rosemary focaccia for pre-dinner snacking.

closeup of a limoncello spritz garnished with slices of lemon in an ice-filled glass.

Limoncello Spritz

This bubbly, citrusy cocktail is our favorite way to use our homemade limoncello, but you can easily buy a bottle to make this refreshing summer cocktail. A zingy combo of lemon liqueur, sparkling wine, and soda water, it’s light, sweet-tart, and made for lemon lovers. Serve it with a spread of Farinata and Antipasto Skewers.

Cocktails with a Mediterranean Twist

Whether up or on the rocks, these spirit-forward drinks make perfect summer cocktails.

A negroni cocktail with one large ice cube and an orange twist.

Negroni

This bold, bitter drink made with equal parts gin, vermouth, and Campari has a similar profile to an Aperol Spritz, but with the volume turned up. Sip it slowly over ice with a twist of orange. The big flavor can stand up to richer appetizers like an Italian-style Antipasto, a Cheese and Charcuterie Board, or simply sliced bread with Dipping Oil.

two blood orange rosemary cocktails garnished with sprigs of rosemary and wedges of blood orange next to another wedge of blood orange and a sprig of rosemary.

Blood Orange Cocktail with Rosemary

A bright, herbal drink, this cocktail combines rosemary syrup and blood orange juice. It’s earthy and sweet with a gorgeous blush hue. Serve them with a Mediterranean Mezze Platter or Grilled Lamb Chops.

ouzo cocktail in a glass with fresh lemon, ice, and mint leaves. More lemon and mint in the background.

The Eternal Sunshine gin cocktail in a tall glass with an orange and lime slice floating near the top.

The Eternal Sunshine

A cocktail creation from my husband, Saba, this combination of elderflower liqueur, tonic, gin, and a touch of aromatic orange blossom water has a delightfully refreshing profile with a floral twist. These light and refreshing summer cocktails are absolutely delicious with seafood. Serve them with Shrimp Ceviche or savory Blistered Tomato Bruschetta.

a pomegranate martini being poured from a martini shaker into a tall martini glass.

Pomegranate Martini

This elegant, magenta sipper is a close relative to the Cosmopolitan, but instead of cranberry juice, it’s a combination of pomegranate juice, vodka, orange liqueur, and lime juice. It’s fruity and tangy, and you can serve it up or on the rocks. It would be delicious with a citrusy avocado tuna salad for a light dinner.

Mediterranean-Inspired Mocktails

You don’t need alcohol to enjoy a delicious summer beverage! These scratch-made zero-proof options will help keep you cool, hydrated, and refreshed.

A pitcher non alcoholic sangria next two glasses of the sangria garnished with sprigs of fresh thyme and orange and lemon peels on a marble serving tray. Behind this is a bowl of oranges.

Non-Alcoholic Sangria with Hibiscus and Thyme

Dried hibiscus flowers—the same ones we use in this vibrant hibiscus iced tea—steeped with warming spices, fresh thyme, a touch of honey, and citrus yield a non-alcoholic “sangria” with just as much complexity as the original. Serve it with Spanish Meatballs.

Mediterranean-Style Mint Lemonade | The Mediterranean Dish. An intense, frothy, perfectly refreshing homemade lemonade. There is a small trick that makes all the difference! See the recipe on TheMediterraneanDish.com

Mediterranean Mint Lemonade (Limonada)

The trick to making this thick, frothy Egyptian-style mint lemonade is in blending some of the lemons or limes with the skin on. This adds intensity to the flavor and the texture of the lemonade. The result is deeply cooling and intensely tart and citrusy. It’s the ultimate thirst-quencher on hot days. Serve with Grilled Chicken Kofta and Tabouli for a vibrant, family-friendly dinner.

Two glasses of peach tea garnished with mint and peach and lemon wedges. Next to this is a pitcher of the tea, peaches, lemon wedges and fresh mint.

Peach Iced Tea with Lemon and Mint

My (much less sweet) take on Southern sweet tea has rich flavor from a peach-honey syrup. Want to go full Southern? Pour a glass of peach tea and serve it with my take on the classic Tomato Sandwich.

Two glasses of watermelon lemonade garnished with basil and slices of watermelon and lemon next to a whole lemon.

Watermelon Lemonade

A beautiful pink drink, this one combines the sweetness of melon with the pucker of lemon for a vibrant, summery sipper. It’s perfect at a cookout or a picnic. Pair with Shrimp Kabobs and Greek Potato Salad for a full meal.

A pitcher if peach lemonade on a wooden tray with peaches and lemons. Next to this is a glass of peach lemonade.

Peach Lemonade

Sweet, peak-season peaches plus lemon juice and honey syrup make for a coral-hued lemonade with the flavor of summer. It’s a great way to use up ripe summer peaches! Add a colorful Niçoise salad or double up on peaches by pairing it with a Peach, Arugula, Basil, and Goat Cheese salad.

A close up of 2 pomegranate fizz mocktails garnished with pomegranate seeds and orange wedges next to more pomegranate seeds and a half of an orange.

Spiced Pomegranate Fizz Mocktail

This non-alcoholic spritzer is sweet, tangy, and bubbly. It’s made with a base of honey, orange, and cardamom syrup and finished with pomegranate juice and club soda. Pomegranate is a great pairing with steak or lamb dishes because the tart flavor helps cut through the richness. Serve these with Tantuni Turkish Steak Wraps and smoky Roasted Carrot Harissa Hummus.

two glasses of strawberry lemonade garnished with strawberries and lemon slices in front of a pitcher of strawberry lemonade.

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