The Only 5 Cocktails You Need to Know This Summer
Summer cocktail season is here—and let’s be honest, no one wants to play bartender all day when the sun is shining and the grill is hot. That’s why we’re cutting through the noise (and the hundreds of recipes out there) to bring you just five essential cocktails that will carry you from brunch to beach bonfires with style.
Pulled from the pages of The Home Bartender, Spritz, Brunch Cocktails, and Essential Cocktails, these drinks are easy to make, endlessly customizable, and crowd-approved. Whether you’re hosting a backyard party or just looking for the perfect porch sipper, this is your ultimate cheat sheet.
1. Aperol Spritz (from Spritz!)
Light, fizzy, and refreshingly bitter, the Aperol Spritz is the poster child of summertime sipping. It’s low-proof, so you can enjoy it midday without the crash, and it pairs perfectly with salty snacks or sunny afternoons.
· 3 oz Prosecco
· 2 oz Aperol
· 1 oz soda water
· Orange slice for garnish
Build in a wine glass filled with ice. Stir gently and garnish with the orange slice.
2. Tropical Storm (from The Home Bartender)
The Tropical Storm scales back the ever-popular Hurricane recipe into something a little more manageable for everyday consumption. After all, who keeps three types of rum on hand? The Tropical Storm maintains the flavors that make the Hurricane so beloved while decreasing its complexity, creating a cocktail you can easily make at home.
· 1 part white run
· 1 part dark rum
· 1 part passion fruit syrup
· Juice of ½ a lemon
· 1 maraschino cherry, for garnish
Add all the liquid ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a hurricane glass and garnish with a maraschino cherry.
3. Classic Martini (from The Home Bartender)
A classic beverage, celebrated through the ages by cocktail aficionados, famous writers, and, of course, that most famous of fictional British spies. The Classic Martini is simple, straightforward, and delicious, with nary a wasted ingredient. If you’ve never made yourself a martini, now is the time.
· 4 parts Tanqueray gin
· 1 part dry vermouth
· 1 lemon twist, for garnish
Add the gin and vermouth to a mixing glass filled with ice and stir for about :30 seconds. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a twist of lemon.
4. Mint Julep, from Essentials Cocktails
In a proper Mint Julep, you want to recognize the priority established in the cocktail’s name, and give the mint most of your attention so that you can extract as much of the mint’s aroma as possible, since the Julep is a drink that is meant to charm the nose as much as the taste buds.
· Fresh mint, plus more for garnish
· 1 teaspoon confectioner’s sugar
· Splash of water
· 2 oz. Maker’s Mark bourbon
· 2 dashes of bitters
Place the fresh mint, confectioners’ sugar, and water in a Julep cup and muddle. Add crushed ice and the bourbon and gently stir until chilled. Top with more crushed ice and the bitters. Garnish with additional fresh mint and enjoy.
5. Classic Mimosa, from Brunch Cocktails
No summer weekend is complete without a good brunch, and no brunch is complete without a Mimosa. It’s the simplest way to elevate your morning—and yes, it's totally acceptable to drink one before noon.
· 3 oz. orange juice
· 3 oz. Champagne
Place the orange juice in the Champagne flute, top with the Champagne, and enjoy.
Whether you’re brunching with friends, lounging poolside, or toasting a sunset, these five cocktails cover every summer occasion. With just a few ingredients and a little know-how, you’ll be mixing drinks like a pro all season long—no fancy bar tools or obscure spirits required.
So skip the stress of over-complicated recipes and stick with the essentials. These tried-and-true favorites from The Home Bartender, Spritz, Brunch Cocktails, and Essential Cocktails will keep your cooler stocked, your guests happy, and your summer deliciously simple.
Cheers to your new go-to summer lineup!