Summer is the season of sun, relaxation, and, of course, refreshment. With the sun blazing and temperatures soaring, there’s nothing quite like a chilled drink to cool you down and elevate your summer experience. 

If you're hosting a backyard barbecue, planning a beach day, or simply enjoying a lazy afternoon on the porch, having a repertoire of refreshing beverages at your disposal can make all the difference. 

In this post, we’ll explore a selection of 13 ultimate summer coolers that are sure to impress. We’ve included a mix of fruity, fizzy, and even spiked options to cater to all tastes. 

Each recipe is designed to be easy to prepare and perfect for enjoying under the summer sun. 

1. Cranberry Cosmo Spritzer

First on our list is a refreshing twist on the classic Cosmo. This spritzer is perfect for those seeking a lighter, bubbly option. Combining the tart sweetness of cranberry with a hint of citrus, it's a delightful and easy-to-make summer cooler.

Ingredients

• 1 Pax Cranberry Cosmo mix
• 4oz Club soda
• Lime wedge for garnish

Instructions:

• Fill a tall glass with ice
• Pour in one Pax Cranberry Cosmo mix
• Top with club soda
• Press a lime wedge into the glass and embellish with the lime wedge
• Stir gently to combine flavors

2. Pineapple Paloma

Nothing tastes more like summer than pineapple, and this classic cocktail perfectly captures its essence. The Pineapple Paloma mix blends the sweet, tropical pineapple flavor with a sparkling grapefruit twist. With a splash of tequila and a zing of lime, it's the ideal refreshment for sunny days and warm evenings.

Ingredients:

• 1 Pax Pineapple Paloma mix
• 4oz Club soda
• 2 ounces tequila
• Lime slice (for garnish)

Instructions

• Add 4oz of club soda to a glass
• 1 Pax pineapple Paloma mix
• Fill a glass with ice
• Stir well and embellish with a lime slice

3. Non-Alcoholic Margarita Mocktails

Cool off with this refreshing non-alcoholic margarita mocktail, a delightful twist on the classic cocktail everyone can enjoy. Perfect for any festive occasion, this drink is a crowd-pleaser, whether you're hosting a baby shower, luncheon, or taco night. 

Featuring Pax Margarita, this mocktail offers a Tex-Mex twist that outshines the usual sherbet punches with its tart and zesty flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 Pax Margarita mix
• 4oz club soda
• 1/4 tsp. coarse sea salt for garnish
• Lime wedges for garnish
• Ice

Instructions

• Mix the Pax Margarita Mix and club soda in a glass
• Add ice to chill the drink
• Serve in glasses rimmed with salt (if desired) and garnish with a lime wedge. For an extra touch, add seasonal fruits or herbs

4. Moscow Mules

Despite its Russian-inspired name, the Moscow Mule was actually born in California in 1941. A staple of refreshing summer cocktails, the Moscow Mule combines vodka (optional), fresh lime juice, and spicy-sweet Pax Moscow Mule mix, all served in charming copper mugs. This easy-to-make, three-ingredient cocktail will make you feel like a master bartender and is sure to be a favorite all year long.

Ingredients

• 4oz club soda
• 4 fresh mint leaves
• Ice
• 2oz. vodka
• Pax Moscow Mule mix
• Lime wedge for garnish

Instructions

• Muddle mint leaves to release their aroma in a copper mug
• Add 4oz club soda 
• Add vodka and Pax Moscow Mule mix
• Stir well until mostly dissolved
• Garnish with additional mint leaves and a lime wedge for an extra touch of freshness

5. Spicy Mezcal Pineapple Smoke Cocktail

If you haven't tried mezcal yet, you are seriously doing your taste buds a great injustice. Unleash your adventurous taste buds with this bold and complex cocktail. The smoky undertones of mezcal blend perfectly with the sweet and spicy notes of pineapple and serrano.

Ingredients

• 1 - 2 serrano chile pepper slices
• 1 teaspoon tamarind paste
• Ice cubes
• 4 fluid ounce pineapple juice (1/2 cup), chilled 
• 1 fluid-ounce mezcal (2 Tbsp.)
• 2 fluid-ounce mango-flavored sparkling water (1/4 cup), chilled
• Fresh pineapple, mango, and/or serrano chile (for garnish)  (optional)

Instructions

1. Lightly muddle serrano chile slices and tamarind paste in a Collins glass
2. Fill the glass with ice, pineapple juice, and mezcal. Stir to chill
3. Top with mango-flavored sparkling water
4. Garnish with fresh pineapple, mango, and/or additional serrano, if desired

If you prefer an easier alternative, you can use Pax Pineapple Paloma mix to provide a sweet and tropical foundation for your Spicy Mezcal Pineapple Smoke Cocktail.

Ingredients

• Drink Pax Pineapple Paloma mix
• Mezcal
• Serrano chili pepper (fresh or pickled)
• Lime juice
• Agave nectar or simple syrup (optional, to balance sweetness)

Instructions

• Muddle serrano chili pepper in a cocktail shaker or glass
• Add Pineapple Paloma mix, mezcal, and lime juice to the shaker
• Shake vigorously with ice
• Strain into a glass filled with ice
• Adjust sweetness with agave nectar or simple syrup to taste
• Garnish with a lime wheel and a serrano pepper slice

Note: To intensify the smoky flavor, consider adding a few drops of liquid smoke or using smoked salt to rim the glass.

You can create a unique and flavorful cocktail that captures the essence of a Spicy Mezcal Pineapple Smoke by building on the Pineapple Paloma mix. 

You may also like: Pax > Traditional Mixers.

6. Iced Sparkling Honey-Lime Red Tea

This light and refreshing iced tea is the ideal pick-me-up on a hot summer day and can be ready within ten minutes. The subtle sweetness of honey balances the tartness of the lime, creating a harmonious flavor profile. This is a perfect mix for the next time you're having friends over. 

Ingredients

• Red tea bags
• Honey
• Fresh lime juice
• Club soda
• Lime slices for garnish

Instructions

• Brew red tea according to package instructions. Let it cool completely
• Stir in honey to taste
• Fill a tall glass with ice
• Pour in brewed tea and fresh lime juice
• Top with club soda
• Garnish with lime slices

7. Berry Sangria

This vibrant and refreshing sangria is perfect for sharing with friends. Filled with juicy berries and a hint of sweetness, it's the ultimate summer sip. We recommend making your fruit mix the night before for a super flavorful drink.

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb. mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries cut into pieces)
• 2 Tbsp. sugar
• 1 Tbsp.  lemon juice
• Sparkling rosé

Instructions

1. Combine berries, lemon juice, and sugar in a pitcher
2. Let the mixture sit for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld
3. Add sparkling rosé to taste
4. Serve over ice, garnished with fresh berries

8. Strawberry Daiquiri

Imagine sipping on a frosty, vibrant, refreshing summer cocktail that perfectly balances sweetness and tang. This frozen Strawberry Daiquiri blends luscious, ripe strawberries with a splash of zesty lime, creating a refreshing escape from the summer heat. 

With just four simple ingredients, this irresistible drink will become your go-to choice for sunny days and fun gatherings. 

Ingredients

• 4 oz. light rum
• 1/2 c. fresh strawberries
• 1 (10-oz.) bag frozen strawberries
• 1 Tbsp. granulated sugar
• Lime juice
• Lime slices for garnish

Instructions

• Combine light rum, fresh and frozen strawberries, sugar, and lime juice in a blender
• Blend until a smooth and icy consistency is reached
• Pour into a chilled glass
• Garnish with lime slices and fresh strawberries

9. Watermelon Agua Fresca

With its vibrant color and stimulating taste, Watermelon Agua Fresca is a quintessential summer drink that captures the essence of sunny days. 

This thirst-quenching beverage is a staple at Mexican street vendors and taco stands. It offers a deliciously sweet blend of fresh watermelon and mint syrup balanced by a splash of lime juice. 

Sweet, juicy, and incredibly hydrating, this non-alcoholic beverage is a perfect pick-me-up for all ages. If you prefer a spirited twist, you can easily transform it into a refreshing summer cocktail by adding blue agave nectar tequila, vodka, or gin.

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
• 2 tsp. lime zest, and 3 Tbsp. juice (from 2 limes), divided
• 5 cups cubed seedless watermelon (from 1 [2-lb.] watermelon)
• 1/2 cup water
• 6 Tbsp. mint simple syrup
• Watermelon wedge and lime wheel (for garnish)

Instructions:

• Mix the granulated sugar and lime zest in a small bowl until well combined and fragrant
• Spread the mixture evenly on a plate
• Pour 1 tablespoon of lime juice onto another plate
• Dip the rims of four 12-ounce glasses into the lime juice, then coat them with the lime zest mixture
• Fill up the glasses with ice and set them aside
• Combine the watermelon cubes and water in a blender. Blend until smooth, about 30 seconds
• Add the mint simple syrup and the remaining two tablespoons of lime juice to the blender. 
• Blend for an additional 10 seconds to combine
• Pour the mixture over ice in the prepared glasses. Garnish with a wedge of watermelon and a lime wheel

10. Mai Tai

Elevate your summer with the classic Mai Tai, perhaps the most iconic Tiki cocktail. This tropical cocktail artfully blends rich, nutty orgeat with bright citrus notes from lime and orange Curaçao. 

Renowned for its perfect harmony of citrus and sweetness, it celebrates the essence of rum, capturing the spirit of the 1930s original cocktail recipe with a perfect mix of sweet and sour flavors.

Ingredients

• 1 ounce dark Jamaican rum
• 1 ounce white rum
• 1/4 ounce orgeat
• 1/2 ounce orange Curaçao or Grand Marnier
• 3/4 ounce lime juice
• 1/4 ounce rich simple syrup (2:1 ratio of water to sugar)
• 2-3 mint leaves (for garnish)
• 1 lime wedge (for garnish)

Instructions:

• Combine the white rum, Curaçao or Grand Marnier, orgeat, and crushed ice in a shaker
• Shake well for about 10 seconds
• Pour the mixture into a rock glass filled with ice
• To create the signature layered rum float, place a bar spoon over the glass and slowly pour the dark rum over the spoon so that it floats on top of the cocktail
• Garnish with fresh mint leaves and a lime wedge before serving

You may also like: Top 10 Most Searched Cocktails.

11. Kombucha-Blood Orange Mule

The Kombucha-Blood Orange Mule is a colorful twist on the classic Moscow Mule. This drink combines the spicy kick of ginger beer with the refreshing tang of lime juice and the subtle tartness of kombucha. 

The addition of blood oranges not only adds a beautiful hue but also infuses the drink with a unique citrus flavor, making it an exciting beverage to enjoy any time of the year.

If blood oranges aren't available, feel free to substitute with freshly squeezed orange juice or grapefruit juice. Either way, you're in for a treat.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups ginger beer
• 1 cup ginger kombucha
• 1 cup fresh blood orange juice
• ¾ cup (6 oz.) vodka
• ½ cup freshly squeezed lime juice, plus wedges for serving

Instructions

• Fill 4 copper mule mugs with ice
• Into each mug, pour 6 tablespoons of ginger beer, ¼ cup of ginger kombucha, ¼ cup of blood orange juice, 3 tablespoons of vodka, and 2 tablespoons of lime juice
• Stir the mixture gently to combine
• Decorate each mug with slices of blood orange and lime wedges for a vibrant presentation

12. Cucumber, Lemon, and Mint Fizz

This refreshing concoction combines the light, fresh flavors of cucumber, lemon, and mint with ginger ale and tea, making it perfect for those who prefer subtler fruit flavors. The lemon plays a supporting role, enhancing the fragrant mint and invigorating freshness of cucumber for a deliciously cool drink.

Ingredients

• 8 black or green tea bags
• 4 sprigs fresh mint
• 1 lemon
• ½ seedless cucumber
• 4 cups ginger ale

Instructions

• Boil 4 cups of water in a medium saucepan. Remove from heat and add the tea bags, mint, and half a lemon.
• Allow to steep for about 4 minutes, stirring twice for a rich infusion

• After steeping, remove and discard the tea bags, mint, and lemon. Let the tea cool to room temperature

• Slice the cucumber and remaining lemon, then stir them into the cooled tea. Add the ginger ale for a fizzy twist

• Pour the mixture over ice in glasses. Garnish with extra mint sprigs if desired for a fresh, aromatic touch

13. Apple Cider Vinegar Drink

Elevate your summer refreshment game with this health-boosting tonic, where muddled berries—handpicked for freshness—take center stage. Muddled berries, combined with apple cider vinegar and lemon juice, are not only light and delicious but also packed with wellness benefits. 

To enhance its summer charm, garnish with fresh basil or mint, turning this sparkling fruit drink into a revitalizing delight that will make you feel good from the inside out.

Ingredients

• 6 raspberries or blackberries
• 1 - 2 teaspoons raw sugar or honey
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• Juice of half a lemon
• Ice
• Berries, basil, or mint (for garnish)
• Sparkling water

Instructions

• Combine the berries and sugar in a tall glass. Muddle gently until the berries are crushed and mixed with the sugar
• Stir in the apple cider vinegar and lemon juice
• Fill the glass with ice and top with sparkling water
• Garnish with additional berries, basil, and/or mint for more burst of flavor and aroma

Takeaway: Make this summer refreshing and revitalizing with Pax

Summer is more than just a season—it's an opportunity to savor the flavors and experiences that make these warm months unforgettable. With these 13 most refreshing summer drinks, you're prepared to beat the heat with a delicious beverage in hand.