10 refreshing cocktails for summer

Refreshing summer cocktails: 10 recipes to savour all season long

Whether you are relaxing by the pool or hosting a garden barbecue, cocktails are the perfect drink to cool down and quench your thirst. In this guide, we present 10 summer cocktail recipes that will brighten up your evenings. From timeless classics to more adventurous creations, let these recipes inspire you and take your summer to the next level!

Which cocktails to enjoy this summer ?

Summer means sunshine, warmth and relaxation. To make the most of these precious moments, nothing beats a refreshing cocktail. Here is our selection of 10 summer cocktails to delight your taste buds.

The classics

Classic Mojito

The Mojito is undoubtedly one of the most iconic cocktails in the world! Made with rum, fresh mint, lime juice, cane sugar and sparkling water, it is the perfect drink for hot summer days.

Ingredients:

• 6 to 8 fresh mint leaves
• 2 tsp cane sugar
• Juice of half a lime
• 6 cl white rum
• Sparkling water · Ice cubes

Recipe: In a glass, gently muddle the mint leaves with the cane sugar and lime juice. Add ice cubes and pour in the white rum. Top with sparkling water. Stir gently and garnish with a sprig of mint.

Piña Colada

The Piña Colada is a tropical cocktail made with rum, pineapple juice and coconut milk. A true mixology classic, its creamy, sweet taste makes it both indulgent and refreshing.

Ingredients:

• 4 cl white rum
• 12 cl pineapple juice
• 4 cl coconut milk
• Ice cubes

Recipe: In a shaker, combine the white rum, pineapple juice and coconut milk. Add ice cubes and shake vigorously. Pour into a cocktail glass and garnish with a pineapple slice.

Spritz

The Spritz is an Italian cocktail traditionally made with Aperol, Prosecco and sparkling water. Its vivid orange colour and slightly bitter taste have made it a summer aperitif staple in recent years.

Ingredients:

• 6 cl Prosecco or crémant
• 4 cl Aperol (or bitter/amaro)
• Sparkling water · Ice cubes · 1 orange slice

Recipe: Fill a wine glass with ice cubes. Pour in the Prosecco and Aperol. Top with sparkling water. Add an orange slice to garnish.

Moscow Mule

Usually served in a copper mug, the Moscow Mule is a cocktail made with vodka, lime juice and ginger beer. Its blend of tangy and spiced flavours makes it a fresh and invigorating drink.

Ingredients:

• 6 cl vodka
• 15 cl ginger beer
• Juice of half a lime
• Ice cubes · Lime slice to garnish

Recipe: Fill a copper mule mug with ice cubes. Add the vodka and lime juice. Top with ginger beer. Stir gently and garnish with a lime slice.

Gin Fizz

Ingredients:

• 6 cl gin
• 3 cl fresh lemon juice
• 1.5 cl cane sugar syrup
• Sparkling water · Ice cubes

Recipe: In a shaker, combine the gin, fresh lemon juice and cane sugar syrup with ice cubes. Shake vigorously. Pour into a glass filled with ice cubes. Top with sparkling water. Garnish with a lemon slice.

Revisited classics

Strawberry Daïquiri

This lightly revisited Strawberry Daïquiri is a sweet, fruity cocktail made with white rum and strawberry juice. Its vivid pink colour and delicious taste make it the perfect drink for sunny days.

Ingredients:

• 6 cl white rum
• 2 cl lime juice
• 2 cl strawberry syrup
• Ice cubes · Strawberries to garnish

Recipe: In a shaker, combine the white rum, lime juice and strawberry syrup with ice cubes. Shake vigorously. Pour into a cocktail glass and garnish with strawberries.

Gin Cosmopolitan

This gin Cosmopolitan is a modern twist on the classic cocktail. Using gin instead of vodka adds a herbaceous, refined note to this elegant drink.

Ingredients:

• 6 cl gin
• 3 cl cranberry juice
• 2 cl lime juice
• 1.5 cl cane sugar syrup
• Ice cubes · Lime zest to garnish

Recipe: In a shaker, combine the gin, cranberry juice, lime juice and cane sugar syrup with ice cubes. Shake vigorously. Pour into a martini glass and garnish with a lime zest.

Cucumber Gin Tonic

The cucumber Gin Tonic is a refreshing twist on this popular cocktail. Adding cucumber slices brings a cool, light touch to this classic blend of gin and tonic.

Ingredients:

• 6 cl gin
• 12 cl tonic water
• 4 cucumber slices · Ice cubes

Recipe: Fill a gin tonic glass with ice cubes. Add the gin and tonic. Stir gently. Garnish with cucumber slices.

Pineapple Mojito

The pineapple Mojito is a tropical take on this iconic cocktail. Adding fresh pineapple slices gives the drink fruity, exotic notes.

Ingredients:

• 6 to 8 fresh mint leaves
• 2 tsp cane sugar
• Juice of half a lime
• 6 cl white rum
• 4 fresh pineapple slices
• Sparkling water · Ice cubes

Recipe: In a glass, gently muddle the mint leaves with the cane sugar and lime juice. Add the crushed pineapple slices. Add ice cubes and pour in the white rum. Top with sparkling water. Stir gently and garnish with a mint sprig.

Watermelon Sangria

Watermelon Sangria combines rosé wine with delicious chunks of watermelon, creating a refreshing, fruity drink. An absolute must-try!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 watermelon
• 1 bottle rosé wine
• 10 cl vodka · 6 cl cane sugar syrup
• Juice of 2 lemons · Juice of 2 oranges
• Ice cubes · Watermelon slices and mint to garnish

Recipe: Hollow out the watermelon and cut the flesh into cubes. In a pitcher, combine the watermelon cubes, rosé wine, vodka, cane sugar syrup, lemon juice and orange juice. Add ice cubes and stir well. Pour into glasses and garnish with watermelon slices and mint leaves. Also perfect for your summer barbecues →

Two bonus cocktails for this summer

Tinto de Verano

Tinto de Verano is a summer classic, hugely popular in Spain. It is an easy recipe, lighter than a traditional sangria, and perfect for a summer moment when you want a simple, fresh, not-too-sweet drink.

Ingredients:

• 15 cl supple, fruity red wine
• 10 cl sparkling water · 1 cl cane sugar syrup
• Half an organic lemon · Ice cubes · Lemon slice to garnish

Recipe: Fill a glass with plenty of ice cubes. Pour in the red wine, then the sparkling water. Add a dash of cane sugar syrup if you prefer a slightly sweeter taste. Squeeze the lemon gently, stir, then garnish with a lemon slice.

White Peach Planter's Punch

A vitamin-packed planter's punch recipe with white peaches and seasonal fruits. A balanced, fruity rum-based cocktail that always makes an impression at aperitif time.

Ingredients:

• 5 cl aged rum
• 4 cl orange juice · 4 cl guava nectar
• 4 cl pineapple juice · 2 cl peach syrup
• Half a lime · 2 thin white peach slices
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters (optional) · Ice cubes

Recipe: In a shaker, combine the rum, juices, peach syrup, lime juice and Angostura bitters, then add ice cubes. Shake vigorously and serve in a cocktail glass filled with ice. Add the white peach slices. For an even more summery version, replace the ice cubes with a homemade granita.

Frequently asked questions - summer cocktails

Which wine should I use for a summer sangria ?

For a classic summer sangria, choose a supple, fruity red wine: a Merlot, a Grenache or a Languedoc red will work perfectly. For a lighter rosé version, opt for a Provence or Loire rosé. Avoid wines that are too tannic or heavily oaked as these do not blend well with fruit and juices. An accessible wine between €5 and €10 will always give better results than a low-end one.

Can I replace Prosecco with crémant in a Spritz ?

Absolutely. An Alsace, Burgundy or Loire Crémant is a perfect substitute for Prosecco in a Spritz, often with better value for money. The key is to choose a brut or extra-brut crémant to balance the sweetness of the Aperol. Many people actually prefer the result with a crémant, which brings more aromatic complexity than standard Prosecco.

How do I make alcohol-free summer cocktails ?

Most of these recipes adapt easily to an alcohol-free version: replace the rum with exotic fruit juice, the vodka with sparkling water and the Prosecco with sparkling grape juice. For an alcohol-free Mojito, simply leave out the rum and double the amount of lime juice and cane sugar syrup. The result is just as refreshing.

What is Tinto de Verano ?

Tinto de Verano (literally "summer red wine" in Spanish) is a hugely popular summer cocktail in Spain. It is simply made with supple red wine, sparkling water and a dash of cane sugar syrup. Lighter and less sweet than a sangria, it is ideal for long summer evenings. Contrary to what you might think, it is best served very cold with plenty of ice.

Which gin should I choose for a summer cocktail ?

For a Gin Tonic or Gin Fizz, opt for a classic London Dry gin for its versatility, or a contemporary gin with floral and fruity notes (cucumber, pink pepper, citrus) that pair naturally with summer recipes. Avoid heavily peated or woody gins that would overpower the fresh aromas of summer cocktails. A gin between 40° and 47% ABV is ideal for most recipes.

How much cocktail should I plan per person ?

For an aperitif, allow 2 to 3 cocktails per person (approximately 15 to 20 cl per glass). For a full evening, plan for 4 to 5 cocktails per person. For a sangria or punch served in a pitcher, count around 20 cl per person per hour. Always prepare a little more than you think you need - it is better to have leftovers than to run short, especially for recipes that require advance preparation such as a macerated sangria.

With these 10 refreshing cocktail recipes, you are all set to impress your guests this summer. Whether you go for a classic Mojito or something more adventurous like a Watermelon Sangria, Avenue des Vins has everything you need to make delicious summer cocktails.