Sip Your Way Through Summer with These Cool Cocktails

Summer may not be the only time for drinking, but it is most definitely, absolutely and positively the best time. Outdoor barbecues are met with a cold beer. Afternoons on the porch are complete with spiked lemonade. A day spent shading yourself by the pool necessitates a frozen margarita just as much as your favorite pair of sunnies.

This week, check out Food Network’s complete guide to summer drinking, and get a rundown of the most-thirst-quenching sips of the season. Hey, even if you’re attached to a blaring AC unit all summer long, you could probably use a cold one.

Rachael-Ray-White-Wine-Sangria

Photo by: Tara Donne ©FOOD NETWORK : 2012, Television Food Network, G.P.

Tara Donne, FOOD NETWORK : 2012, Television Food Network, G.P.

Sangria is best fixed by the pitcher. Depending on what kind of vino you’re into, Rachael Ray’s White Sangria — complete with ripe peaches, green apples and raspberries — is crisp and refreshing.

Bobby-Flay-Red-Wine-Sangria

Photo by: Tara Donne ©FOOD NETWORK : 2012, Television Food Network, G.P.

Tara Donne, FOOD NETWORK : 2012, Television Food Network, G.P.

If you typically go for red, Bobby Flay’s Red Wine Sangria is deepened with brandy, triple sec and pomegranate juice, before orange and apple slices, blackberries and pomegranate seeds are stirred in. Prepare both recipes ahead so the ingredients have time to meld together.

Before you even begin to sweat, fix yourself something so cool it’s in the name. Try a Cucumber-Pineapple Tequila Cooler that capitalizes on cucumbers’ innate refreshing qualities in every sip. 

Photo by: Tara Donne ©FOOD NETWORK : 2012, Television Food Network, G.P.

Tara Donne, FOOD NETWORK : 2012, Television Food Network, G.P.

For those who dig a cocktail with a little zing, Giada De Laurentiis’ Ginger-Peach Beer Cooler blends ice-cold beer and fresh peaches with real ginger.

And if the heat needs to be kicked out of you, the Cherry-Chipotle Cooler blends Bing cherry puree, lemon juice, chipotle puree and more for a cross between tangy and powerfully spicy.

Mojito Limeade: Bobby Flay

Mojito Limeade: Bobby Flay

Photo by: Tara Donne ©Tara Donne

Tara Donne, Tara Donne

Mojito Limeade: Bobby Flay
Frozen Mojito

GT0104_frozen-mojito

Frozen Mojito

Photo by: Tara Donne

Tara Donne

Frozen Mojito

Bobby knows how to mix a good mojito. His recipe for Mojito Limeade comes with a welcomed shock of citrus, while his Frozen Mojito hinges on crushed ice for extra refreshment.

Sandra Lee

Sandra Lee

Photo by: Tara Donne

Tara Donne

Sandra Lee

Even if you’re not taking your sips in a tropical locale, a taste of the tropics is the best way to cool you down. With pineapple, grenadine and tequila involved, you won’t be able to resist a glass of Tropical Temptation.

Pink Passion Hurricane

Pink Passion Hurricane

Pink Passion Hurricane

That is, unless you’re stirring up Ted Allen’s tropical twist on a classic dark rum-based cocktail: his Passion Fruit Hurricane.

If drinking isn’t totally your thing, or you want to include the little ones, Giada’s Virgin Pomegranate and Cranberry Bellinis and Ree Drummond’s Virgin Mango Margaritas work as ideal stand-ins. They might lack in alcohol, but they don’t lack in refreshment.

More summer cocktail recipes from friends and family:

Feed Me Phoebe: Grilled Strawberry-Mint Bellinis

The Lemon Bowl: Raspberry-Ginger Bellini

Jeanette’s Healthy Living: White Peach Sangria

The Heritage Cook: Refreshing Lime Coolers

The Cultural Dish: Pimm’s Cup

Virtually Homemade: Frozen Lime Margaritas with a Sangria Swirl

Weelicious: Strawberry Lemonade

Big Girls, Small Kitchen: Strawberry Gimlets with Homemade Strawberry Vodka

Napa Farmhouse 1885: Cucumber and Sage Cocktail

Red or Green: Frozen Tri-Melon Cocktail

Dishing With Divya: Caipirinha

In Jennie’s Kitchen: Cantaloupe Lillet Sparkler

Poet in the Pantry: Pirate’s Booty Call

Elephants and the Coconut Trees: Watermelon Malibu Surf

Sweet Life Bake: Boozy Affogato

Devour: 5 Boozy Summer Coolers

Domesticate Me: Blueberry Mojito Royale

Haute Apple Pie: Classic Mojito

Daily*Dishin: Blackberry Rum Shrub

Taste With The Eyes: Korean Soju Kimbap Bloody Mary

 

Next Up

9 Watermelon Cocktails You’ll Want to Sip All Summer Long

Cool down this summer (and quench your thirst all at the same time) with these juicy beverages.

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