How to Mix Up a Signature Summer Cocktail Based on Your Go-To Classic Drink

Think back to summer vacations you took as a kid: What flavors remind you of this leisurely season? Perhaps a wedge of juicy watermelon, buttery corn on the cob, melty ice cream, or a refreshing glass of lemonade? As adults, those seasonal classics serve up nostalgic flavors—and we’re delighted to add refreshing spirited sips to the line-up, too.

It’s clear we’re not alone. Our drink of summer, the Spa Spritz, popped off on Instagram and poured into many of your glasses from coast to coast. And our low-fuss, high-reward drink of summer runners-up are earning rave reviews, too. But you shouldn’t feel limited to trending recipes—if you’d like to go off script and make this the summer of improv.

Drink pros from across the country shared their takes on making your current summer crush your own. Our promise: Each summer cocktail remix is a breeze to make. It is summertime after all—and as the song goes, the living is easy.

Characteristics of the Best Summer Cocktails

“Try not to fight what makes sense,” says Gather 22 co-owner and beverage director Pablo Gonzalez. It’s summer, and that means your glass should be filled with a sip that is:

• Refreshing
• Bright (bubbles and acidity help here)
• Perked up with fruit and/or herbs
• Low in alcohol (higher-ABV options are even more dehydrating, explains BCB3 Hospitality spirits director Oscar Simonza.

While heat can be welcome—say, in the form of picked jalapeño brine in a margarita—save warm spices and dark, deep flavors for fall and winter cocktails, suggests Kanopi Restaurant lead bartender Izabelle Lewis.

As you’re concocting your drink recipe, remember to take it easy on the booze.

“A common and big mistake is making a drink too strong,” Gonzalez says. “I like to stick to 1 ½ to 2 ounces of a spirit to make sure everyone not only has a good time, but remembers the good time. Then get creative with additional juices, herbs or flavors to balance.

The ultimate no-sweat way to enhance your summer cocktails is with a garnish, Lewis notes. You can rarely go wrong with a simple citrus wheel on the rim of the glass, but the opportunities for customization are nearly endless: “Edible glitter, coconut shavings, salt or sugar rims, fresh fruit, or a colorful straw are all ways to help transport you to any poolside or coastline,” she adds.

How to Make Your Own Signature Cocktail for Summer, Based on Your Regular Order

No need to start from scratch with your signature summer cocktail recipe. Think of a mixed drink you already can’t stop ordering, then give it your own fingerprint based on flavors you gravitate toward.

“It’s like Mad Libs, but with booze! Just be sure to follow the formula for the amount of each core ingredient in the original,” Gonzalez says. “You wouldn’t add extra eggs to your mix of brownies and expect it to bake up the same, would you?” The same holds true here. The classics are menu MVPs for a reason: They work and taste delicious.

Aperol Spritz

If a fizzy, fresh Aperol Spritz is your current favorite, consider substituting the Aperol with another aperitif or sparkling rosé, grapefruit soda, or flavored sparkling water instead of Prosecco. If you like the orange-forward foundation as-is, SAE RON executive chef and co-owner Jessica Lee-An, advocates for muddling a few fresh mint leaves in the bottom of the glass before building your 3-2-1 spritz with bubbly, Aperol, and club soda.

Espresso Martini

“The Espresso Martini is always a crowd-pleaser,” Lewis says. But the robust coffee base can be a bit strong for a toasty summer day. To give this a seasonal spin, omit the coffee liqueur and use matcha tea instead of espresso or cold brew. “The grassy and fresh nature of the matcha will transform this cocktail into a summer-appropriate option,” she adds.

You could also add a few drops of vanilla extract for a floral boost, Simonza suggests. On extremely hot days, try our Frozen Espresso Martini recipe. “By turning this into a slushie, you’re keeping it classic yet playful,” Lee-An says.

Daiquiri

A daiquiri (typically 2 ounces white rum, 1 ounce fresh lime juice, and ½ to ¾ ounce simple syrup) is already considered a summer cocktail, Lewis says. Still, it’s possible to “put your daiquiri in a tropical sundress,” Lee-An chimes in. For a less-sweet and more fruit-flavored rework, use mango or passionfruit purée instead of the simple syrup. Or blend your favorite recipe with 1 cup of ice for a truly-cool frozen daiquiri.

Negroni

Our pick for the best cocktail for poetry fans, the Negroni packs a punch. Made with 1 ounce each of gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth, this 24%-ABV drink isn’t exactly a “session drink” or “patio pounder.” That said, there are ways to lighten up the flavors to be more fitting for the season—and to ease up on the alcohol, too.

If you’d rather play with the flavors and keep the strength the same, infuse a bottle of gin with 1 pint of fresh sliced strawberries for 24 hours, strain, then use this as your base spirit, Gonzalez recommends. “The strawberries compliment the caramel flavors of the sweet vermouth and round out any harshness from the gin and Campari.”

For a slightly lower-ABV and a little more sweetness with your bitter, consider Aperol instead of Campari. Or replace the sweet vermouth with Lillet Blanc or St. Germain for floral depth, Lee-An adds. You could also go for a trendy Negroni Sbagliato, which calls for replacing the gin with less-boozy sparkling wine.

Margarita

Our Make-Ahead Frozen Margaritas are dressed up and ready for the patio. In fact, this tequila cocktail is so ideal for warm weather, that we’ve already created several seasonal riffs, including Hibiscus-Watermelon, Cucumber-Jalapeño, and even a beer-spiked version. To effortlessly summer-ify your current favorite margarita recipe, muddle in sliced cucumbers and fresh mint or sliced peaches and fresh basil, Lee-An recommends. Alternatively, Simonza suggests sprinkling in “a couple drops of your favorite hot sauce for a patio crusher” that will help make the atmospheric heat feel less burdensome.

Moscow Mule 

Made simply with 4 ounces ginger beer, 2 ounces vodka, and ½ ounce fresh lime juice, Moscow Mules are summer-friendly without any edits. Still, you can make this vodka-based cocktail even more seasonally-suitable by using half ginger beer and half club soda for a lower-ABV alternative, Lee-An says. If you have time, try infusing a bottle of vodka with a handful of fresh sage leaves (bonus points for if they’re fresh from your herb garden!), to add more depth of flavor.