40 Best Non-Alcoholic Summer Drinks to Enjoy on a Hot Day
Both parents and kids can sip these easy summer mocktails by the pool.
Hosting a pool party or summer soirée? Give your guests tasty, non-alcoholic drink options to beat the summer heat. A homemade summer drink is a great way to make everyone feel included: kids, grandparents, sober adults, and more. Among our refreshing summer drinks are fruit-filled punches and new takes on classic lemonade recipes. They pair perfectly with a dip in the pool or a sizzling meal straight off the grill.
These recipes are a great way to utilize your garden’s bounty in ways you’ve never considered. Ever think about adding rhubarb to lemonade or mint to a slushie? Well, now is the time! Taste test new summer drink recipes to find the perfect beverage for your backyard barbecue menu.
If you prefer to have a bit of alcohol in the hot summer heat, make two batches of your favorite recipe: one with the liquor of your choice and one without. That way, everyone’s happy!
These easy-to-make drinks are a simple way to elevate your outdoor gathering, since refreshments tend to take a backseat to grilling recipes during the season. So switch it up, spend a little extra time on beverages, and make these fun drinks the new stars of summer.
Fresh Berry Lemonade
Lemonade with homemade strawberry syrup? Yes, please! It's the perfect way to jazz up the summer classic, lemonade.
Get the Fresh Berry Lemonade recipe.
Cranberry-Basil Spritzer
This spritzer's refreshing mix of cranberry and lime hits the spot on a hot summer day — while also incorporating flavors usually enjoyed during cooler weather — for a unique warm-weather drink.
Get the Cranberry-Basil Spritzer recipe.
Icy Watermelon Granita
If lemonade is the drink of summer, watermelon is certainly the fruit! This granita combines both to make the ultimate summer refreshment.
Get the Icy Watermelon Granita recipe.
Fizzy Cranberry-Lemonade Punch
Want a punch of flavor? The undiluted lemonade concentrate adds mouth-watering tartness while the cranberry cocktail juice mellows it with sweetness.
Cucumber, Lemon, and Mint Fizz
Light, fresh flavors of cucumber, lemon, and mint unite in this ginger ale and tea creation. It’s great for non-fruit lovers since the lemon acts as more of a side character than the main event.
3-in-1 Agua Fresca
Agua fresca, a sugar and water based drink with a combination of fruits, grains, and/or seeds, is a popular summer beverage. This 3-in-1 recipe lets you customize the central fruit.
Get the 3-in-1 Agua Fresca recipe.
Rhubarb Lemonade
Rhubarb may not be your first choice lemonade ingredient, but don’t knock it till you try it. It’s an under-appreciated weapon in the kitchen that will have your friends begging for more.
Get the Rhubarb Lemonade recipe.
Citrus Spritzer
This citrus-centric spritzer is the perfect summer brunch drink. Make a large batch and store it in a sealed container to enjoy for several days.
Get the Citrus Spritzer recipe.
Iced Fruit Punch
In this recipe, the words ‘iced fruit’ are literal. Freeze your favorite fruit juice in ice cube molds to mix later with ginger ale and seltzer water. Play with the amount of iced fruit cubes to find your preferred fruitiness level.
Get the Iced Fruit Punch recipe.
Lemon + Mint Slushie
When we say "easy recipe," this is what we mean. All it requires is lemonade, mint leaves, ice cubes, and a blender. Then, voila — slushie!
Get the Lemon + Mint Slushie recipe.
Ginger Cucumber Lemonade
Ginger is the standout ingredient of this delicious summer concoction. Create a ginger simple syrup and combine it with lemonade, then garnish with cucumber for a post-drink snack!
Get the Ginger Cucumber Lemonade recipe.
Watermelon Fresca
Enjoy this fruity fresca with a spicy meal for a reprieve from the heat of both the food and summer weather. The hint of lime will pair great with tacos or tamales!
Get the Watermelon Fresca recipe.
Anticipation Punch
Whip up a batch of anticipation punch for your next big event: graduation, birthday, 4th of July, etc. This celebratory drink consists mainly of ginger ale and white grape juice — with fresh fruits to garnish.
Get the Anticipation Punch recipe.
Watermelon Limeade
Use the whole watermelon as a fun drink dispenser for your 4th of July party! Just leave out the vodka to make this recipe non-alcoholic (or keep it in if you prefer an adult beverage).
Get the Watermelon Limeade recipe.
Mason Jar Citrus Coolers
Orange, lime, and lemon are the perfect trifecta of summer flavors. This tart, refreshing citrus drink has serious potential to become your new backyard BBQ go-to.
Get the Mason Jar Citrus Coolers recipe.
Summer Melon Slushies
Whatever your flavor preference (Watermelon-Lime, Honeydew-Ginger-Mint, or Cantaloupe-Basil), these fruit slushies will keep you cool and happy.
Get the Summer Melon Slushies recipe.
Ginger-Peach Soda
This refresher is the perfect fruity, bubbly treat for a hot summer day.
Get the Ginger-Peach Soda recipe.
Kiwi Lemonade Spritzer
One sip and you'll fall in love with this unique drink that perfectly balances sweet and tart flavors.
Get the Kiwi Lemonade Spritzer recipe.
Mocktail Blackberry Spritzer
Take advantage of berry season with this easy-to-make drink you'll love sipping on all summer long.
Get the Mocktail Blackberry Spritzer recipe.
Strawberry-Lemon Punch
You can prep this refreshment in large or small batches. Either way, you'll want it on hand. There's nothing like the taste of fresh fruit and sweet lemonade on a summer afternoon.
Get the Strawberry-Lemon Punch recipe.
Kate Franke (she/her) is the editorial assistant at Woman’s Day. She loves all things lifestyle, home, and market related. Kate has a BAJMC in Magazine Media and BA in Writing from Drake University. She is a proud ASME alum whose work has appeared in Food Network Magazine, The Pioneer Woman Magazine, Better Homes & Gardens, Modern Farmhouse Style, Beautiful Kitchens & Baths, and more. Next to writing, Kate’s two favorite things are chai lattes and pumpkin bread!
Elizabeth Berry (she/her) is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she optimizes lifestyle content across verticals. Prior to this role, she was an Editorial Assistant for Woman’s Day where she covered everything from gift guides to recipes. She also has experience fact checking commerce articles and holds a B.A. in English and Italian Studies from Connecticut College.
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