22 Summer Wedding Cocktails You'll Want to Sip Year Round

Give your guests the taste of summer at your wedding.
Ariel Taranski
by
Ariel Taranski
Ariel Taranski
Ariel Taranski
The Knot Contributor
  • Ariel writes on a variety of wedding-related topics for The Knot.
  • She has previously worked for Southern Bride Magazine, Miss Design Berry and other woman-owned wedding brands.
  • She received her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Memphis.
Updated Apr 25, 2024

Wedding season is in full swing, which means it's time to figure out all the details for your big day. We've rounded up some of our favorite summer wedding cocktails to help combat the sun and heat while still giving your guests delicious flavors. A signature cocktail can elevate any day, and when you pair it with the right food, you'll have an event that'll be talked about for years to come. It's key to hire a bartender who can craft the right summer cocktails for your big day, and The Knot Vendor Marketplace makes it easy for you to find a local mixologist. Use these fabulous cocktails to help plan your summer wedding and create a mouth-watering menu.

Mixologist's Summer Wedding Cocktail Recipes

A summer wedding is the perfect chance to inject fruity flavors and cool drinks into your menu. We spoke with Allie Valley at the The Boathouse Restaurant in Lake George, New York, and she mixed up some tasty summer cocktails that'll have your guests coming back to the bar.

1. Summer Strawberry Lemonade Mojito

Strawberry lemonade mojito summer wedding cocktail
Photo: Allie Valley, The Boathouse Restaurant

Nothing beats a refreshing summer lemonade, and this one has a fun twist. You get a mixture of tasty fruit flavors and mint in this seasonal mojito.

Ingredients:

For Mint-Infused Simple Syrup:

  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup mint leaves

For Mojitos:

  • 1 large lemon, cut into 8 wedges
  • 6 large strawberries, very ripe
  • 20 mint leaves
  • 3 ounces fresh-squeezed lemon juice
  • 4 ounces Mint-Infused Simple Syrup
  • 6 ounces white or gold rum
  • 8 ounces seltzer
  • Ice

How to Make:

To prepare simple syrup: Combine water and sugar in a small pot. Set the pot over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Stir until sugar dissolves and then remove from heat. Add mint and allow to steep until the syrup has cooled. Strain and discard mint leaves.

To prepare mojitos, crush and muddle lemon wedges, strawberries and mint leaves with a wooden spoon in a large pitcher or deep bowl. Add fresh lemon juice, (4 ounces) mint simple syrup, rum, seltzer and 1 cup of ice. Stir vigorously before pouring through a strainer into a clean pitcher. Divide the mojito mixture between four glasses filled with crushed ice (or regular ice cubes). Garnish the glasses if you wish.

2. Wow-Worthy Watermelon Spritzer

Watermelon spritzer summer wedding cocktail
Photo: Allie Valley, The Boathouse Restaurant

Wow your wedding guests with a new spin on this classic summer fruit. This watermelon spritzer is an exciting summer treat for your big day.

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup diced watermelon
  • 2 fluid ounces watermelon vodka
  • 1 fluid ounce agave nectar
  • ¼ cup ice cubes
  • 2 fluid ounces club soda

How to Make:

Muddle watermelon in a cocktail shaker. Add vodka, agave nectar and 1/4 cup ice. Shake for 20 seconds. Strain over a Collins glass filled with ice. Top with club soda.

3. Sweet Citrus Rum Punch

Sweet citrus rum punch summer wedding cocktail
Photo: Allie Valley, The Boathouse Restaurant

This rum punch tastes just like a cup of summer sunshine. Enjoy a bounty of citrus flavors in this cocktail, including oranges and grapefruits.

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup sugar (optional)
  • 1/4 cup rum
  • 1 small lemon
  • 1 small lime
  • 1 orange
  • 1/4 grapefruit
  • 4 cups white wine, like a pinot grigio or Albarino

How to Make:

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Wash the citrus, slice, and add to the jar with sugar and rum; shake to combine.
Top citrus rum slurry with white wine and stir or shake.
Refrigerate for at least two hours or up to two days.
Strain and serve; garnish with fruit or top with seltzer if desired.

4. Hot and Spicy Margarita

Hot and spicy margarita summer wedding cocktail
Photo: Allie Valley, The Boathouse Restaurant

Add some summer heat to your cocktails with this spicy take on a margarita. But don't worry, this drink will still cool you off.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lime wedge
  • 2 jalapeno coins, seeds removed
  • 2 ounces jalapeno tequila
  • 1/2 ounce orange liqueur
  • 1 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
  • 1/2 ounce agave syrup
  • Garnish: Cajun salt
  • Garnish: jalapeno coin

How to Make:

To make a jalapeño margarita, rim a glass with salt and lime. Muddle jalapeño coins in a shaker, add tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice and agave syrup with ice. Shake and strain into the glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a jalapeño coin.

5. Cool as a Cucumber Lime Basil Spritzer

Cucumber lime basil spritzer summer wedding cocktail
Photo: Allie Valley, The Boathouse Restaurant

This refreshing drink combines sweet and smooth flavors for a taste like no other. You'll be cool as a cucumber when you take a sip of this cocktail.

Ingredients:

  • 1 Cucumber
  • 2 Limes
  • ½ cup simple syrup
  • 8 Basil Leaves
  • Prosecco

How to Make:

To make the cucumber basil-infused lime juice for Prosecco, squeeze lime juice into a glass. Add cucumber slices and basil leaves. Stir and refrigerate for a few hours. Mix with Prosecco and enjoy.

Summer Wedding Cocktail Ideas

We've rounded up some of our favorite cocktail inspo to help you create your bar menu. So check out these trendy summer drinks that will keep the party going during your special day.

6. Summer Nights Espresso Martini

Summer espresso martini wedding cocktail
Photo: Rene Zadori Photography

If you're not ready for the night to end, then this espresso martini is the perfect wake-up drink during your reception. Its smooth flavors will have you imagining you're at an Italian villa.

7. Wedding White Cosmopolitan

White cosmopolitan summer wedding cocktail
Photo: Jordan Maunder Photography,
Catering: GOODSTONE INN & RESTAURANT

Let the drinks match your dress with these white Cosmopolitans. The mini umbrellas are the perfect little touch for your summer shindig.

8. Pretty as a Peach Mule

Peach mule summer wedding cocktail
Photo: Janey Pakpahan Photography

Put a spin on those fresh, fruity drinks with some dried slices. This peach mule still has the taste of summer with a garnish that's mess-free.

9. Lovely Lemon Julep

A lemon and mint julep is a refreshing way to stay cool during your wedding. And how adorable is this custom bar sign with the couple's pet? There's no shortage of fun summer wedding ideas for your bar.

10. Watermelon Mint Agua Fresca

Watermelon mint agua fresca summer wedding cocktail
Photo: averyhouse
,
Catering: FIG Catering

Enjoy a slice of watermelon in a cup with this yummy summer cocktail. The lime and mint balance the sweetness for a tangy and refreshing sip each time.

11. Tropic Like It's Hot Mojito

Make your drink look like a summer sunset, like this multi-colored mojito. This is perfect for any tropical or beach wedding this sunny season.

12. Dancefloor Painkiller

If you like Piña Coladas (and getting caught in the rain), then you're going to love this twist on a classic cocktail. The Painkiller uses dark rum for a smokier flavor that'll have you coming back for more.

13. Fruity Mimosa Bar

If your summer wedding is at brunch time, then how about a mimosa bar? You can add different citrus flavors or add fresh fruit so guests can create their own unique concoction. (And this affordable option can even help cut costs on your wedding drinks.)

14. Bold Blackberry Vodka

Bold blackberry vodka summer wedding cocktail
Photo: Art Haus Foto,Catering: SipBar

Serve up a drink that's as dark as a summer night. These black vodka and blackberry cocktails are a deep, colorful choice that infuses seasonal fresh flavors.

15. Maui Coconut Porter

Get creative and add some tropical drinks to your bar menu, like this Hawaiian porter. This brings your favorite sunny locations (or even your honeymoon spot) to any wedding venue.

16. Adult Root Beer Floats

You're never too old for a root beer float, especially one that has some spirits. Add a touch of vodka to this icy treat for a fun twist on a nostalgic drink.

17. Blackberry Bramble Summer Slush

Turn any of your cocktails into a slushie to help cool off in the sun. This blackberry bramble is like sipping on a 7-Eleven Slurpee but with more elegance and fresh fruit taste.

18. Lavender Love Cocktail

Stay in that lavender haze with this pastel cocktail, perfect for your summer event. A sprig of lavender is just the ticket for a one-of-a-kind flavor.

19. Sparkler White Sangria

Celebrate your love with some fireworks in your cocktails. Well, sparkling pom-poms are probably safer, like these golden bobs that elevate a white sangria.

20. Swimmin' In the Blue Lagoon Cocktail

This blue drink will remind you of a dip in the ocean or pool. Try adding some light-up ice cubes into these drinks to brighten up your cups.

21. Garden Tea

Garden tea summer wedding cocktails
Photo: Annie Piland Photography,
Catering: Rosemary & Rye Catering

Sweet tea is one of the classic summer drinks, so why not put some spirits in this refreshing beverage? A garden tea even has a hint of floral flavor to remind you of summer blooms.

22. Petals and Palomas

This display takes things to the next level by adding some summer florals. You can even do two separate custom cocktails to match your and your new spouse's personalities.

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