14 Best Refreshing Cocktails

There’s something magical about the balance of sweet, tart, and crisp in a well-crafted cocktail. These 14 refreshing drinks combine fresh ingredients and simple techniques designed to elevate your cocktail game with minimal effort. 

Mojito

A mojito is a refreshing cocktail that combines mint, lime, and rum. It’s popular for its light and invigorating flavor. Here’s how you can make a classic mojito at home.

Ingredients:

• 5 fresh mint leaves
• 1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
• 1 1/2 oz. white rum
• 3/4 oz. simple syrup
• Club soda or seltzer
• Ice cubes
• Lime slices and mint sprigs for garnish

Instructions:

1. Place the mint leaves in a cocktail shaker.
2. Add lime juice and simple syrup.
3. Muddle the mint leaves gently with a muddler or wooden spoon to release their oils.
4. Add white rum to the shaker.
5. Fill the shaker halfway with ice.
6. Shake well until the shaker feels frosty (about 20 seconds).
7. Fill a tall glass one-third full of ice cubes.
8. Pour the mixture into the glass.
9. Top with club soda or seltzer.
10. Garnish with lime slices and mint sprigs.

Enjoy your refreshingly minty mojito!

Paloma

The Paloma is a refreshing tequila cocktail. It’s popular in Mexico and known for its simple ingredients and delightful taste.

Ingredients

• 2 oz tequila
• 1/2 oz lime juice
• 2 oz grapefruit juice (or grapefruit soda)
• Pinch of salt
• Ice
• Grapefruit soda (to top off)
• Lime wedge and grapefruit slice (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Divide tequila, lime juice, and grapefruit juice among glasses.
2. Add a pinch of salt to each glass.
3. Fill glasses three-quarters full with ice.
4. Stir the mixture to combine.
5. Top with grapefruit soda.
6. Garnish with a lime wedge and a grapefruit slice.

You don’t need any bar tools to make a Paloma. A highball glass works perfectly. This drink is excellent for any occasion and easy to prepare.

Traditional Palomas often use Jarritos grapefruit soda. If you can’t find it, use another grapefruit soda or mix fresh grapefruit juice with soda water.

Keep a jar of simple syrup in the fridge. You can use it to add some sweetness if desired. Just remember, the key to a good Paloma is balancing the flavors.

Aperol Spritz

The Aperol Spritz is a classic Italian cocktail. It’s known for its refreshing taste and bright orange hue. Perfect for warm days or as an aperitif.

Ingredients

• 3 oz Prosecco
• 2 oz Aperol
• 1 oz Club soda
• Orange slice for garnish
• Ice cubes

Instructions

1. Fill a wine glass with ice cubes.
2. Pour in 3 oz of Prosecco.
3. Add 2 oz of Aperol.
4. Top with 1 oz of club soda.
5. Stir gently to combine.
6. Garnish with an orange slice.

The combination of Prosecco, Aperol, and club soda creates a delightful mix. It balances sweetness and bitterness.

Serve it in a large wine glass. This enhances the visual appeal and allows the aromas to develop.

Caipirinha

The Caipirinha is Brazil’s national cocktail. It’s known for its refreshing taste and simplicity. The drink highlights the distinct flavor of cachaça, a Brazilian spirit.

You need just a few ingredients:

• 2 oz cachaça
• Half a lime
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• Ice cubes

Follow these steps:

1. Cut the lime into small wedges.
2. Place lime and sugar in a glass. Muddle until the sugar dissolves and the lime releases its juice.
3. Fill the glass with ice cubes.
4. Pour cachaça over the ice.
5. Stir well.

Cachaça gives this drink its unique profile. It’s made from fermented sugarcane juice, unlike rum, which comes from molasses. The lime and sugar balance the boldness of the spirit.

A well-made Caipirinha is both tangy and sweet. The ice keeps it cool and refreshing, perfect for warm weather.

Tom Collins

The Tom Collins is a classic gin-based cocktail. It has been around since the late 1800s. This cocktail is known for its refreshing, slightly dry taste.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 ounces gin
• 1 ounce lemon juice
• 1/2 ounce simple syrup
• Club soda
• Ice

Instructions

1. Fill a Collins glass with ice.
2. Add the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
3. Stir thoroughly.
4. Top up with club soda.
5. Garnish with a lemon slice or cherry for a traditional touch.

There are variations of the Tom Collins that you might enjoy.

For example, the Vodka Collins uses vodka instead of gin. The Joe Collins is another variant worth trying. It also uses vodka, but has different proportions for the ingredients.

Experimenting with different base spirits can lead to delightful discoveries. You can create your variation by adjusting the ratios to suit your taste.

Cucumber Gin Fizz

The Cucumber Gin Fizz is a refreshing and crisp cocktail. Perfect for a hot day, it combines the coolness of cucumber with the bite of gin.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz gin
• 4-5 cucumber slices
• 0.5 oz lime juice
• 0.5 oz simple syrup
• Club soda
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Muddle cucumber slices in a shaker to release their juice.
2. Add gin, lime juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.
3. Fill the shaker with ice and shake well.
4. Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice.
5. Top with club soda.
6. Garnish with a cucumber slice or lime wheel.

This cocktail is easy to make and is certain to be a crowd-pleaser at any summer gathering.

The zing of lime, combined with the cucumber’s coolness and the gin’s robustness, makes for a balanced and refreshing drink.

Mint Julep

The Mint Julep is a classic cocktail known for its refreshing taste. It’s often associated with the Kentucky Derby.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. bourbon whiskey
• 1/2 oz. simple syrup
• 8-10 fresh mint leaves
• Crushed ice
• Mint sprigs for garnish

Instructions:

1. Muddle mint leaves and simple syrup in a glass. Work gently to release the mint’s oils.
2. Add bourbon and pack the glass with crushed ice.
3. Stir until the glass becomes frosty.
4. Top with more crushed ice to form a dome.
5. Garnish with mint sprigs.

Pimm’s Cup

The Pimm’s Cup is a popular cocktail, especially during summer. It’s known for its refreshing taste and fruity garnishes.

To make a Pimm’s Cup, you’ll need:

• 2 oz Pimm’s No. 1
• Lemonade or Ginger Ale
• Sliced cucumber
• Mint sprig
• Assorted fruits (e.g., strawberries, orange wheels, lemon wheels)

Instructions

1. Fill a highball glass with ice cubes.
2. Pour in Pimm’s No. 1.
3. Top up with lemonade or ginger ale.
4. Garnish with cucumber slices, mint sprig, and assorted fruits.
5. Stir briefly to combine everything.

The Pimm’s Cup is simple yet versatile. You can adjust the fruits and herbs according to your preference.

Daiquiri

The Daiquiri is a classic cocktail. This rum drink is refreshing and simple to make.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz premium white rum
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 0.75 oz simple syrup
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Place ice in a cocktail shaker.
2. Add rum, lime juice, and simple syrup.
3. Shake well until chilled.
4. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Strawberry Daiquiri:

Ingredients:

• 2 oz white rum
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 0.5 oz simple syrup
• 1 cup fresh strawberries
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Blend all ingredients with ice until smooth.
2. Pour into a chilled glass.

There are many variations of the Daiquiri. Classic or frozen, each has its own charm. Using quality ingredients yields the best taste.

Fresh lime juice and premium rum are key.

Moscow Mule

The Moscow Mule is a refreshing cocktail with a unique blend of flavors. It was invented in the 1940s and has become a popular choice for many. You make it with vodka, lime juice, and ginger beer. The drink is traditionally served in a copper mug, adding to its appeal.

Ingredients

• 2 oz vodka
• ½ oz lime juice (freshly squeezed)
• 4-6 oz ginger beer
• Lime wedge (for garnish)
• Mint leaves (optional, for garnish)
• Ice

Instructions

1. Fill a copper mug with ice.
2. The cold temperature of the mug enhances the drink’s refreshing nature.
3. Pour the vodka and lime juice over the ice.
4. Stir to combine the liquids thoroughly.
5. Top off with ginger beer.
6. Use a high-quality ginger beer for the best results.
7. Garnish with a lime wedge.
8. Mint leaves can be added for an extra aromatic touch.
9. Serve immediately.
10. Enjoy the crisp and tangy flavors.

Tips

• Use fresh lime juice.
• This improves the overall taste significantly.
• Choose a good ginger beer.
• It adds the right amount of spice and sweetness.
• Chill the copper mugs.
• This maintains the drink’s refreshing quality for longer periods.

Gin and Tonic

The Gin and Tonic is a classic cocktail that’s enjoyed worldwide. It’s simple, refreshing, and easy to make.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. gin
• 4 oz. tonic water
• Ice
• Lime wedge for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Add 2 oz. of gin.
3. Pour in 4 oz. of tonic water.
4. Stir gently.
5. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Variations:

Experiment with different gins and tonic waters. Each can bring unique flavors to your Gin and Tonic. Here are a few ideas:

Grapefruit Gin and Tonic

• 0.5 oz. grapefruit juice
• 1.5 oz. Cinzano 1757 dry vermouth
• 0.5 oz. Nikka Gin
• 1.5 oz. London Essence Grapefruit & Rosemary Tonic

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a glass with ice.
2. Stir gently.
3. Garnish with a grapefruit slice or rosemary sprig.

Cherry Gin and Tonic

• 4 oz. premium tonic
• Lemon peel and black cherry for garnish
• Black cherry syrup: Combine sugar, water, and fresh black cherries in a shallow pan over low to medium heat.

Instructions:

1. Prepare the black cherry syrup.
2. Mix gin, tonic, and a splash of black cherry syrup in a glass with ice.
3. Stir gently.
4. Garnish with lemon peel and a black cherry.

Lemon Basil Smash

The Lemon Basil Smash is a refreshing cocktail that combines the tangy flavor of lemon with the aromatic scent of fresh basil. This cocktail is perfect for hot summer days.

Ingredients:

• 8 basil leaves
• 2 lemon pieces (from half lemon)
• 1 oz lemon juice
• 1 oz simple syrup
• 2 oz gin
• Ice
• Basil leaf for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Place the basil leaves and lemon pieces in a cocktail shaker.
2. Muddle the ingredients thoroughly until fragrant.
3. Add the lemon juice, simple syrup, and gin.
4. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously until well-chilled.
5. Strain the mixture into a chilled coupe or martini glass.
6. Garnish with a basil leaf if desired.

You get a cocktail that balances tart lemon juice and the unique flavor of basil.

Caipiroska

The Caipiroska is a variation of the Brazilian Caipirinha. It replaces cachaça with vodka. This makes it an easy and refreshing cocktail.

Ingredients:

• 1 lime, cut into 12 wedges
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 2 ounces vodka
• Crushed ice

Instructions:

1. Place six lime wedges in an old-fashioned glass.
2. Add 2 teaspoons of sugar.
3. Muddle the lime and sugar well.
4. Fill the glass with crushed ice.
5. Pour 2 ounces of vodka over the ice.
6. Stir gently.
7. Garnish with remaining lime wedges.

You can also try variations. For example, add tonic water for a fizzy twist. Replace lime with kiwifruit for a Kiwi Caipiroska. Simply dice kiwifruit and muddle with sugar and lime before adding vodka.

French 75

The French 75 is a classic cocktail that combines gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and Champagne. It’s light, refreshing, and perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ ounces gin
• ¾ ounce lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• ¾ ounce simple syrup
• 2 ounces chilled Champagne

Instructions:

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.
3. Shake until the mixture is well-chilled, about 15-20 seconds.
4. Strain the mixture into a champagne flute.
5. Slowly pour chilled Champagne into the flute.
6. Garnish with a lemon twist, if desired.