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  5. 25 Cool Drinks for a Hot Day

25 Cool Drinks for a Hot Day

Real Simple Author
By Real Simple Editors Updated July 07, 2021
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Cherry Gin Rickey
Credit: Victor Protasio

Whether you're looking for the perfect iced tea, a kicked-up lemonade, or a fabulous tropical cocktail, a sip or two from this collection of summer drinks will help cool you off when the weather gets hot.

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1 of 25

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Hibiscus Mocktini

Hibiscus Mocktini
Credit: Francesco Lagnese
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Mix equal parts hibiscus tea and ginger ale for a sparkling summer drink.

1 of 25

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2 of 25

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Ginger Beer

Ginger Beer
Credit: Petrina Tinslay
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Despite its name, ginger beer is a kid-friendly summer drink. This homemade version can be served on its own, or can help you kick your standard Moscow Mule or Dark and Stormy up a notch. 

RELATED: How to Make a Moscow Mule

2 of 25

3 of 25

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Espresso Slushy

Espresso Slushy
Credit: Charles Maraia
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Instant espresso gives a low-cal cool drink some kick.

3 of 25

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4 of 25

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Raspberry Fizz

Raspberry Fizz
Credit: Charles Maraia
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Top a ginger ale–cranberry juice combo with scoops of raspberry sorbet.

4 of 25

5 of 25

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Iced Green Tea With Ginger and Mint

Iced Green Tea With Ginger and Mint
Credit: Charles Maraia
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Spice up a refreshing green iced tea with the flavors of fresh ginger and mint.

RELATED: Easy Infused Iced Teas

5 of 25

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Watermelon Mint Cooler

Watermelon-Mint Cooler
Credit: Yunhee Kim
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This summer drink is as juicy and refreshing as a slice of watermelon on a sweltering afternoon.

6 of 25

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7 of 25

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Cucumber and Lime Spritzer

Cucumber and Lime Spritzer
Credit: Yunhee Kim
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Slightly tart and brisk, this is a mocktail for grown-ups. 

7 of 25

8 of 25

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Sparkling Pineapple Ginger Ale

Sparkling Pineapple Ginger Ale
Credit: Yunhee Kim
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Pineapple sweetens the tang of ginger ale for a cool drink with tropical vibes.

8 of 25

9 of 25

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Iced Tea With Plums and Thyme

Iced Tea With Plums and Thyme
Credit: Yunhee Kim
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Serve this fruit-and-herb blend as a nonalcoholic sipper or spike it with bourbon. 

9 of 25

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10 of 25

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Strawberry Thyme Lemonade

Strawberry-Thyme Lemonade
Credit: Danny Kim
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Give the traditional summer cooler a tweak with your favorite fresh fruit and herbs. 

10 of 25

11 of 25

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Mixed Berry Shake

Mixed-Berry Shake
Credit: Quentin Bacon
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A frothy concoction of ice cream and berries is a sweet, satisfying treat, especially when the weather swelters.

11 of 25

12 of 25

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Cranberry Spritzer

Cranberry Spritzer
Credit: Alexandra Grablewski
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This cranberry-apple-strawberry mash-up gets extra kick from a sugary rim garnish. 

12 of 25

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13 of 25

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Classic Margarita

Classic Margaritas
Credit: Dana Gallagher
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Triple Sec and lime give a margarita zest—and you can't beat this classic summer cocktail for helping you cool off.

Related: These Tropical Cocktails Will Help You Feel Like You're on Vacation

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Mango Colada

Mango Colada
Credit: Maura McEvoy
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Thank rum for this mango concoction's tropical punch. 

14 of 25

15 of 25

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Lemongrass Paloma

Lemongrass Paloma
Credit: Greg Dupree
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This fresh cocktail is the perfect blend of tequila, grapefruit juice and an easy-to-make lemongrass simple syrup.

15 of 25

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16 of 25

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Mai Tai

Mai Tai
Credit: Antonis Achilleos
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This classic tropical cocktail combines pineapple, lime, and maraschino cherry juice with rum and Curacao for a fun and festive drink. (Don't forget the pineapple and maraschino garnish!)

16 of 25

17 of 25

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White Sangria

White Sangria
Credit: Charles Maraia
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Club soda adds fizz to white wine and a veritable fruit medley for a light, summery take on the standard sangria.

17 of 25

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Sparkling Passion Fruit Aperitifs

Sparkling Passion-Fruit Aperitifs
Credit: Minh&Wass
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Bubbles dance on the tongue with this fruit-flavored sipper that requires just two ingredients—passion fruit nectar and sparkling wine. 

Related: Perfect Champagne Cocktails

18 of 25

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19 of 25

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Cucumber Saketini

Cucumber Saketini
Credit: Francesco Lagnese
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Cucumber meets sake in an invigorating, cool cocktail. 

19 of 25

20 of 25

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Boozy Dole Whip

boozy dole whip
Credit: Debbie Galbraith/Getty Images
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Transport yourself to a tropical beach (or your favorite Disney park) with this fun pineapple-and-coconut frozen concoction.

20 of 25

21 of 25

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Berry-Vodka Spritzers

Berry Vodka Spritzers
Credit: Rob Howard
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A vodka-and–club soda mix is chock-full of fresh fruit.

21 of 25

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22 of 25

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Frosé

The Easiest-Ever Way to Make Frosé (Frozen Rosé) At Home
Credit: bhofack2
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Freeze your favorite rosé into ice cubes so you can blend together this easy cocktail recipe for your next happy hour. 

22 of 25

23 of 25

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Gin, Grapefruit, and Thyme Cocktail

Gin, Grapefruit, and Thyme Cocktail
Credit: Levi Brown
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Freshen up gin with an extra punch of herbs from your garden. 

23 of 25

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Moscow Mule Slushy

moscow-mule-recipe-tout
Credit: Getty Images
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Turn this popular vodka-and-ginger-beer cocktail into a slushy to help you really keep your cool. 

24 of 25

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25 of 25

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Cherry Gin Rickey

Cherry Gin Rickey
Credit: Victor Protasio
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Cherry and lime make the perfect sweet-tart combination for this summery cocktail. 

25 of 25

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    1 of 25 Hibiscus Mocktini
    2 of 25 Ginger Beer
    3 of 25 Espresso Slushy
    4 of 25 Raspberry Fizz
    5 of 25 Iced Green Tea With Ginger and Mint
    6 of 25 Watermelon Mint Cooler
    7 of 25 Cucumber and Lime Spritzer
    8 of 25 Sparkling Pineapple Ginger Ale
    9 of 25 Iced Tea With Plums and Thyme
    10 of 25 Strawberry Thyme Lemonade
    11 of 25 Mixed Berry Shake
    12 of 25 Cranberry Spritzer
    13 of 25 Classic Margarita
    14 of 25 Mango Colada
    15 of 25 Lemongrass Paloma
    16 of 25 Mai Tai
    17 of 25 White Sangria
    18 of 25 Sparkling Passion Fruit Aperitifs
    19 of 25 Cucumber Saketini
    20 of 25 Boozy Dole Whip
    21 of 25 Berry-Vodka Spritzers
    22 of 25 Frosé
    23 of 25 Gin, Grapefruit, and Thyme Cocktail
    24 of 25 Moscow Mule Slushy
    25 of 25 Cherry Gin Rickey

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