40 Cool Drinks for a Hot Day
Basil Lemonade
Credit: Ngoc Minh Ngo
Nonalcoholic Beverages
Credit: Ngoc Minh Ngo
Mix up this hibiscus-tea refresher in just 5 minutes.
Credit: Francesco Lagnese
Despite its name, Ginger Beer is kid-friendly.
Credit: Petrina Tinslay
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Upgrade iced tea with anything from ginger and honey to peach and mint.
Credit: James Baigrie
Instant espresso gives a low-cal drink some kick.
Credit: Charles Maraia
Top a ginger ale–cranberry juice combo with scoops of raspberry sorbet.
Credit: Charles Maraia
When life hands you lemons, make one of these versions of the hot-weather classic.
Credit: Antonis Achilleos
Green tea is spiced with ginger and mint.
Credit: Charles Maraia
As juicy and refreshing as a slice of watermelon on a sweltering afternoon.
Credit: Yunhee Kim
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Slightly tart and brisk, this is a drink for grown-ups.
Credit: Yunhee Kim
Pineapple sweetens the tang of ginger ale.
Credit: Yunhee Kim
Make store-bought lemonade special by adding fresh blueberries and mint.
Credit: Charles Masters
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Fresh strawberries are at the heart of these thick, rich, and totally decadent frappes.
Credit: James Baigrie
Serve this fruit-and-herb blend as a nonalcoholic sipper or spike it with bourbon.
Credit: Yunhee Kim
An old-fashioned treat: homemade ginger ale.
Credit: Maura McEvoy
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Lemon and mint give zing to bracing black tea.
Credit: Maura McEvoy
A frothy concoction of ice cream and berries is a sweet, satisying treat, especially when the weather swelters.
Credit: Quentin Bacon
This cranberry-apple-strawberry mash-up gets extra kick from a sugary rim garnish.
Credit: Alexandra Grablewski
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A lively version of lemonade fizzes with carbonated water.
Credit: Christopher Baker
Alcoholic Beverages
Credit: Beatriz da Costa
Triple Sec and lime give a margarita zest.
Credit: Dana Gallagher
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Apricot nectar is the secret of this sangria.
Credit: Francesco Lagnese
Three ingredients are all that’s needed for this bourbon cocktail.
Credit: Francesco Lagnese
Classic summer drinks: sangria, daiquiri, and margarita.
Credit: Quentin Bacon
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Thank rum for this mango concoction’s tropical punch.
Credit: Maura McEvoy
To garnish with olives or a twist? Take your pick.
Credit: Jeremy Samuelson
Champagne and pear nectar combine in a delicate drink.
Credit: William Meppem
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Learn how to mix up these standbys, plus 7 more party beverages.
Credit: Anita Calero
This take on the margarita features fresh strawberries and bananas.
Credit: Maura McEvoy
For an unconventional garnish, try a sprig of lavender or thyme.
Credit: Maura McEvoy
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Juicy berries and flavorful orange slices transform Rioja into sangria.
Credit: Maura McEvoy
Is it a drink or is it dessert? Perhaps a little bit of both.
Credit: Quentin Bacon
Club soda adds fizz to white wine and a veritable fruit medley.
Credit: Charles Maraia
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Lime slices are a tangy note in light, bubbly spritzers.
Credit: Johnny Valiant
If you wish, eliminate the vodka from this recipe for a refreshing, nonalcoholic quencher.
Credit: Maura McEvoy
Bring a bit of the beach to your backyard: a quartet of drinks (piña colada, mojito, and more) offer a tropical twist.
Credit: Kathryn Barnard and Greg Kessler
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Bubbles dance on the tongue with this fruit-flavored sipper.
Credit: Minh&Wass
Cucumber meets sake in an invigorating cocktail.
Credit: Francesco Lagnese
An icy take on an old favorite.
Credit: Maura McEvoy
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A vodka-and–club soda mix is chock-full of fresh fruit.
Credit: Rob Howard