25 Cool Drinks for a Hot Day
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.
Hibiscus Mocktini
Mix equal parts hibiscus tea and ginger ale for a sparkling summer drink.
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Ginger Beer
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
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Espresso Slushy
Instant espresso gives a low-cal cool drink some kick.
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Raspberry Fizz
Top a ginger ale–cranberry juice combo with scoops of raspberry sorbet.
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Iced Green Tea With Ginger and Mint
Spice up a refreshing green iced tea with the flavors of fresh ginger and mint.
RELATED: Easy Infused Iced Teas
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Watermelon Mint Cooler
This summer drink is as juicy and refreshing as a slice of watermelon on a sweltering afternoon.
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Cucumber and Lime Spritzer
Slightly tart and brisk, this is a mocktail for grown-ups.
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Sparkling Pineapple Ginger Ale
Pineapple sweetens the tang of ginger ale for a cool drink with tropical vibes.
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Iced Tea With Plums and Thyme
Serve this fruit-and-herb blend as a nonalcoholic sipper or spike it with bourbon.
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Strawberry Thyme Lemonade
Give the traditional summer cooler a tweak with your favorite fresh fruit and herbs.
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Mixed Berry Shake
A frothy concoction of ice cream and berries is a sweet, satisfying treat, especially when the weather swelters.
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Cranberry Spritzer
This cranberry-apple-strawberry mash-up gets extra kick from a sugary rim garnish.
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Classic Margarita
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
Thank rum for this mango concoction's tropical punch.
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Lemongrass Paloma
This fresh cocktail is the perfect blend of tequila, grapefruit juice and an easy-to-make lemongrass simple syrup.
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Mai Tai
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!)
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White Sangria
Club soda adds fizz to white wine and a veritable fruit medley for a light, summery take on the standard sangria.
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Sparkling Passion Fruit Aperitifs
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
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Cucumber Saketini
Cucumber meets sake in an invigorating, cool cocktail.
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Boozy Dole Whip
Transport yourself to a tropical beach (or your favorite Disney park) with this fun pineapple-and-coconut frozen concoction.
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Berry-Vodka Spritzers
A vodka-and–club soda mix is chock-full of fresh fruit.
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Frosé
Freeze your favorite rosé into ice cubes so you can blend together this easy cocktail recipe for your next happy hour.
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Gin, Grapefruit, and Thyme Cocktail
Freshen up gin with an extra punch of herbs from your garden.
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Moscow Mule Slushy
Turn this popular vodka-and-ginger-beer cocktail into a slushy to help you really keep your cool.
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Cherry Gin Rickey
Cherry and lime make the perfect sweet-tart combination for this summery cocktail.