The Recipe Nest

Drinks to Keep You Cool This Summer – Easy, Refreshing, and Crowd Pleasing

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When the heat hits, nothing satisfies quite like a cold drink in hand. Whether you’re lounging by the pool, hosting a backyard BBQ, or just trying to make it through a scorching afternoon, these refreshing summer drinks are here to help you stay cool. From icy cocktails to fruity mocktails and thirst-quenching sips for the whole family, this collection of cold drink recipes has something for everyone. Get ready to beat the heat – one delicious sip at a time.

1 Limoncello Spritz

Three limoncello spritz garnished with mint and a yellow straw being served on a long wooden board. In the background are the limoncello and prosecco bottles, and in the foreground in the bottom right a fresh lemon is peeking in to the scene.

Capture that golden, laid-back feeling of summer in a glass. With its zesty citrus punch, gentle sparkle, and just the right touch of sweetness, this Italian cocktail is the perfect companion for patio lounging, brunches, or impromptu happy hours. Whether you’re dreaming of the Amalfi Coast or just craving something refreshing and easy to make, this vibrant spritz is your ticket to sipping sunshine.

2 Cold Brew Tea

Side shot of two pint glasses on a silver serving tray. Each glass is filled with ice and cold brew tea. Each glass has lemon wheels floating between the ice and the side of the glass, and each are garnished with fresh mint and half a lemon wheel on the edge of the rim. Each also have a light blue and white straw. A basket of lemons are in the background.

Few things are as satisfying as a tall glass of iced tea on a hot summer’s day. A beloved tradition in the American South, cold brewed iced tea offers a smoother, more refreshing twist on the classic. Slowly steeped in cold water, it brings out the tea’s natural sweetness without any bitterness. Perfect for porch sipping, backyard lounging, or simply cooling off after a sun-soaked day. Simple, timeless, it’s the ultimate summer refreshment.

3 Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew

Close up side shot of making a vanilla sweet cream cold brew in a pint glass. The glass is filled with cold brew and ice. Vanilla sweet cream is being poured on to the top surface of the drink, and it is beginning to cascade and swirl with the dark coffee below.

It’s hard to resist this vanilla sweet cream cold brew with its rich, refreshing, and slightly sweet vanilla flavor to make it feel like a treat. This coffeehouse favorite combines bold cold brew with a splash of homemade vanilla cream, creating a silky drink that’s both energizing and indulgent. So skip the café line with this easy recipe and bring the perfect balance of flavor and caffeine right to your home.

4 Pineapple Jalapeno Margarita

Side angle shot of a low ball glass filled with ice and a gentle yellow pineapple jalapeno margarita. The rim of the glass is rimmed with tajin and sugar. There is a cocktail pick running across the top of the glass with a slice of pineapple and a thin slice of jalapeno on top. In the glass there are two slices of jalapeno floating between the ice and the side of the glass.

This Pineapple Jalapeno Margarita is all sunshine with a little sass. Sweet pineapple brings the tropical vibes, while jalapeno adds just a whisper of intrigue – more flavor than fire. It’s the perfect sip for poolside lounging, backyard BBQs, or sunset happy hours. If on the rocks isn’t your thing, throw it all in a blender to make a slushy version – the choice is yours.

5 Cherry Limeade

Close up shot looking down on a plastic glass filled with ice and bright red/pink cherry limeade. The drink is garnished with a lime slice as well as a maraschino cherry.
Photo courtesy of Stephanie Demming from “The Chaotic Table”

This cherry limeade brings back memories of hanging out at the fair as a kid. Love the flavor of lime and sweet cherries!

6 Thai Iced Tea

Making a Thai Iced tea. A tall glass filled with ice has a dark tea in it filled almost full. A small ceramic white jug filled with a creamy milk is being poured overtop of the ice and creamy swirls are forming in the dark tea itself.

Whether you’ve sipped this sweet, creamy drink in the bustling streets of Thailand or discovered it at a local Thai restaurant, one thing is clear – this isn’t your average iced tea. It starts with strong black tea, a touch of vanilla for depth, and finishes with a luscious swirl of sweetened condensed and evaporated milk over ice. Best of all, it’s easier to make than you might think—and you probably have everything you need right in your pantry.

7 Watermelon Agua Fresca

A large glass of watermelon agua fresca. The rim is salted and the red drink is garnished with a splayed out lime wheel on a bamboo cocktail pick. A sliced in half lime is resting up against the glass as well.

What’s more thirst-quenching than a refreshing glass of watermelon agua fresca? This fruity drink not only helps keep you hydrated, but it’s also far more exciting than plain old water. With its sugared rim and eye-catching garnish, this mocktail is sure to delight.

8 Ginger Beer Mocktail

Ginger beer cocktail is a clear fizzy liquid served in a copper mug and it is garnished with lime and fresh mint. The cup is also filled with ice, and condensation is dripping down the copper mug.
Photo Courtesy of Mallory from “Mallory the Dietician”

This fast and easy mocktail has all the flavor of a Moscow Mule, but none of the alcohol. Serve it in a copper mug for an authentic Moscow Mule vibe.

9 Madras Cocktail

Two tall glasses are filled with a red drink called madras cocktail. The glasses are each garnished with a lime wheel perched on the lip of the glass, and each glass has a red and white striped straw. Both drinks are filled with with. In the background is a jug of orange juice, a bottle of vodka, and fresh oranges and limes.
Photo Courtesy of Eva from “My Rad Kitchen”

This cocktail is both sweet and tart making it perfect for summertime sipping over ice.

10 Malibu Sunset Cocktail

A close up side shot of a malibu sunrise cocktail served in a stemless wine glass. The drink itself is red at the bottom and as you go up the glass the color turns from red to orange. Garnished on top of the ice is a bright red maraschino cherry, and on the edge of the glass is a wedge of fresh pineapple, and a slice of orange.
Photo Courtesy of Kristin from “The Cookin’ Chicks”

This vibrant beachy cocktail tastes as vibrant as it looks! Great for when you are looking for that beach resort vibe.

11 Mango Milkshake

A close up side shot of a mango milkshake served in a highball glass. The bright orange milkshake is topped with thick whip cream and has a stainless steel straw.
Photo Courtesy of Gabby from the “Cookie Dough Diaries”

Creamy, sweet, and full of mango flavor – perfect for cooling down and satisfying that sweet tooth. This recipe provides a dessert version and a more health conscious version for your choosing.

If you try one of these great drink recipes, let me know how it went in the comments below. I’m always excited to hear from readers. Stay cool!

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