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A collage of Valentine's decor: a floral wreath, two "Happy Valentine's Day" candles, heart-shaped cookies with sweet messages, and a cozy bedroom featuring pink crafts like pillows and a flower wall art.

Best Summer Drinks

Saturday Chitchat
By Janine Waite ·
Affiliate Disclosure: This Post May Contain Affiliate Links.

Let’s sip into the season with this collection of the Best Summer Drinks, including sweet, easy, and delectable recipes. There’s nothing better than sipping a refreshing drink during the hot summer months. The sun is shining, the days are longer, and whether you’re lounging by the pool, hosting a backyard BBQ, or just looking for something delicious to cool you down, summer beverages are a must! A cold drink can make all the difference on a scorching afternoon, bringing that perfect balance of hydration and flavor. There’s a summer recipe for everyone, from fruity blends with fresh ingredients to sweet and icy drinks that feel like a summer vacation in a glass. 

Discover the best summer drinks: A creamy beverage in a mason jar with a pink straw, an orange delight with a pink umbrella, a pitcher and glass of fruit-filled punch, and two glasses of purple smoothie topped with whipped cream. Refreshment awaits!.

Whether you love the tangy zest of citrus, the tropical notes of coconut and pineapple, or the crisp fizz of a refreshing iced tea, summer drinks are all about embracing bold flavors and keeping things light and cool. 

The best part? They’re easy to make and perfect for any occasion—whether you’re whipping up a quick afternoon refresher or crafting a signature drink for your next summer party.

Saturday Chitchat with Janine – Volume 206

If you’re looking for the best drink recipes for summer, you’ve come to the right place! Get ready to sip, chill, and enjoy the ultimate lineup of refreshing summer beverages.

Refreshing and Delicious Summer Beverages

Summer drinks should be light, hydrating, and packed with flavor. 

Whether you prefer something fizzy, fruity, or creamy, there’s a drink recipe perfect for every occasion.

Cheers to a Refreshing Summer!

No summer is complete without a lineup of delicious drinks to keep you cool and refreshed. 

These summer drink recipes are perfect for every occasion, whether making a fruity smoothie, a fun frozen slushie, or a simple iced tea.

A Personal Note from Janine

mocktail with grapefruit juice
A lush, green landscape with rolling hills and a few scattered trees creates an inviting setting, much like enjoying the best summer drinks. The sunlight illuminates the grass, creating a vivid scene as the hills stretch into the distance where a dense forest is visible under a clear sky.
A refreshing mojito in a clear glass garnished with a lime slice and mint leaves. Ice cubes fill the glass, with herbs visible in the drink. A bowl of limes and a vase of daisies are blurred in the background.

Spring has officially arrived here in the San Francisco Bay Area! The hills are lush and green (for now!), and everything is starting to bud and bloom. As the days warm up, my mind is already drifting to summer evenings on the patio, sipping something refreshing and soaking in the golden hour glow.

Once the temps rise, we always keep our kitchen stocked with lemons, limes, sparkling water, grapefruits, and Fever Tree drinks—our go-to for easy, delicious cocktails and mocktails. Lately, though, I have to say the strawberry basil combo is giving our classic citrus mix a run for its money!

Honestly, just writing this has me craving both. 🍹✨

So grab your favorite drink, and let’s kick back and enjoy this beautiful Saturday together!

Cheers,

The image displays the cursive word "janine" in light gray text on a white background.

This Week’s Inspiration – Best Summer Drinks

A refreshing strawberry basil cocktail with crushed strawberries, ice, and garnished with two small white flowers. Surrounded by fresh strawberries, lime slices, and basil leaves on a light background.

Strawberry Basil Cocktail Recipe

A Strawberry Basil Cocktail Recipe is the perfect summer drink, offering a delightful balance of sweet, herbaceous, and citrusy flavors. A splash of fresh lime juice and a hint of simple syrup balance the flavors, creating a well-rounded, easy-to-make cocktail.

Serve this strawberry basil drink over ice for a stunning and delicious addition to any summer gathering!

A creamy lemonade smoothie is elegantly served in a textured glass with a pink straw, resting on a marble surface. Nearby, a sliced lemon and pink-checked napkin enhance the scene, while blurred pink flowers create the perfect backdrop for one of the best summer drinks.

Frozen Lemonade Recipe

This Frozen Lemonade Recipe is refreshingly simple and perfect for hot summer days. With just three ingredients, it’s easy to make and deliciously unique, thanks to the addition of sweetened condensed milk.

Blend it in your Vitamix and enjoy!

Two glasses of a vibrant pink smoothie, hailed as one of the best summer drinks, are topped with whipped cream and placed on a table. The soft-focus pink flowers and pastel-colored candles in the background create a cozy and inviting atmosphere.

Barbie Drink Recipe

Starbucks’ Secret Barbie Drink Recipe is a frappuccino that is not listed on the menu, so be sure to request it!

This version features strawberries, acai, coconut milk, vanilla syrup, dragon fruit, ice cubes, and whipped cream, all in a gorgeous pink hue reminiscent of the Barbie movie starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, directed by Greta Gerwig.

A vibrant blue cocktail in a glass with a sugared rim, garnished with a pink paper umbrella, ranks among the best summer drinks. The backdrop of hydrangeas and halved limes enhances its allure, while decorative umbrellas and petals are scattered around the glass.

Mermaid Drink Recipe

This fun and festive Mermaid Water Drink has coconut and pineapple flavors that are so refreshing and yummy.

It’s a delightful cocktail that combines the tropical essence of pineapple juice, the mesmerizing blue hue of Blue Curacao, and the smooth, coconut-infused charm of Malibu Coconut Rum.

A colorful drink in a glass with crushed ice and layers of pink and orange hues. Topped with a scoop of ice cream and sprinkled with bits of pink and yellow sprinkles, this is one of the best summer drinks. A striped straw graces the glass, while another similar drink lingers enticingly in the background.

Pineapple Cranberry Juice Drink

This Pineapple Cranberry Juice Drink topped with vanilla ice cream brings together the tartness of cranberries, the tropical sweetness of pineapple, and the creamy goodness of vanilla ice cream.

It’s a refreshing and indulgent treat.

A creamy tropical drink, hailed as one of the best summer drinks, is served in a glass adorned with white and yellow flowers. The glass boasts a small paper umbrella and a pineapple wedge on the rim. Another similar concoction graces the background on a yellow checkered cloth.

Pina Colada Mocktail Recipe

This Pina Colada Mocktail Recipe is one of my favorites! It’s a refreshing tropical drink that’s perfect for sipping on a hot day. The classic ingredients are pineapple juice, coconut cream, and ice, but you can also add some lime juice and sugar syrup to give it a bit of extra flavor.

I like to blend it all until it’s nice and smooth, then garnish it with a slice of fresh pineapple or a cute little umbrella for extra flair.

A refreshing orange drink in a clear glass with a sugared rim, garnished with a pink paper umbrella—it captures the essence of best summer drinks. The scene is completed by a light and airy background, with a green striped cloth at the bottom.

Grapefruit Mocktail Recipe

This Grapefruit Mocktail Recipe with lime juice is a refreshing and tangy combination. The bitterness of grapefruit is nicely balanced out by the sourness of lime juice, making for a delicious and zesty drink.

Also, to balance the tanginess, I like adding a dash of agave syrup. And if you want to make a killer fruity drink, crushed ice is a must-have ingredient!

A chilled glass of apple cider, one of the best summer drinks, sits on a table with ice and a cinnamon stick. In the background, a bottle, another glass of cider, apples, and scattered cinnamon sticks complete this bright and inviting scene.

Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail

Celebrate the fall with this Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail. It’s a crisp, sweet drink with a little hint of cinnamon.

It’s a simple drink to make, and it’s so refreshing and perfect when you have a lot of fresh cider in your home!

A glass and pitcher of peach sangria, one of the best summer drinks, sit on a table. Filled with peach slices and ice cubes, the glass is garnished with a small flower and mint leaf, while a sliced peach and orange wedge are nearby.

White Wine Sangria Peach Recipe

Try this White Wine Sangria Peach recipe if you like a light and refreshing drink. This Sangria has a surprising twist: a sparkling white wine with peaches.

And to elevate this cocktail, add plenty of fresh peaches to the drink!

Two glasses of vibrant pink dragon fruit smoothie, among the best summer drinks, are topped with white froth on a pastel purple surface. Blue and purple flowers are scattered around, crafting a fresh and colorful setting.

How to Make a Dragon Fruit Refresher

Now that summer is around the corner, and I always crave a nice cold fruity drink. Starbucks has this drink a, Dragon Fruit Refresher, on its menu, and I came up with my version.

I created a drink that includes coconut milk, apple and mango juice, agave syrup, dragon powder, and fruit.

Three glasses of iced tea infused with strawberry and lemon slices sit on a table. A large glass pitcher filled with the same refreshing blend is in the background. The table, covered with a light blue cloth, showcases one of the best summer drinks, creating a summery atmosphere.

How to Make Sun Tea

Sun tea is such an easy summer beverage to make that it is also inexpensive. Suppose you happen to have a cloudy day, no worries.

Place the tea in your home and let it steep indoors. Here’s a tutorial on How to Make Sun Tea with a large glass container and a few teabags. 

Two tall glasses of the best summer drinks, a vibrant orange and red layered delight, topped with ice. Each glass is garnished with a slice of orange and pineapple and includes a striped straw. Nearby, a bowl brims with fresh orange and pineapple slices.

Planter’s Punch Ingredients for Rum Cocktail

My husband’s Planter’s Punch recipe has just a few ingredients. It’s a refreshing drink that is fruity and sweet and a wonderful summer cocktail.

Everyone loves this summer cold drink!

A glass of Dalgona coffee, one of the best summer drinks, sits on a table showcasing layers of frothy cream and dark coffee. Nearby, a spoon and blue-patterned napkin add charm, while a bowl and jug softly blur in the background.

Dalgona Coffee Recipe

If you are over on the popular social media platform TikTok, you’ll get sucked into the fantastic food videos.

So when I found accounts making this Dalgona Coffee Recipe, I knew I had to make it!

A colorful bouquet of sunflowers and red dahlias in a glass vase sits on a table. In the foreground are glasses of the best summer drinks, infused with fresh cherries and peaches. A blue and white striped cloth adds a summery vibe.

Fruity Sangria Recipe

Here is a Super Fruity Sangria Recipe that is perfect for a summer party. It’s a simple, delicious summer drink that’s great for entertaining. I love fruit, and this summertime drink infuses brandy and red wine into the fresh yummy fruit.

On a warm summer day, this cold drink goes well with a BBQ dinner!

More Summer Drinks From My Friends

A glass of iced berry drink, one of the best summer drinks, sits on a rustic wooden table, garnished with blueberries. It's beside a white decorative vase filled with pink flowers. Bright natural light filters through a window in the background.

Five Best Iced Tea Recipes

That blog post from Leslie shares five refreshing iced tea recipes, perfect for any season but especially great for warmer days. The recipes feature unique flavors, from fruity blends to herbal infusions, making them a great addition to any gathering or a simple treat for yourself.

Three iced tea glasses with lime slices on the rims rest on a table, embodying the essence of the best summer drinks. Whole limes sit nearby, while in the background, a cupcake on a plate and assorted fruit complete this refreshing scene.

Easy Peach Sweet Tea

The post by KariAnne shares a delightful recipe for easy peach sweet tea, combining the classic Southern charm of sweet tea with the refreshing, juicy flavor of peaches. This recipe is perfect for summer gatherings, porch sipping, or just a simple way to add a fruity twist to your everyday tea!

A layered matcha iced latte in a clear glass, adorned with a sprig and a strawberry slice on the rim, exemplifies one of the best summer drinks. Another glass sits in the background, with fresh strawberry slices and a smear of jam on the marble surface beside it.

Iced Strawberry Milk Matcha Latte

This post features a unique and refreshing drink, blending creamy homemade strawberry milk with earthy matcha for a beautifully layered drink. This recipe offers a balance of natural sweetness from fresh strawberries and the antioxidant-rich benefits of matcha, making it both delicious and nourishing!

Latest Obsession – San Pellegrino’s Sparkling Water

Cans of Sanpellegrino Zero sparkling drinks, reminiscent of a refined black cocktail drink, are displayed in three enticing flavors: Blood Orange, Pomegranate & Orange, and Lemon & Clementine. Each can proudly claims "Made with Real Fruit Juice" and "0% Added Sugar.

San Pellegrino Sparkling Water with Fruit Juices

I’m obsessed with these refreshing drinks! They have a hint of fruit juice, but the whole can is just 20 calories—not bad. I have one every day with lunch, and I absolutely love them! 🍹✨

This Week’s Tip – Muddler

A sleek, stainless steel cocktail muddler with a black textured tip, ideal for crafting the perfect strawberry basil cocktail. Beside it rests its packaging box adorned with silhouettes of people making cocktails. The word "BARVIVO" is elegantly engraved on the handle.

Drink Muddler

I had no idea what a cocktail muddler was until a few years ago, but now I can’t make a fruit drink without it! This little tool is a game-changer for smashing fruits and releasing fresh flavors. If you love making refreshing cocktails or mocktails, it’s worth having on hand! 🍹✨

My Amazon Finds – Summer Drinks

Two double-walled glass mugs are shown. One is filled with iced coffee, the best summer drink, while the other remains empty. The transparent design highlights the beverage and ice cubes in the first mug. Both mugs have handles, perfect for enjoying your refreshment outdoors.
A lineup of colorful handheld milk frothers, including silver, pink, black, green, yellow, and blue—perfect for whipping up the best summer drinks. Scattered coffee beans add charm to the scene. A boxed silver frother with a red bow is also shown.
Four textured glass tumblers filled with colorful beverages, embodying the best summer drinks. The drinks range in color from pink to orange and light yellow, each brimming with ice cubes and garnishes like berries, citrus slices, and mint leaves.
A bright, colorful package of Pitaya Foods organic 100% fruit freeze-dried dragon fruit powder, ideal for crafting the best summer drinks. The design features vibrant pink and green dragon fruit illustrations on a white background. The 4 oz (113g) pack is labeled non-GMO and USDA organic.
A clear glass teapot showcases blooming tea flowers, a delightful addition to the best summer drinks. Nearby sit glass cups, two tea flower balls, and a packet labeled "2 Tea Flowers Included," with colorful blooms gracefully opening in hot water.
Two glass beverage dispensers on a wooden stand showcase the best summer drinks. The left holds "Lemon Fizz" with lime slices, while the right offers "Fruit Juice" featuring orange slices and berries. Both have wooden lids and metal spouts, making them perfect for refreshing gatherings.

Hey there!

So grab your favorite glass, add some ice, and sip through the season with the best summer beverages!

What’s your go-to summer drink? Let me know in the comments!

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Janine Waite
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