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Light & Refreshing Summer Cocktails

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1
3-Ingredient Piña Coladas (NO added sugar!)
This easy piña colada recipe is made with just 3 ingredients – frozen pineapple, coconut milk, and light rum – blended into the most refreshing, tropical frozen cocktail with NO added sugar! It comes together in just 5 minutes, makes a whole pitcher, and tastes exactly like the piña colada you'd order on a beach vacation. If you're looking for an easy, healthier piña colada recipe that's perfect for summer parties, this is the one to make this weekend!
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2
3-Ingredient Mango Margaritas
These mango margaritas are made with just 3 ingredients – frozen mango, tequila, and fresh lime juice – blended into the most refreshing, naturally sweet frozen cocktail you'll crave all summer! No added sugar, no triple sec, no complicated steps – just two minutes, three ingredients, and you've got a whole pitcher ready to go. If you're looking for an easy mango margarita recipe that's as easy as it is delicious, this is the one to make this weekend!
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3
two frozen watermelon margaritas with limes on the side.
3-Ingredient Frozen Watermelon Margaritas
These watermelon margaritas will be your new favorite summertime cocktail! With just three ingredients and a blender, you'll have the most delicious and refreshing frozen drink. Frozen watermelon, lime juice, and a splash (or two) of good quality tequila come together to make this best-ever, easy summer cocktail!
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4
frozen daiquiri with fresh limes on the side.
Mom’s BEST Frozen Daiquiri
Cool and refreshing frozen daiquiris, with a secret ingredient! My Mom's famous recipe for this best EVER frozen cocktail. Just four ingredients, perfectly sweet, and totally delicious.
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5
Sunset Spritz Mocktail
Light and refreshing sunset spritz mocktail! Fresh blueberries and pineapples, with a hint of lime, and plenty of bubbles. This sunset spritz mocktail is so tasty, you won't even miss the alcohol!
Check out this recipe
6
Mom’s Watermelon Paloma
This easy watermelon paloma recipe was developed by none other than my Mom! Consider her our resident bartender, and the only person I trust to make a really REALLY good drink. With fresh watermelon juice, a splash of lime, and a fizzy finish, this watermelon paloma will become your go-to summer cocktail!
Check out this recipe
7
skinny strawberry margarita in a glass with fresh strawberries and lime wedges on top.
Skinny Strawberry Margarita
A lighter, but just as delicious skinny strawberry margarita! Shake up one of these ice cold cocktails at your next Cinco de Mayo, Memorial Day, or summer party. Made with fresh-squeezed juice, good quality tequila, and fresh strawberries for an incredibly light and refreshing cocktail!
Check out this recipe
8
Pineapple margarita in a glass with a pineapple slice on the side.
4-Ingredient Pineapple Margarita
There are few things as good as an ice cold pineapple margarita! Shake up one of these fruity, but not-too-sweet drinks with just 4 ingredients. Best enjoyed on a hot summer day or at your next party!
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9
close-up of holding an aperol spritz.
The Perfect Aperol Spritz
The BEST summertime (or anytime!) cocktail – cool and refreshing Aperol spritz! Bubbly, citrusy, and never too sweet. Just three ingredients, and a white wine glass is all you'll need to make this delicious drink.
Check out this recipe
10
spicy margarita mocktail in a glass with a spicy tajin rim and a lime slice on top.
Spicy Margarita Mocktail (Non-Alcoholic)
This Spicy Margarita Mocktail is a refreshing, non-alcoholic drink made with fresh jalapeño, lime juice, and a splash of orange. It’s light, zesty, and perfect for hot summer days or your next mocktail happy hour. Made with just 5 simple ingredients and no alcohol, it's an easy, flavorful twist on the classic margarita!
Check out this recipe
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30 Minutes or Less

Spicy Margarita Mocktail

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spicy margarita mocktail in a glass with a spicy tajin rim and a lime slice on top.

At nearly 8 months pregnant, there are unfortunately no cocktails in my near future. But that won’t stop me from enjoying the occasional mocktail! My go-to since my last pregnancy was my sunset spritz mocktail, but recently I’ve reallyyyyy been craving a spicy margarita. Spicy margs are my absolute fave in the summer and with summer right around the corner, this craving made total sense. So I didn’t hesitate when it came to finding a way to enjoy my seasonal fave, without the alcohol. This spicy margarita mocktail in perfectly spicy, light, and refreshing – it’s basically everything I love about a spicy marg just without the alcohol (which also means without the hangover 😉)!

spicy margarita mocktail in a glass with fresh lime and jalapeno slices on the side.

Why You’ll Love This Spicy Margarita Mocktail

  • Non-Alcoholic: All the flavor of a classic margarita without the alcohol.
  • Light & Refreshing: Perfect for hot summer days or as a palate cleanser.
  • Simple Ingredients: Made with just 5 easy-to-find ingredients.
  • Customizable Heat: Adjust the spice level to your preference.
  • Versatile: Great for parties, brunches, or a relaxing evening.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add tequila?
Absolutely. To make this a traditional spicy margarita, add 1½ ounces of your preferred tequila before topping with club soda.

How do I make this less spicy or not spicy at all?
For a milder version, use fewer jalapeño slices or remove the seeds before muddling. To eliminate the spice entirely, omit the jalapeño.

What can I use instead of agave syrup?
Honey or simple syrup are great alternatives to agave syrup! Adjust the quantity to taste.

club soda being poured into a spicy margarita mocktail glass.

Sam’s Mocktail Tips

  • Chill Your Glass: Place your glass in the freezer for a few minutes before preparing the drink for an extra refreshing experience.
  • Experiment with Citrus: Try adding a splash of grapefruit juice for a different twist.
  • Make Ahead: Prepare the muddled mixture in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Add ice and club soda when ready to serve.
spicy margarita mocktail in a glass with a spicy tajin rim and a lime slice on top.
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Spicy Margarita Mocktail (Non-Alcoholic)

This Spicy Margarita Mocktail is a refreshing, non-alcoholic drink made with fresh jalapeño, lime juice, and a splash of orange. It’s light, zesty, and perfect for hot summer days or your next mocktail happy hour. Made with just 5 simple ingredients and no alcohol, it's an easy, flavorful twist on the classic margarita!
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Prep Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 3 minutes
Servings: 1 serving

Equipment

  • 1 cocktail glass

Ingredients

  • 2-3 slices fresh jalapeño
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice (one ounce)
  • 1 tablespoon agave syrup (half ounce)
  • 1/2 tablespoon orange juice (just a splash!)
  • 1 cup club soda or sparkling water (8 ounces)

For the spicy rim:

  • lime wedge
  • tajin

Instructions

  • For a spicy rim, run a lime wedge around the outside of the glass, then dip the glass in the tajin coating the entire rim in the seasoning.
  • Add the fresh jalapeño slices, lime juice, agave syrup, and orange juice to the bottom of the glass. Then, using either a muddler or the handle of a wooden spoon, muddle the jalapeño to release some of its flavor.
  • Fill the glass with ice, then top off the margarita with the club soda or sparkling water. Cheers!
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30 Minutes or Less

Mom’s Watermelon Paloma

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watermelon paloma in a glass with a lime slice and a small slice of watermelon.

A few weeks ago, my mom had her first watermelon paloma while out to lunch, and she was hooked! She even texted me about it, and almost immediately got to working on recreating it. I feel like now’s a good time to mention, especially if you’re new around here, that my Mom is the cocktail queen! Last year she shared her BEST-ever daiquiri recipe with us, and she makes a mean aperol spritz. And guess what? Her version turned out even better than the one she had a brunch!

It’s a refreshing blend of watermelon and tequila, finished off with fizzy grapefruit soda. But not just any grapefruit soda, Mom tested a few and found her favorite, which I outline in the ingredients below! This watermelon paloma is a must, especially as the warm weather lingers. It’s perfect for sipping with brunch, or at your next summer party. I’ll surely be cheers-ing to the last days of summer with this refreshing cocktail in hand!

overhead image of watermelon paloma with fresh mint for garnish.

What Makes this the BEST Watermelon Paloma

This Watermelon Paloma stands out because it perfectly balances sweet, tangy, and refreshing flavors. The use of fresh watermelon juice brings a vibrant, natural sweetness, while the lime juice adds a necessary tartness. Tequila is the perfect base, and the Fever Tree grapefruit soda takes it over the top! The salted rim is the final touch, and my favorite part, but feel free to leave it out if that’s not your thing. Mom actually doesn’t include a salted rim in her original recipe, she prefers no salt.

What You’ll Need to Make It

  • Fresh Watermelon Juice: The star of the show! Use ripe, juicy watermelon for the best flavor. You can find watermelon juice at some grocery stores, like Trader Joe’s!
  • Fresh Lime Juice: Adds a tangy kick, and is signature to a classic paloma recipe. Mom always recommends using fresh limes rather than bottled juice for maximum flavor.
  • Simple Syrup: Easily made at home by dissolving equal parts sugar and water. You can also purchase it from most grocery stores, or use agave instead!
  • Tequila: The quality of your tequila matters. Opt for a good silver tequila, like Patron Silver or Casamigos Blanco, for a smooth finish.
  • Fever Tree Grapefruit Soda: This soda is light, fizzy, and not too sweet, making it a perfect addition to the cocktail. You can find it at specialty grocery stores, most liquor stores, or online. However, if you can’t find Fever Tree grapefruit soda, feel free to use whatever grapefruit soda you can get your hands on.

How to Make Fresh Watermelon Juice

Making fresh watermelon juice is simple. Cut your watermelon into chunks, removing the seeds. Then, blend the chunks until smooth. Strain the juice through a fine mesh strainer to remove the pulp, and you’re ready to go! Fresh watermelon juice can be stored in the fridge for up to three days.

watermelon paloma in a glass with a lime slice and watermelon slice.

How to Make It

  1. Prepare the Glass: Rub a lime wedge around the rim of your glass. Dip the rim in salt, then fill the glass with ice.
  2. Mix the Cocktail: In a cocktail shaker, combine the watermelon juice, lime juice, simple syrup, and tequila. Add ice and shake vigorously for 30 seconds to a minute until the drink is well chilled.
  3. Pour and Serve: Pour the mixture into your prepared glass, then top it off with Fever Tree grapefruit soda. Garnish with a lime wedge or a small watermelon slice.

Switch Up the Flavor

  • Use Vodka Instead of Tequila: If you’re not a tequila fan, swap it out for vodka for a lighter, less intense flavor.
  • Experiment with Other Juices: While watermelon is Mom’s favorite (mine too!), you can try other fresh fruit juices like pineapple, strawberry, or peach for a different twist.
  • Make it a Mocktail: Simply leave out the tequila for a light and refreshing non-alcoholic watermelon paloma mocktail!

By following these tips and using high-quality ingredients, you’ll create the perfect watermelon paloma that everyone will love. Don’t forget to share your creations and tag me on Instagram—I can’t wait to see how you enjoy this drink!

watermelon paloma in a glass with a lime slice and a small slice of watermelon.
No ratings yet

Mom’s Watermelon Paloma

This easy watermelon paloma recipe was developed by none other than my Mom! Consider her our resident bartender, and the only person I trust to make a really REALLY good drink. With fresh watermelon juice, a splash of lime, and a fizzy finish, this watermelon paloma will become your go-to summer cocktail!
Print Pin Rate
Servings: 0

Ingredients

  • 3 ounces watermelon juice
  • 1 ounce fresh lime juice
  • 1 ounce simple syrup, or agave
  • 2 ounces tequila
  • 2-3 ounces grapefruit soda (Mom recommends Fever Tree grapefruit soda)

Instructions

  • Rub a lime wedge around the edge of a glass, then dip the rim of the glass in salt and fill the glass with ice.
  • Add the watermelon juice, lime juice, simple syrup, and tequila to a cocktail shaker with ice. Secure the shaker with a lid, then shake for 30 seconds to a minute, or until the drink is very cold.
  • Pop the lid off the shaker and pour the drink into your prepared glass. Then, fill the glass the rest of the way with grapefruit soda.
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30 Minutes or Less

Sunset Spritz Mocktail Recipe

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sunset spritz mocktail in a glass with fresh blueberries and pineapple on top.

Light and refreshing sunset spritz mocktail! Fresh blueberries and pineapples, with a hint of lime, and plenty of bubbles. This sunset spritz mocktail is so tasty, you won’t even miss the alcohol!

club soda being poured into a sunset spritz mocktail.

This mocktail is a recreation of one I enjoyed daily on my babymoon. No longer able to order an alcoholic beverage, I worked my way through the pool bar’s cocktail menu for a refreshing drink that’d still taste good without the alcohol. One day, I came across the “sunset spritz” and all ingredients sounded DELICIOUS. So I immediately ordered one …without the vodka. And OMG it was delicious! From there on out, the sunset spritz mocktail became my daily afternoon drink order. While best enjoyed poolside, I took the idea home with me and immediately recreated it. Now I can enjoy a fun, bubbly drink during happy hour (or really any hour!) that’s pregnancy-safe and oh-so good!

close-up image of sunset spritz mocktail with fresh bleuberries and pineapple on top.

What You’ll Need to Make a Sunset Spritz Mocktail

Fresh Blueberries and Pineapple – The fresh fruit in this recipe really puts it over the top! It makes this mocktail recipe feel fancy, without actually requiring a whole lot of effort. And if you don’t have fresh fruit, you can thaw frozen blueberries and pineapples instead for your drink.

Lime Juice – A touch of citrus perfectly balances the sweetness in this drink. The original recipe I enjoyed on my babymoon actually uses fresh lemon juice, but when I tried it at home I thought lime juice tasted just a little bit better. However, if you don’t have/like lime juice, feel free to use lemon instead!

Agave Nectar – I always keep a bottle of agave nectar in my bar cart for cocktail recipes! It’s a natural sweetener, and perfect replacement to simple syrup. I use agave nectar in many of my cocktail recipes, like this skinny strawberry margarita, and my Mom’s famous lime daiquiris!

Club Soda – A little bit of bubbles will make your sunset spritz mocktail taste like an actual cocktail! Put as much or as little club soda in your drink as you’d like. I personally prefer a super light and refreshing mocktail, so I fill my glass all the way to the top with unflavored club soda.

sunset spritz mocktail in a glass with fresh blueberries and pineapple on top.

Add Alcohol

  • Turn this mocktail recipe into a cocktail recipe with the addition of 1 ounce of vodka! I look forward to giving this a try post-pregnancy.
sunset spritz mocktail in a glass with fresh blueberries and pineapple on top.
5 from 5 votes

Sunset Spritz Mocktail Recipe

Light and refreshing sunset spritz mocktail! Fresh blueberries and pineapples, with a hint of lime, and plenty of bubbles. This sunset spritz mocktail is so tasty, you won’t even miss the alcohol!
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 3 minutes
Servings: 1 drink

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup fresh blueberries
  • 4-5 pineapple chunks
  • 1 ounce lime juice
  • 1 ounce agave nectar
  • club soda

Instructions

  • Add the fresh blueberries and pineapple chunks to a glass, then muddle until fruit is broken down.
  • Add in lime juice and agave nectar, then stir to combine.
  • Fill glass with ice, then top with club soda.

Nutrition

Calories: 300kcal
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30 Minutes or Less

The Perfect Aperol Spritz

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Two aperol spritz in white wine glasses with a bottle of aperol on the side.

Before diving into all things Aperol spritz, let me first introduce you to a “spritz Veneziano.” A spritz Veneziano is simply a wine-based cocktail containing prosecco, digestive bitter, and sparkling water. The digestive bitter in this particular spritz Veneziano is Aperol – which is where we get the name Aperol spritz!

What is Aperol?

Aperol is an Italia apéritif liquor. It’s bright orange with a citrus, slightly bitter flavor. It’s one of those things where on its own, it’s not so great, but when stirred into a spritz it’s INCREDIBLE. It offers a hint of orange flavor, without being overly sweet. It’s similar to Campari (if you’ve had that) but much less bitter!

What You’ll Need to Make an Aperol Spritz

Aperol – The star of our show! Conflicting recipes will suggest different amounts of Aperol for your spritz. However, I’ve tested this recipe a TON of times, and found that two ounces of Aperol made for the perfect cocktail!

Prosecco – This Italian white sparkling wine is traditional to this Italian cocktail. In my opinion, Prosecco is a must for your spritz. I prefer and recommend La Marca Prosecco – it’s crisp and delicious! Also, for a single-serve spritz, I love their mini Prosecco bottles.

Sparkling Water – The amount of sparkling water is totally up to you. For a lighter, more bubbly cocktail, pour in up to 4 ounces of seltzer water. Or, for a deeper, more flavorful cocktail, finish it off with just one ounce of sparkling water!

aperol being poured into an aperol spritz.

Tips and Tricks

  • Avoid over-stirring your drink. Intense stirring will result in a loss of carbonation. Therefore, your spritz won’t be nearly as bubbly and refreshing!
  • If you prefer the taste of a different aperitif liquer, feel free to use that instead! Campari, Contratto, or Lillet can all be used in place of the Aperol in this recipe.
  • For an extra cold drink, that won’t get watered down – slice, then freeze an orange before making. Then, use frozen orange slices as ice cubes in your Aperol Spritz. They’ll keep the drink cold, and will only add to its delicious, citrus flavor!

Want to keep the party going? Check out some of my other favorite Summer cocktails by clicking HERE.

close-up of holding an aperol spritz.
5 from 2 votes

The Perfect Aperol Spritz

The BEST summertime (or anytime!) cocktail – cool and refreshing Aperol spritz! Bubbly, citrusy, and never too sweet. Just three ingredients, and a white wine glass is all you’ll need to make this delicious drink.
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 2 minutes
Servings: 1 drink

Ingredients

  • 3 ounces Prosecco
  • 2 ounces Aperol
  • 1 ounce sparkling water
  • orange slice, for garnish

Instructions

  • Fill a white wine glass halfway with ice. Pour in Aperol, prosecco, and seltzer water, then gently stir to combine. Garnish with an orange slice and enjoy!

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