Five Refreshing Summer Cocktails to Try

For kids, summer means endless free time for trips to the beach, lemonade stands, and exploring the neighborhood with friends. For adults, summer is often marked by long days in an office counting down the minutes until five o’clock, when they can hit the Happy Hour circuit and squeeze in some patio time before the last precious hours of sunlight bid adieu.

Maybe we’ve lost our innocence along with our sand pails and scooters, but to us grown-ups, summer means the arrival of socially acceptable day drinking and a whole new breed of cocktails. And of all the seasonal booze, aren’t summer cocktails the best?

Here are five (plus some, because we’re cool that way) summer cocktails you need to try:

For the Sweets Lover: Hot summer days bring to mind memories of chasing down the ice cream truck or standing in line for a savory cone at your favorite local ice cream parlor. Embrace your taste for sweets – and get a little boozy while you’re at it. This summer, try an ice cream-inspired cocktail like a Grasshopper (think mint chip ice cream with alcohol) or a Frozen Mudslide (just like an adults-only sundae).

For the Fashionista: If you’re into fashion, you’re probably up on the latest trends when it comes to your shoes, your bag and your sunnies – add your drink to that list, too. A new drink trend is revitalizing classic cocktails with a new flavor twist. For something sweet and sexy, try a Strawberry Mojito or a Watermelon Margarita.

For the Beer Lover: In the spirit of summer, ditch your pint of brew for something a little fresher. “Summer beer” is a term that covers a variety of beer-based cocktails. My favorite recipe? Spiked Lemonade: You just need fresh lemonade, vodka, and a bottle of beer for a refreshing (and buzz-inducing) treat.

For the Waistline-Watcher: Take a cue from the Queen of the Waistline-Watchers and enjoy a Skinnygirl Margarita. If you’re feeling lazy (from all those hours at the gym, right?) then just hit up your local grocery store for a bottle of Bethenny Frankel’s pre-made cocktail. Or follow Bethenny’s original recipe, and make it at home.

For the Kid in All of Us: Beat the heat on a hot summer day elementary-school-style – with a popsicle. A spiked ice pop, that is. There are tons of recipes for frozen boozy treats on Pinterest, and my favorite is the Strawberry Peach Vodka Collins Popsicles. You’re welcome.