While classics like lemonade, iced tea, and beer will always have their place, this summer, why not shake things up with some unique, new alcoholic drinks?

Here’s a gallery of the top 20 innovative cocktails you can whip up to impress your guests and quench your thirst.

Frosé is the epitome of summer sophistication. This frozen delight combines rosé wine with strawberries and a splash of vodka, creating a slushy, sweet, and slightly tart beverage perfect for hot afternoons.

The blend of fresh strawberries gives it a vibrant pink colour and a natural sweetness, while the vodka adds a subtle kick. Serve in a chilled glass with a strawberry garnish for an Instagram-worthy treat that will have your guests asking for more.

For a refreshing and light drink, the Cucumber Mint Gin Cooler is an excellent choice. This cocktail combines the crispness of gin with the cooling flavours of fresh cucumber and mint leaves. A splash of tonic water adds a fizzy finish, making it a perfect sipper for hot summer days.

The cucumber and mint provide a garden-fresh aroma that’s both soothing and invigorating. Serve over ice with a cucumber ribbon and mint sprig for a stylish and thirst-quenching beverage.

Watermelon Basil Smash is a delightful fusion of flavours that screams summer. Vodka forms the base, while fresh watermelon puree adds a juicy sweetness. The addition of basil leaves introduces a hint of herbal freshness, and a squeeze of lime juice brightens the overall taste.

This cocktail is best served over ice in a highball glass, garnished with a small watermelon wedge and a basil leaf. It’s a revitalising and vibrant drink that’s sure to be a hit at any gathering.

Turn up the heat with a Spicy Mango Margarita. This cocktail combines the tropical sweetness of mango puree with the classic tang of lime juice and tequila. A touch of jalapeño adds a spicy kick that perfectly balances the sweetness of the mango. Rim the glass with chili salt for an extra layer of flavour and serve over ice with a mango slice and jalapeño ring for garnish. This drink is an exciting twist on the traditional margarita and sure to spice up your summer party.

Lavender Lemonade Vodka Spritzer offers a floral twist on the classic lemonade. The calming notes of lavender syrup blend seamlessly with tangy lemonade and smooth vodka. Sparkling water adds a refreshing fizz to this elegant drink.

Serve it in a tall glass over ice, garnished with a sprig of lavender and a lemon wheel. The aromatic lavender complements the citrusy lemonade, making it a perfect, sophisticated drink for a summer afternoon.

The Pineapple Jalapeño Margarita is a tropical and spicy delight. Tequila forms the base, while pineapple juice adds a sweet and tangy note. Muddled jalapeño brings a hint of heat, perfectly balancing the sweetness of the pineapple.

Serve in a salt-rimmed glass with ice, and garnish with a pineapple wedge and a jalapeño slice. This cocktail is a fantastic choice for those who enjoy bold flavours and a little bit of spice.

Peach Bourbon Iced Tea combines the smoothness of bourbon with the sweetness of peach nectar and the classic taste of iced tea. This Southern-inspired cocktail is perfect for sipping on a warm day. Serve it in a mason jar over ice, garnished with a peach slice and a sprig of mint. The rich flavours of bourbon complement the fruity peach and refreshing iced tea, creating a balanced and flavourful drink.

Strawberry Basil Gin Fizz is a fresh and fizzy cocktail that combines gin with muddled strawberries and basil. The addition of club soda gives it a light, bubbly finish. Serve in a tall glass over ice, garnished with a strawberry and a basil leaf. The sweet strawberries and fragrant basil create a harmonious flavour that pairs wonderfully with the botanical notes of gin. It’s a refreshing and elegant choice for summer gatherings.

Blueberry Mojito is a fruity twist on the classic mojito. Fresh blueberries are muddled with mint leaves, then mixed with rum, lime juice, and a touch of sugar. Top it off with soda water for a refreshing, effervescent finish. Serve over ice in a highball glass, garnished with a skewer of blueberries and a mint sprig. The combination of blueberries and mint creates a delightful, berry-infused cocktail that’s perfect for summer.

Grapefruit Rosemary Paloma is a sophisticated take on the traditional Paloma. Tequila is mixed with fresh grapefruit juice and a touch of rosemary syrup, then topped with soda water. Serve in a salt-rimmed glass over ice, garnished with a grapefruit wedge and a rosemary sprig. The herbal notes of rosemary pair beautifully with the tart grapefruit and smooth tequila, creating a refreshing and aromatic cocktail.

Tropical Rum Punch is a vibrant and fruity cocktail that combines rum with pineapple juice, coconut cream, and a splash of grenadine. This colourful drink is best served in a tiki glass over ice, garnished with a pineapple slice and a cherry. The combination of tropical flavours makes it a perfect drink for beach-themed parties or any summer gathering where you want to evoke the feel of a tropical paradise.

Blackberry Sage Vodka Lemonade is a unique blend of vodka, blackberry syrup, fresh sage, and lemonade. The earthy notes of sage complement the sweet and tart blackberries, creating a refreshing and flavourful drink. Serve in a highball glass over ice, garnished with a blackberry and a sage leaf. This cocktail is a sophisticated and aromatic choice for summer afternoons and evenings.

Lychee Martini is an exotic and elegant cocktail that combines vodka with lychee liqueur and lychee juice. The result is a sweet and fragrant drink with a delicate floral note. Serve in a chilled martini glass, garnished with a lychee fruit. The unique flavour of lychee makes this cocktail a standout choice for summer parties and sophisticated gatherings.

Coconut Mojito adds a tropical twist to the classic mojito. Rum is mixed with coconut water, mint, lime, and a touch of sugar. The result is a light and refreshing cocktail with a hint of coconut. Serve over ice in a highball glass, garnished with a mint sprig and a lime wheel. This drink is perfect for cooling down on a hot summer day and brings a taste of the tropics to your backyard.

Pomegranate Margarita is a vibrant and tangy cocktail that combines tequila with pomegranate juice, lime juice, and a touch of triple sec. Serve in a salt-rimmed glass over ice, garnished with pomegranate seeds and a lime wheel. The deep red colour and bold flavour of pomegranate make this margarita a visually stunning and delicious choice for summer celebrations.

Kiwi Caipirinha is a refreshing twist on the traditional Brazilian cocktail. Cachaça is mixed with muddled kiwi, lime, and sugar, creating a sweet and tangy drink. Serve in a rocks glass over ice, garnished with a kiwi slice. The fresh kiwi adds a unique and tropical flavour, making this cocktail a perfect choice for summer parties and BBQs.

Cherry Lime Bourbon Smash combines the rich flavour of bourbon with fresh cherries, lime juice, and mint. This cocktail is both sweet and tart, with a hint of minty freshness. Serve in a rocks glass over ice, garnished with a cherry and a lime wedge. The combination of bourbon and fresh fruit makes this a sophisticated and satisfying drink for summer evenings.

Rosemary Gin and Tonic is a fragrant and refreshing twist on the classic G&T. Gin is mixed with rosemary-infused syrup, tonic water, and lime juice. Serve in a highball glass over ice, garnished with a rosemary sprig and a lime wheel. The herbal notes of rosemary complement the botanical flavours of gin, creating a sophisticated and aromatic cocktail perfect for summer sipping.

Cantaloupe Cooler is a light and refreshing drink that combines vodka with cantaloupe juice, lime, and a hint of mint. Serve in a highball glass over ice, garnished with a cantaloupe slice and a mint sprig. The sweet and juicy flavour of cantaloupe makes this cocktail a delightful and hydrating choice for hot summer days.

Dragon Fruit Daiquiri is a vibrant and exotic cocktail that combines rum with dragon fruit puree, lime juice, and a splash of simple syrup. Serve in a chilled martini glass, garnished with a slice of dragon fruit. The striking colour and unique flavour of dragon fruit make this daiquiri a show-stopping drink that’s sure to impress your guests at any summer gathering.

Elevate your summer gatherings with these unique and refreshing cocktails. Each one offers a delightful blend of flavours that capture the essence of summer, ensuring your parties are memorable and your guests are impressed. Cheers to a summer filled with fun and fantastic drinks!