15 Cocktails to Make for Memorial Day

The first big warm-weather weekend calls for big-batch cocktails, frozen concoctions, and plenty of easy, refreshing drinks you can mix up on the spot. Whether you’re taking the fun to the beach or your backyard, these recipes will get the season started right.

1. Lynchburg Lemonade

The only thing better than lemonade on a sunny day? Boozy lemonade. Named for the Tennessee home of Jack Daniel’s distillery, this citrusy drink combines whiskey with triple sec, lemon juice, simple syrup, and lemon-lime soda. 

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2. Tom Collins

Swap your usual G&T for another classic (and easy) gin drink: This thirst-quenching cocktail gets built right in the glass with lemon juice, simple syrup, and club soda.

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3. Watermelon Mojito

If any drink is more cooling than the classic Mojito, it might just be this fruity twist that calls for mixing muddled watermelon and mint, agave nectar, light rum, and lime juice.

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4. Strawberry Daiquiri

A frozen cocktail is in order for the first long summer weekend. If you’ve only had a Strawberry Daiquiri made with artificial mix, you’ll love the real thing, which calls for fresh strawberries, rum, simple syrup, lime juice, and lots of ice. 

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5. Negroni Sbagliato

Its name might translate to “incorrect Negroni,” but this crowd-friendly punch from bar pro Jacques Bezuidenhout is just the right move for your summer parties. Swapping in prosecco for gin lightens up the equal-parts formula of the spirit, Campari, and sweet vermouth. 

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6. Mint-Basil Limeade

This cooling non-alcoholic drink includes muddled basil and mint, lime juice, and club soda. If you want to turn it into a conventional cocktail, clear spirits like white rum, gin, or vodka are all great candidates.

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7. Happy Pill

Grilled pineapple juice lends smoky, caramelized flavor to this Painkiller-inspired cocktail. Shaken with two types of rum, coconut liqueur, orange and lime juice, and cream of coconut, it produces a drink that’s as irresistible as its predecessor. 

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8. John Daly

Named for another famous golfer, this boozy Arnold Palmer twist couldn’t be simpler. Just add a shot of vodka to the classic concoction of lemonade and iced tea.

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9. Paloma

Mexico’s most popular cocktail has all the makings of a great summer party drink: The three-ingredient combination of tequila, lime juice, and grapefruit soda is fizzy, no-fuss, and delicious.

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10. Peach Beer Julep

Beer drinkers will love this inventive Mint Julep variation. Speed Rack co-founder Lynnette Marrero was inspired by the stone-fruit notes in India Pale Ales to create this drink, which combines bourbon and muddled peach slices with an IPA simple syrup.

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11. Sgroppino

This tasty Italian cocktail doubles as dessert, calling for whipping vodka, prosecco, and lemon sorbet in a bowl until they achieve a foamy, velvety texture. The drink originated in Venice, but one sip (or spoonful) will transport you straight to the Amalfi Coast. 

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12. Dead Sea Mule

The Mule is as quaffable as it is versatile. In this version inspired by the flavors of the Levant, homemade grenadine combines with mezcal, lime juice, and ginger beer, creating a tart, fruity variation on the classic.

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13. High Tide

In this summery whiskey drink, Japanese whisky is mixed with the orange liqueur Cointreau, lemon juice, tonic water, and green tea syrup to produce a citrusy, slightly earthy highball. 

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14. Sea Breeze

No need to fuss over ingredients at your cookout. This classic cocktail is as easy-breezy as its name, thanks to a simple combination of vodka and cranberry and grapefruit juices. 

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15. Rosé Sangria

Rosé wine is a warm-weather staple, and it’s even more refreshing when combined with pamplemousse liqueur, raspberries, strawberries, lemon, and club soda. Best of all, this fruity punch is prepped in advance for no-fuss pouring at a party. 

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