11 Essential Cocktails for Your July Parties

Bright and bubbly, this citrusy cocktail will help quench a whole crowd’s thirst. Gin, Aperol, St-Germain and rosé Champagne bring their boozy bite to lemon, sugar, orange juice and grapefruit juice. Garnish with orange wheels and serve in a pitcher so guests can help themselves.

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Cool down with this extra boozy spin on a traditional Daiquiri. Blend white rum, key lime juice, grapefruit juice, maraschino liqueur and a dash of simple syrup with ice until everything is nice and slushy. Divide into glasses and garnish with lime wheels. 

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This light and refreshing tipple is easy to make and perfect for lazy summer days. Tequila, fresh lime juice and grapefruit soda are all you need. Simply mix in a glass, and you’re good to go.

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Make the most of summer produce with this twist on a classic Margarita. Blanco tequila, Combier, St-Germain and fresh lime juice get a fresh, herbal flavor and vibrant green color from a dash of homemade pea purée. Serve over ice and garnish with a lime wheel.

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Looking for something ultra-refreshing? Mix up one or two of these. The combination of gin, manzanilla sherry, homemade rhubarb syrup and lemon juice walks the sweet-sour balance beam, while a mint sprig provides the perfect herbaceous garnish.

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This simple cocktail lets you get your caffeine kick alongside your boozy buzz. Combine equal parts caramel vodka and iced coffee in a rocks glass, stir to combine and enjoy. 

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Strawberry season is well underway, and this cocktail is a perfect way to use any extra fruit you may have hanging around. Strawberry-infused Aperol is a bitter-sweet pair for gin, while Stiegl Radler grapefruit beer adds a touch of sweetness and extra fruit flavor. 

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If you already have the grill fired up, toss on a couple of pineapple chunks, and you’re on your way to a tasty cocktail. Fresh lime juice, agave nectar, mint, pineapple juice and dry rum make for a boozy, refreshing go-to when topped with caramelized pineapple.

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Don’t want to deal with tons of ingredients or complicated instructions? This drink is here to save the day. The classic combination barely needs a recipe. Just fill a highball glass with ice, add rye whiskey, then top with ginger ale and get back to enjoying the summer.

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Wine lovers, this one’s for you. Rosé gets an extra-cool kick when it’s frozen and blended with simple syrup, Aperol and fresh lemon juice. The resulting cocktail is not only an ideal accompaniment for summertime brunch or lounging by the pool, but it’s totally Instagrammable, too.

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This boozy slushie is your childhood favorite all grown up. Jamaican rum, Fernet-Branca, simple syrup, lemon juice, lime juice, lemon bitters and water are frozen until they’re a wet, slushy consistency. Divide into glasses and toast to beating the summer heat.

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