10 Great Cocktails to Make for Labor Day

It wouldn’t be a true Labor Day party without summer fruit, and no fruit is more of-the-season than a cold, sweet watermelon. This punch makes good use of said watermelon, blending it with fresh mint, then mixing it all with vodka, lime juice and simple syrup. Top with sparkling wine for an extra-special end-of-summer treat.

Get the recipe.

Enjoy afternoon sipping while you can with this light, citrusy cocktail. Gin, fresh lemon juice and simple syrup create a base that lets the color and flavor of crème de mure shine. Garnish with a lemon half-wheel and a fresh blackberry to give a hint of the flavors within.

Get the recipe.

Want to serve something on the fancier side but don’t want to worry about spirit temperature all night? You’re in luck. This unique cocktail is neither hot nor cold, and it's super easy to prepare. Stir dry gin with bianco vermouth, chilled water, lemon bitters and orange bitters, then strain into your glass and garnish with a lemon peel.

Get the recipe.

Hosting a big group? Throw together a pitcher of this crowd-pleaser. The mix of tequila, lime juice, Jamaican ginger beer and agave nectar is sweet, fizzy and easy to make in a large batch. Besides, everyone likes Margaritas, but they've likely never had this Margarita.

Get the recipe.

Ease into the complex flavors of fall with this timeless classic. The equal-parts recipe of gin, Campari and sweet vermouth is a bitter, spirit-forward apéritif that only needs a bit of ice and an orange peel to be perfect. If you want to stick with a similar flavor profile but go light, try the Americano, which skips the gin and tops the Campari and vermouth with sparkling water.

Get the recipe.

This take on the Shandy is a French version of the classic Radler. In other words, it’s a great low-ABV option for an afternoon of drinking. Homemade demi peche syrup is an effortless ask, and once you have a batch prepped, you need only mix an ounce into a glass of beer to generate a fruit-kissed cocktail even the pickiest drinker will enjoy.

Get the recipe.

Start your celebrations early in the day with this lighter take on a Bloody Mary. Citrus vodka, cucumber, Tabasco and dry vermouth are muddled together, then strained over ice and topped with tomato juice. Garnish with a cucumber, and you've got a crunchy foil to enjoy between sips.

Get the recipe.

If you didn’t have time to enjoy this quintessential drink this summer, now’s your chance. Blend a batch of this frozen concoction before it’s too cold outside to enjoy one. The icy blend of rosé, simple syrup, Aperol and lemon juice is a singular pleasure, especially if your plans include a sunny patio or backyard barbecue.

Get the recipe.

Homemade strawberry-basil-infused blanco tequila will impress your guests in this bright and bubbly punch. When mixed with fresh lime juice, agave syrup and dry sparkling rosé, the tequila acquires a fresh and herbaceous flavor that’s an ideal way to toast the end of the season.

Get the recipe.

If you didn’t make it to the beach before Labor Day, you can still drink like you did. Vodka and light rum are a boozy base that’s electrified by blue curaçao’s vibrant hue. Add a dash of pineapple juice and sweet-and-sour mix, and you’ll think you’re on a tropical vacation—even if you’re just drinking in your backyard with your toes wiggling inside a kiddie pool.

Get the recipe.