11 Essential Cocktails for Your Labor Day Weekend Parties

This simple classic is ideal for a long lazy weekend spent by the pool or on the beach. Simply add tequila and lime juice to a glass filled with ice, then top with grapefruit soda. Stir briefly to combine, then sit back and relax.

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Fizzy and refreshing, this cocktail is great for wine drinkers looking to branch out. St-Germain elderflower liqueur gives a floral note to dry white wine, then it’s all topped with club soda and a lemon twist for a burst of brightness.

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Start the transition into fall with this pear-infused cocktail. Reposado tequila and nutty manzanilla sherry tone down the sweetness of pear liqueur, leaving you with a balanced drink that will have you dreaming of sweaters and falling leaves.

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A true Daiquiri isn’t the hangover-inducing sugary concoction from your college spring breaks. Instead, it’s a simple and sublime combination of rum, sugar and lime that’s a perfect send-off for summer.

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Make a big batch of this so you can relax with your guests this Labor Day. The mix of cognac, sherry and peach tea is a sure crowd pleaser, especially when combined with mineral water, honey syrup, lemon and two kinds of bitters.

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Treat your guests to a round of this frozen orange cocktail. Mandarinetto liqueur gives a bright citrus flavor to white rum, velvet falernum and summery juices, which are all blended with ice until cold and slushy. Don’t forget to serve it with a straw.

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Though autumn is on the horizon, the weather hasn’t quite started cooling down yet. Keep it chill at your Labor Day party with this frozen blend of mint syrup, light rum and lime juice.

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The secret to this herbaceous cocktail? Homemade yerba mate simple syrup. Mix it with tequila, génépy, lemon juice and two kinds of bitters for a complex cocktail that’s bitter, herbal and refreshing all in one.

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A mix of tequila and scotch may seem intimidating, but one sip of this drink will have you hooked. The two spirits are combined with peach purée and lemon juice and garnished with a mint sprig for a fruity cocktail that’s perfect for late summer afternoons.

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Spice up your pre-noon drinking with this twist on the Mexican brunch classic. Of course, lager is on the ingredients list, but the booze level is taken up a notch with a splash of mezcal. Hot sauce, Maggi seasoning sauce, Worchester sauce and lime juice help round it all out.

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This large-format punch is perfect for when you’re entertaining a crowd. Vodka and Aperol combine to make a boozy base that’s sweetened with orange juice and fresh lemon. Top with club soda and enjoy.

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