Plan drinks for your next cookout
These ten summer cocktails cover citrus, mint, ginger, coconut, and bubbles. There are simple highballs for easy serving, shaken drinks for a smaller group, and a blended Piña Colada. Choose a few recipes that share ingredients so the drinks table stays manageable.
Match the drink to your setup
Gin and Tonic and Cuba Libre are easy to build in the glass. Moscow Mule adds ginger beer, while Paloma and Tom Collins pair citrus with soda. Aperol Spritz brings bittersweet bubbles. Mojito and Caipirinha need fresh mint or lime preparation. Margarita is a shaken sour, and Piña Colada needs a blender.
Prep for outdoor serving
Chill mixers, prepare garnishes, and measure still ingredients before guests arrive. Keep plenty of ice on hand and add it close to serving. Finish fizzy drinks with soda, tonic, ginger beer, or Prosecco at the last moment. Include water and a nonalcoholic choice alongside the cocktail menu.
