7 summer cocktail recipes guaranteed to give you vacation vibes

There’s no need to spring for a plane ticket this summer. Mix up a pitcher of these island-inspired cocktails to bring the holiday vibes right to your backyard. We’ve got tequila cocktail recipes, something for vodka and rum lovers, wine and beer-based cocktail drinks and even something for those who prefer low-sugar beverages.

[Photo Credit: artiemedvedev]

1. Wine Slushy
Servings: 2

In a blender, pour ½ bottle of white wine, ¼ cup of rum, and 3 cups of frozen fruit of your choice. Blend to desired consistency, adding more white or frozen fruit as needed. Pour in a tall glass and add a thick straw before serving.

2. Lemonade Prosecco Punch
Servings: 10-12

In a pitcher, stir together 4-6 cups of lemonade, 1 bottle of Prosecco, ⅓ cup of citrus-flavoured vodka, 1 cup of berries of your choice, and a few sprigs of mint. Let the flavours infuse for an hour before serving over ice.

3. Beach Water
Servings: 1

In a glass filled with ice, add 1½ ounces each of coconut rum and blue raspberry vodka. Top with 6 ounces of lemon-lime flavoured soft drink. Stir and serve.

4. Mexican Sunrise
Servings: 1

This simple beer-based cocktail starts with a bottle of Corona, or similar light-tasting beer. You’ll be adding the rest of the ingredients to the bottle, so empty some beer down to the top of the label (bottoms up!). Add 1½ ounces each of tequila and orange juice. Follow with a ½ ounce of grenadine and a squeeze of lime. Push the lime into the bottle and serve.

5. Limoncello Spritz
Servings: 1

Add ice to a glass of your choice. Follow with 2 ounces limoncello, 3 ounces Prosecco and 1 ounce of club soda. Stir and garnish with mint leaves and lemon slices.

6. Tropical Rum Punch
Servings: 10-12

Add 3 cups each of orange juice and pineapple juice to a pitcher. Stir in 1 cup lime juice, 1 ¼ cups simple syrup, and 2 ½ cups of light or dark rum. Mix in a pinch each of cinnamon and nutmeg, and a few shakes of angostura bitters. Mix in a generous amount of grenadine until the cocktail resembles the colour of a Caribbean sunset. Serve over ice and garnish with a slice of pineapple.

7. Grapefruit Margarita
Servings: 1

This low-sugar version of the classic cocktail is deliciously refreshing. Mix a teaspoon each of granulated sugar and kosher salt together on a plate. Swipe a cut lime around the edge of the chosen glass, then pass the rim of the glass through the salt and sugar mixture so it sticks. Fill the glass with ice. In a cocktail shaker, or a mason jar with lid, add 3 ounces grapefruit juice, 1 ounce lime juice, 1 ½ ounces silver tequila, and ½ ounce of orange-flavoured liqueur. Fill the shaker with ice, and shake to blend ingredients. Strain the margarita into the prepared glass and top with a splash of club soda. Garnish with a grapefruit slice.