The Best Memorial Day Cocktails Everyone Must Try

Lex Gabrielle
woman holding cocktail by a poolside
Unsplash | Katja Rooke

With Memorial Day weekend right around the corner, everyone is looking to try some delicious and new summer cocktails and drinks. There is no better feeling than kicking off the summer with a cold beverage in your hand and some good friends nearby.

If you are hosting, or you're going to someone's house for a BBQ, you definitely want to bring these recipes along in your pocket.

So make sure you write the ingredients down so you can hit up Costco and make some of these delicious drinks to try while you pay respect to veterans, avoid the Memorial Day sales at malls, and enjoy the fireworks.

Jalepeño-Cucumber Moscow Mule.

This is a spicy twist on the traditional Moscow Mule. Infuse your vodka with jalepeños and cucumbers—10 minutes for the jalepeños and 30 minutes for the cucumbers. Add your ginger beer and lime juice to a mule cup and serve with garnish.

Spiked Seltzer Slushies.

White Claws and other frozen seltzers have easily become a staple of people's beverage choices. For the summer, we all want a drink that's frozen as well as tasty. Mixing up a spiked seltzer with some ice in a blender and adding in your favorite fruit can make it a frozen treat.

Blackberry Lemonade Margaritas.

Blackberry margaritas in glasses
Unsplash | Kim Daniels

Margaritas are perfect for a hot day, but adding blackberries and lemonade kicks it up a notch. Use your favorite tequila mixed with margarita mix, add in lemonade and top off with some blackberries. Serve over ice—salt or no salt.

Boozy Cherry Bombs.

Boozy Cherry Bombs are your best bet for Memorial Day Weekend because they scream "America." Soak the cherries in Fireball and vodka for an hour. Then, melt white chocolate chips in the microwave and dip the cherries halfway in the melted chocolate. While the chocolate is still wet, dip the cherries into blue sprinkles. Refrigerate and enjoy!

Spiked Arnold Palmers.

golfer holding arnold palmer drink in hand posing
Unsplash | Misunderstood Whiskey

There's nothing more refreshing than an Arnold Palmer on a hot summer day. For those who don't know, the Arnold Palmer is half iced tea, half lemonade. If you add some Ginger Spiced Whiskey into that mix, you have yourself a delicious and incredible cocktail for the pool.

Long Island Iced Tea.

long island iced tea in a glass with lemons and limes in the background
Unsplash | Elissa Landry

The Long Island Iced Tea is a staple of every party. It is the surefire way to get you drunk really quickly. With several different types of liquor in the mix—you are guaranteed to feel a bit buzzed after a few sips. Grab that five different alcohol and top it off with some coke or sour mix to top it off.

Pineapple Mojito.

pineapples cut up on a plate
Unsplash | Gabriel Yuji

Pineapples and mint go together like nothing you've ever tasted before. Get your tools to muddle some pineapple, mint, and sugar in the bottom of a shaker. Add ice, lime, and your favorite type of rum, and shake well. Enjoy it in your favorite glass with some extra mint and pineapple on top.

Whipped Frozen Lemonade.

Schitts Creek Alexis Rose Yum Gif
Giphy | Schitt's Creek

Summer and lemonade go together like sand and the ocean. Who doesn't want a lemonade with a little twist? This whipped, frozen lemonade is perfect because it goes down rather smoothly. Grab some freshly squeezed lemon juice, full-fat coconut milk, ice cubes, and your favorite vodka. Put them into a blender and whip it real good. Serve in a tall glass with a straw.

Blue Hawaiian.

The Blue Hawaiian is a bright, fun, festive drink to cheer over burgers and dogs this weekend. Get your vodka, Blue Curacao, coconut cream, pineapple juice, and club soda for this special drink. Shake it up and serve with a flower on top.

Tom Collins.

Tom Collins cocktail in bartender's hand
Unsplash | Fábio Alves

The Tom Collins is a classic cocktail that can replace your usual vodka soda and give you something just as simple to make. All you need is some gin, club soda, and simple syrup. To make it even better, you can add some grapefruit or your favorite citrus.

Peach Sweet Tea With Bourbon.

ice cube dropping into glass of bourbon with a splash
Unsplash | Joost Crop

For the bourbon lovers in your life, this is perfect for a backyard BBQ. You can use peach iced tea that's already been made, make your own with some powder mix, or even steep some tea bags if you really want to go all the way. Stir in a glass with your favorite bourbon to get the drink going.

Strawberry and Basil Sangria.

Basil may not be the first ingredient you want to add to your drink, but it should be. This strawberry and basil sangria is both fruity and bitter all in one. You'll have to make basil-infused simple syrup, but that's not as hard as you may think. Combine strawberries, basil-infused simple syrup, vodka, lemon juice, and sparkling white wine.

Watermelon Mojito.

watermelon mojito in a glass atop a cutting board
Unsplash | ShengGeng Lin

Watermelon is perfect when the weather gets warm again. This Watermelon Mojito will be a party favorite with your friends and family. Simply muddle watermelon and mint in a shaker, and add agave nectar, light rum, and lime juice. Shake it on up and serve with extra mint.

Strawberry Daiquiri.

strawberry diaquiri in a small glass on a wooden bench by the pool
Unsplash | Heidi Walley

Strawberry Daiquiris are truly what we all used to order (virgin) when our parents were drinking on vacation. Now, we can have the fun version at our BBQ or on the beach with friends. Grab your blender, fresh strawberries, rum, simple syrup, lime juice, and lots of ice. Blend that baby up!

Margarita Berry Sprizter.

A low-cal margarita with some berries on top is perfect for the beach or pool. This drink is so easy, you only need a few ingredients, too. Grab your favorite tequila, Classic P&M Margarita, or Skinny Margarita mix, and top off with lemon/lime seltzer. Put any berries of your choice in your glass.

Blue Ice Huckleberry Crush.

Who doesn't love crushed ice in a tall glass on a hot Friday evening? This Huckleberry Ice beverage is sure to hit the spot. Combine crushed ice, Blue Ice Huckleberry Vodka, strawberry lemonade, and diet ginger beer in a shaker. Mix it up and garnish with strawberry slices.

Tequila Mimosas.

If you're going to have the family over for a boozy brunch, mimosas are always the way to go. Class up the champagne and the headache, however, and top your mimosa off with some tequila, too. It'll make brunch even more enjoyable and fun.

The Spicy Pair.

The Spicy Pair is simple, sweet, and spicy all at the same time. Get your favorite tequila and combine it with pear nectar, lemon juice, elderflower liquor, and jalepeño infused simple syrup. Put it into a shaker and shake, shake, shake. Serve over ice.

Frozen Powell & Mahoney Peach Margaritas

You may never think of combining bellinis and margaritas together—until now. Get a bottle of Powell & Mahoney Peach Bellini ⁠and a bottle of Powell & Mahoney Classic Margarita Mix for this drink. Combine it with ice and your favorite tequila in a blender. Blend that baby up for a delicious sip.

High Tide.

I'll take that with cheese gif
Giphy

The High Tide is a light and airy drink made with Japanese whiskey. It's mixed with the orange liqueur Cointreau, lemon juice, tonic water, and green tea syrup to make a delicious and light way to cheer with your friends.

The Basil Daisy.

The Basil Daisy uses Honey Simple Syrup, vodka, Aperol, fresh lemon juice, and basil leaves. Combine in a shaker, strain and pour over ice, and garnish with extra basil on top. It both looks and tastes like that sweet summer air.

The Irish Gold.

The Irish Whiskey is perfect for your friends and family that are pure whiskey drinkers. Combine your favorite Irish whiskey with peach schnapps, a splash of orange juice, and top off in a tall glass with ice and ginger ale.

Pink Bouquet.

For the girl's night when the ladies come out, make a Pink Bouquet so that you can feel extra girly. Grab your favorite vodka, fresh blood orange juice, orange juice, rose water, and Blood Orange Tonic water—@buzbeesbeverages is a great brand.

The Screwdriver.

You can't lay by the pool tanning in the morning sun without a morning drink. Easy to make with few ingredients. Get your vodka, orange juice, and some orange pulps from fresh-squeezed orange juice. Pour, shake, and mix over ice.