Since Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer, it’s the perfect excuse to soak up the sunshine, fire up the grill, and sip on something cool and refreshing. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, a laidback picnic, or a pool party in the sun, no Memorial Day cookout is complete without a delicious drink. Of course, you can always serve soda, wine, or beer for your seasonal kickoff, but these Memorial Day drinks will make your get-together unforgettable.
If you’re wondering which beverages to pair with all your BBQ foods, from hot dogs and burgers to coleslaw and potato salad, scroll through the ideas here. There are easy-breezy summer cocktails along with crowd-pleasing punches that the kids can enjoy, too! Searching for something fresh and fruity? Then watermelon drinks and strawberry cocktails are just the thing. Prefer a beverage with a kick? A spicy pineapple margarita or a zesty Michelada might be more up your alley. Better yet, a refreshment in red, white, and blue colors will remind you of the weekend’s patriotic meaning.
For larger groups, whipping up big-batch drinks like white sangria or spiked Arnold Palmers are easy to make ahead of time. But you can’t go wrong with frozen lemonade, piña coladas, or strawberry daiquiris for a crowd-pleasing choice, with or without the alcohol. Whatever your weekend has in store, be sure to have lots of finger foods and appetizers to munch on while you sip these summery drinks!
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Blackberry Smash Sweet Tea
Allison Gootee
A tall pitcher of this sweet tea is one of the best ways to celebrate summer’s arrival! This Memorial Day drink is bursting with seasonal berries and sweet-tart flavors that’ll taste even better paired with a burger and coleslaw.
If tacos are on your Memorial Day menu, spicy pineapple margaritas are a must! This ice-cold beverage has a summery spin from the pineapple and lime juices, and it gets a kick from fresh jalapeños. You just need 15 minutes to mix up a round of them!
Give classic mojitos a fruity twist by adding seasonal blueberries. With a homemade blueberry syrup and fresh berries floating in the glass, this Memorial Day drink looks and tastes like summer. It also comes together with six ingredients!
What better way to kick things off than with a quintessential summer fruit: watermelon? Not only is this drink made with puréed watermelon, it’s also garnished with frozen watermelon cubes that’ll keep the glass cold.
The combination of sweet berries and fresh basil make this Memorial Day drink a sophisticated one; since it’s alcohol-free, the kids can enjoy it too! A splash of hibiscus tea gives the beverage its striking color, and a burst of lemon adds a cheerful tone.
This tropical punch only requires four ingredients: orange juice, ginger ale, pineapple juice, and maraschino cherries. The orange slices are an optional garnish, but so cheery!
Stash a batch of these make-ahead margaritas in your freezer, and be rewarded with ice-cold cocktails all summer long! When the margarita cravings hit on Memorial Day, simply shake the bottle, salt the rim of a glass, and pour one out.
If you're a fan of the Aperol spritz, say hello to its zestier relative. Campari adds a bolder, more bitter twist, but a splash of orange juice brings just the right balance of sweetness and sparkle.
Even if your Memorial Day weekend doesn't consist of a trip to the beach, you can still enjoy tropical flavors in your own backyard! The rum-based drink is a frosty combination of pineapple and coconut.
If you didn't get around to serving this punch for Easter, then you'll definitely want to try it for Memorial Day. Seasonal strawberries, tart lime, and a kick from ginger ale make it fun for all.
Summer is rosé season and there's no better way to kick it off than with a frozen version of the pretty pink wine. It also has plenty of fruity flavor from the strawberry puree.
This trendy cocktail is like a burst of sunshine in both color and flavor. There's a slight bitterness to the Aperol that balances out the sweetness and bubbles from the prosecco.
White wine lovers can enjoy sangria, too, with this recipe that's made with both dry white wine and prosecco. It's light, refreshing, and still loaded with fruit.
When the heat kicks in, Ree's twist on the classic margarita is just the thing to chill things out. Infused with crisp cucumber and fresh cilantro, it's a cool, garden-fresh sip made for sunny days.
Part tea, part lemonade, and totally refreshing—this drink gets a boozy twist with the addition of bourbon. It's something you can sip on while lounging on the porch or in the backyard.
This family-friendly drink combines fresh strawberry puree with lemon juice and water. It's a natural way to get that bright pop of color. Of course, you can always add a splash of vodka or tequila if you want to make it a cocktail!
This classic cocktail is citrusy, sweet, and a little bit herbaceous from the gin. It's typically served in a Collins glass which is taller and narrower than other glasses to keep the bubbles from escaping.
This patriotic drink is a great way to celebrate the men and women in uniform. It's made with tequila, watermelon juice, and a bit of grenadine for color. Plus, there's blue sanding sugar on the rim and honeydew stars to garnish.
This frozen cocktail just screams "summer vacation!" The sweet strawberries blended with lime juice and rum will have you feeling ready for the long weekend in no time.