

1. Watermelon sangria
This refreshing cocktail is made with watermelon and other summertime fruits. The recipe below yields 10 servings.
Ingredients:
- 1 large watermelon
- 1 bottle of white wine
- 2 cups of white rum
- 1 cup seltzer water
- 1/3 cup lime juice
- 2 limes sliced thinly
- 1 cup of frozen pineapple chunks
- 1 cup of frozen blueberries
Directions:
- Slice up the watermelon and scoop out the fruit inside
- Transfer the watermelon chunks to a blender
- Blend the watermelon until smooth and then strain any seeds
- Pour the watermelon juice into a large pitcher
- Add the white wine, rum seltzer water, and lime juice, and stir until combined
- Then add the lime slices and frozen fruit
- Refrigerate for two hours and then serve

2. Strawberry pink lemonade
This spiked lemonade is made with rose wine, vodka, and fresh strawberries. The recipe yields below six servings.
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle of sparkling rose wine
- 1 cup vodka
- 1 can frozen lemonade
- 1/2 cup club soda
- 2 cups sliced strawberries
- 3 thinly sliced lemons
Directions:
- In a large pitcher, combine the wine, vodka, lemonade, club soda, strawberries and lemon slices
- Stir and refrigerate for two hours, and then serve

3. Blackberry Mojito
This cocktail is a spin on the traditional mojito -- fresh blackberries give it a sweet kick. The recipe below yields two servings.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup fresh blackberries
- A handful of fresh mint leaves
- 2 juiced limes
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 cup white rum
- Crushed ice
- Club soda
Directions:
- Muddle the fresh blackberries in a small bowl
- Take two glasses, and place some mint at the bottom of each one
- Divide and spoon the blackberries on top
- Add some crushed ice to each glass
- In a larger glass, combine the rum, sugar and lime juice
- Stir together to combine
- Then pour the mixture into each of the two glasses
- Top with club soda and serve

4. Tequila sunset
This cocktail officially marks the start of summer. The recipe below yields one serving.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup crushed ice
- 1 1/2 ounces tequila
- 1/2 cup grapefruit juice
- 1/2 ounce grenadine
- Maraschino cherries
Directions:
- Fill a glass with ice, tequila, and juice
- Add the grenadine
- Garnish with some maraschino cherries and serve

5. Cucumber Margarita
This ultra-refreshing margarita is made with cucumber-infused vodka and lime juice. The recipe below yields one serving.
Ingredients:
- Salt
- Ice
- 2 1/2 ounces cucumber-infused tequila
- 1 ounce lime juice
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- 1 slice cucumber
Directions:
- Wet the rim of a margarita glass with water and dip it in salt
- Fill the glass with ice
- Using a cocktail shaker, combine the cucumber-infused tequila, lime juice, and simple syrup and then shake well
- Strain the cocktail into the glass and garnish with a cucumber slice

6. Peach Sweet Tea
This traditional southern summer cocktail contains bourbon, peaches, and lemon. The recipe below yields one serving.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 2 ounces peach preserves
- 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
- Dash of Aperol
- Sweet tea
- Sprig of thyme
- Lemon round
Directions:
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the bourbon, peach preserves, Aperol, and lemon juice until well blended
- Fill a glass with ice and pour the cocktail into the glass
- Top with sweet tea and garnish with thyme and lemon round
Here's to the start of summer!
Memorial Day weekend unofficially marks the start of summer. Celebrate it by drinking a few refreshing cocktails with friends while hanging out by the pool or grilling up some yummy foods. You won't go wrong trying out any of the above recipes.
References
- "15 Memorial Day Cocktails You Should Make," Cosmopolitan, May 24, 2013.
- "18 Must-Try Memorial Day Cocktails," Delish, May 22, 2017.
- "18 Refreshing Drinks to Mix for Memorial Day," Serious Eats, n.d.