It’s finally summer and you get to relax poolside, but there’s just one thing missing—a refreshing cocktail. But making the perfect mixed drink doesn’t have to be rocket science! Here are nine impressive cocktails that you can make with just three ingredients and are perfect for the summer—with a few special cocktails mixed just for Her Campus by Ticos Burgos of Punch Bowl Social!
1. Orange Cream Pop
Nothing says summer like a popsicle, so why not make your childhood favorite into a grown-up drink? Now you can, with this recipe from Punch Bowl Social. Best served during your tanning sesh!
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. Ketel One Oranje
- 3 oz. freshly squeezed orange juice
- 3 oz. Boylan’s Creme Soda
Directions:
Pour the orange juice and the vodka at the same time into a 12 oz. glass. Add ice to your glass and top your cocktail with the creme soda.
2. Tequila Sunrise
This classic (but fun!) cocktail is perfect for your beach party needs. Make this colorful drink with some help from the Anthropologie blog.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ oz. tequila
- 4 oz. fresh orange juice
- Dash of grenadine syrup
Directions:
In a tall glass, stir the tequila and orange juice with ice. Slowly pour in the grenadine and allow it to settle at the bottom of the glass.
3. Gin Buck
Embrace your inner Daisy Buchanan with this old-fashioned cocktail. Try this simple recipe from Liquor.com and you’ll be the classiest girl at the party.
Ingredients:
- Juice of half a lemon
- Ginger ale
- 1.5 oz. gin
Directions:
Fill a tall glass with ice, then add the gin and lemon juice. Fill with ginger ale and stir.
4. Double Grapefruit
If you like your drinks on the bitter side, you’ll love this cocktail from Punch Bowl Social. This will impress your friends at your next Pinterest-inspired cocktail party!
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Deep Eddy Ruby Red Vodka
- 3 oz. freshly squeezed juice from Ruby Red grapefruits
- Splash of Sprite
Directions:
Pour the grapefruit juice and the vodka at the same time into a 12 oz. glass. Add ice to your glass and top your cocktail with the Sprite for a touch of sweet.
5. Iced Coffee Cocktail
Every year, you wait for that fateful moment when you can transition from hot coffee to iced. Take it one step further with this special brew from Jelly Toast. Why not try it for brunch, instead of your usual mimosa?
Ingredients:
- 4 oz. cold brew coffee
- 1 ½ oz. flavored vodka (vanilla or caramel)
- Tablespoon of heavy cream
Directions:
Fill a glass with ice. Add coffee, vodka and cream. Stir, and you’re done!
6. Margarita
Margaritas are not just for spring break! Relive your Cancun days this summer with this yummy recipe from Averie Cooks.
Ingredients:
- 1-1 ½ shots lime juice
- 1-2 shots tequila
- Agave nectar to taste
Directions:
Squeeze about 2 medium/large limes into a large cup. Add 2 shots of water, the tequila and the agave. Stir and taste. Adjust sweetness as needed. Add lots of ice, and stir.
7. Mint Julep
Whether you’re a true Southern Belle or you’re just obsessed with Hart of Dixie, mint juleps are the ultimate summer drink for those scorching hot days. And they’re so easy to make, thanks to POPSUGAR!
Ingredients:
- 4 mint leaves, plus more for garnish
- 1-2 teaspoons sugar to taste
- 2 oz. bourbon
Directions:
In a cocktail tumbler or mint julep cup, tear up mint. Add the sugar and a splash of bourbon and mix well until the mint leaves are pulpy. Add bourbon and stir until the sugar dissolves. Top with crushed ice and garnish with a mint sprig.
8. Tico’s Hard Lemonade
This concoction from Punch Bowl Social is the perfect balance of tangy and sweet, and is so refreshing. Just picture yourself sitting at a café terrace sipping one of these!
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. Nantucket Nectar’s Lemonade
- 2 oz. Campari
- 4 oz. Gosling’s Ginger Beer
Directions:
Pour the lemonade and the Campari at the same time into a 12 oz. glass. Add ice to your glass and top your cocktail with the ginger beer.
9. Daiquiri
There’s nothing wrong with a tried-and-true cocktail like this daiquiri from Serious Eats! Make this for you and your girls before you head out to enjoy your night.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. light rum
- Juice from half a lime
- Teaspoon of sugar
Directions:
Pour sugar and lime juice into a cocktail shaker and stir until sugar is dissolved. Add the rum and fill the shaker with ice. Shake well for 10 seconds and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a wedge of lime.
Whether you have a sweet tooth or you like a touch of bitter, one of these cocktails is sure to liven up your summer. And they’re all so easy to make! Happy summer, collegiettes!
