11 Cocktails That Belong at Every Memorial Day Cookout These easy and refreshing drinks signal the start of summer. By Dylan Ettinger Dylan Ettinger Dylan Ettinger is a Los Angeles-based writer specializing in spirits, cocktails, and coffee with hands-on experience visiting distilleries and bars across the US, Europe, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Published on May 21, 2025 Add Us On SAVE ALL RECIPES NEW! Save as a collection on MyRecipes Close Credit: Antonis Achilleos The transition from spring to summer culminates in Memorial Day weekend. As the unofficial beginning of summer, Memorial Day is the perfect occasion to gather with friends and family and celebrate the coming warm-weather months and outdoor activities during the first long weekend of the season. Whether you’re planning a low-key backyard barbecue or a big, rowdy pool party, Memorial Day calls for refreshing, simple, and people-pleasing drinks to help usher in the warmer months. Taking the easy route with a cooler full of beers is always a safe bet, but guests are far more likely to be impressed by creative cocktails that perfectly complement the mood and setting of the day. Keep all of your recipes at your fingertips. With the MyRecipes app you can easily save and organize your favorites from anywhere, including Instagram and TikTok, in one convenient place. Get the free app. 01 of 11 Wild Gin & Tonic Jennifer Causey / FOOD STYLING by EMILY NABORS HALL / PROP STYLING by STEPHANIE L. YEH The Gin & Tonic is one of the most popular mixed drinks globally and a tried and true summer classic. For a fresh take on the classic highball, this version introduces an infusion of toasted Szechuan peppercorns into the gin, imparting a subtle heat and slight numbing sensation. Complemented by yuzu juice, orange bitters, and elderflower-flavored tonic water, the cocktail offers further complexity with the addition of citrusy and floral notes. Get the Recipe Save 02 of 11 Singapore Sling Food & Wine / Photo by Morgan Hunt Glaze / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Phoebe Hausser The Singapore Sling is a bonafide tropical classic, and the perfect match for any poolside parties or beach gatherings. This modern take on the 19th-century cocktail combines gin, Cherry Heering, orange liqueur, Bénédictine, and pineapple and lime juices to create a vibrant and refreshing cocktail. A standard among tropical bars, this drink has a flavor profile that can best be described as grown-up fruit punch. Get the Recipe Save 03 of 11 Charred Citrus Margarita Antonis Achilleos If the grill is already fired up, try this smoky twist on the Margarita. Grilled grapefruit, oranges, and tangerines infuse the cocktail with a deep complexity that builds on the traditional blend of tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice. With a recipe that makes 4 cocktails, this riff is ideal for any outdoor parties or barbecues. To turn up the smoke, swap in mezcal for the tequila. Get the Recipe Save 04 of 11 Honey Mint Julep Greg Dupree / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen The Honey Mint Julep replaces traditional simple syrup with honey syrup, adding a complex sweetness that complements both the drink’s bourbon base and the fresh, aromatic oils of the mint. Served over crushed ice in a silver julep cup, this variation on the Kentucky Derby’s signature drink is guaranteed to keep everyone chilled under the summer sun. Get the Recipe Save 05 of 11 Godfather Food & Wine / Tim Nusog When hosting guests, sometimes a cocktail with a simple prep is needed. It doesn’t get much simpler than the two-ingredient Godfather. Composed of two parts scotch to one part amaretto, the Godfather delivers a smooth, spirit-forward flavor with a hint of almond that drinks similarly to an Old Fashioned. Get the Recipe Save 06 of 11 Tommy's Margarita Food & Wine / Tim Nusog Created by bartender Julio Bermejo, this riff on the Margarita switches the drink to a simplified sour formula, mixing tequila, agave syrup, and lime without the addition of an orange liqueur. With a simplified recipe that leans into agave flavors, it’s important to opt for a 100% agave, additive-free tequila when mixing this one up, just like Bermejo did when he invented the drink. Get the Recipe Save 07 of 11 Rusty Nail Tim Nusog / Food & Wine The Rusty Nail is another easy, two-ingredient cocktail. Scotch whisky is mixed with Drambuie, a sweet, spiced scotch-based liqueur infused with honey and herbs to create a sweet, and herbal cocktail. With this recipe, the Rusty Nail drinks like a softer, honey-forward Old Fashioned, which makes it a great companion for any outdoor holiday festivities. Get the Recipe Save 08 of 11 Mojito Guillermo Riveros / Food Styling by Oset Babür-Winter This Cuban classic needs no introduction; it’s one of the most popular tropical cocktails in the world. The Mojito’s mix of unaged rum with sugar, fresh lime, and mint is a vibrant and fresh combination of flavors. With a bit of effervescence from the club soda, it’s no wonder that the Mojito is such a beloved poolside classic. Get the Recipe Save 09 of 11 Ranch Water Food & Wine / Photo by Morgan Hunt Glaze / Prop Styling by Phoebe Hausser / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf The Ranch Water is a thirst-quenching mixed drink perfected for hot days under the West Texas sun. Combining tequila, freshly squeezed lime juice, and sparkling mineral water, this drink offers a crisp, effervescent, and low-ABV sipping experience. Its simplicity allows the quality of the tequila to take center stage, making it a favorite among those who appreciate both refreshing beverages and agave-forward flavors. Get the Recipe Save 10 of 11 Hemingway Daiquiri Food & Wine / Photo by Morgan Hunt Glaze / Prop Styling by Phoebe Hausser / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf Named after the rum-enjoying author Ernest Hemingway, this variation of the classic Daiquiri introduces maraschino liqueur and grapefruit juice to the traditional mix of white rum and lime juice. The result is a tart, slightly sweet cocktail with complex citrus and cherry notes. Served chilled in a coupe glass, the Hemingway Daiquiri offers a refreshing and slightly more complex option than the original recipe. Get the Recipe Save 11 of 11 Dirty Martini Spritz Food & Wine / Photo by Christopher Testani / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop styling by Christina Daley Two of the trendiest cocktails over the past few years have been the Spritz and the Dirty Martini. This cocktail combines the best of both worlds. The result is a briny, botanical-forward drink that’s lengthened and freshened up by the addition of club soda. It’s the perfect way to take the steakhouse classic and make it better-suited for the backyard patio. Get the Recipe Save Explore more: Drinks Cocktails Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit