30 Memorial Day co*cktail Recipes We've Been Waiting 9 Months For (2024)

Cheers to summer!

By Camille Lowder
30 Memorial Day co*cktail Recipes We've Been Waiting 9 Months For (1)

Though summer doesn’t officially start until June 21, we’re pretty much diving right into our favorite season early—unofficially, we’re celebrating this Memorial Day! It’s our first chance this year to get together with friends and family to celebrate the return of warm weather, and we’re going to take full advantage. What better way to celebrate than with a co*cktail? Maybe you’ll have a backyard BBQ, enjoy a picnic on a blanket in a park, or splash around in the water at the beach—whatever the case may be, you’re going to need some drinks. Check out our top 30 Memorial Day co*cktails for ideas.

When it comes to summertime sippers, there are a few avenues you could go: In the mood for something frozen? Bust out that blender, and make frozen margaritas, like our frozen strawberry margaritas, our ​​frozen blue Moscato margaritas, or our frozen sangria margaritas (all proof you can add any fruit or alcohol you like!). Have a long day of grilling ahead of you and need something you can sip on for hours? Try our michelada, our ranch water (like a margarita, but with seltzer), or our spiked seltzer slushies (white claw + ice + frozen fruit). Feeling a tropical vibe for your BBQ? We get it, we’ve got a ton of savory pineapple recipes bookmarked for our grill this year too. Try our Seabreeze, our Sex On The Beach, or our rum runner. Don’t want to play bartender all day? Try one of our batch co*cktails, like our red sangria or our summer shandy punch—they’ll keep your guests happy, without you having to do a ton of work.

For more Memorial Day ideas, check out our Memorial Day appetizers, Memorial Day salads, and Memorial Day desserts too.

1

Red Sangria

30 Memorial Day co*cktail Recipes We've Been Waiting 9 Months For (3)

Fruity, refreshing, and perfect for serving a crowd, sangria is one of our go-to co*cktails for outdoor celebrations like a Memorial Day BBQ. While we love this classic combination of fruits, spices, and wine, we’ve also included all of our top tips on how to vary this wine co*cktail to your specific tastes too!

Get the Red Sangria recipe.

2

Frozen Strawberry Margarita

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This fruit-forward margarita works best with frozen strawberries, so it doesn't get watered down! We love adding fresh basil for some sweet anise-y flavor, but other fresh herbs like mint or even cilantro can kick up the flavor of this sunny co*cktail.

Get the Frozen Strawberry Margarita recipe.

3

Sex On The Beach co*cktail

30 Memorial Day co*cktail Recipes We've Been Waiting 9 Months For (5)

Peachy, tart, and citrusy, this co*cktail is the perfect sipper for a warm Memorial Day. No matter where you're celebrating, this summer co*cktail will make you feel like you're on the beach.

Get the Sex On The Beach co*cktail recipe.

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4

Summer Shandy Punch

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Think of this as the boozy version of an Arnold Palmer—1/2 beer, 1/2 lemonade. We jazzed it up for summer with some fresh fruit and ginger beer too.

Get the Summer Shandy Punch recipe.

5

Michelada

30 Memorial Day co*cktail Recipes We've Been Waiting 9 Months For (7)

If you've never had a Michelada, you're in for a treat. The addition of hot sauce and lime juice add a spicy/sour kick that takes your average light beer from good to great. Thanks to our secret ingredient (soy sauce!), there's also a hint of umami flavor that keeps you coming back for more.

Get the Michelada recipe.

6

Boozy Cherry Bombs

30 Memorial Day co*cktail Recipes We've Been Waiting 9 Months For (8)

These aren't exactly a co*cktail, but they're full of Fireball whiskey and whipped-cream flavored vodka so we're counting them anyway. These patriotic cherries are exactly what your Memorial Day has been missing!

Get the Boozy Cherry Bombs recipe.

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7

Spiked Seltzer Slushies

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If you thought a can of White Claw was perfect on its own, you haven't given it a whirl in your blender. This recipe (if you can even call it that!) can be easily customized based on what flavors and fruits you prefer. Our favorite combos: lemon-flavored spiked seltzer + frozen strawberries or mango + frozen pineapple.

Get the Spiked Seltzer Slushies recipe.

8

Pineapple Margarita

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When we’re feeling the beach vibes, we reach for a pineapple margarita. Fresh and fruity with the perfect kick of tequila, this margarita will take you straight to the shore, frosty glass in hand, in less time than it takes to squeeze those limes.

Get the Pineapple Margarita recipe.

9

Dirty Shirley

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Bright and colorful, sweet with just a hint of booze, the Dirty Shirley Temple is quickly gaining popularity. It’s a boozy version of that nostalgic beverage so many of us grew up with—and let’s be honest, what too-sweet mocktail can’t be improved with a shot of vodka?

Get the Dirty Shirley recipe.

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10

Frozen Blue Moscato Margaritas

Wine lovers will absolutely love these margarita slushies because of the tasty addition of sweet moscato. Simply combine all ingredients, and blend 'em up!

Get the Frozen Blue Moscato Margaritas recipe.

11

Strawberry Jalapeño Mint Julep

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Don’t let Derby Day be your only excuse to make these mint juleps; they’re worthy all summer long. If you’re into spicy margaritas, then you’ll be able to handle the heat here; the jalapeño-infused simple syrup mellows out once it hits the cool mint and sweet berries.

Get the Strawberry Jalapeño Mint Julep recipe.

12

Seabreeze Drink

30 Memorial Day co*cktail Recipes We've Been Waiting 9 Months For (14)

This is basically the love child of a Cape Codder and a Salty Dog. Our version leans heavily on the latter, with a hefty pinch of salt to balance the bitter notes of a grapefruit and cranberry combo.

Get the Seabreeze Drink recipe.

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13

Frozen Sangria Margarita

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This drink alternates frozen layers of two of our favorite drinks—red wine sangria and tequila margaritas—for the the perfect boozy Memorial Day sipper.

Get the Frozen Sangria Margarita recipe.

14

Strawberry Mezcal Margarita

30 Memorial Day co*cktail Recipes We've Been Waiting 9 Months For (16)

With an earthy, slightly smoky flavor, mezcal brings a uniquely savory quality to the typically tequila-based margarita. Add some fresh strawberries, and you have the perfect balance of sweet, tart, and a hint of smokiness. If you're looking for a way to shake up your classic summer co*cktail, this is it.

Get the Strawberry Mezcal Margarita recipe.

15

Ranch Water

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A sort of effervescent, less-sweet version of a margarita, only 3 ingredients are required for Ranch Water: tequila, lime juice, and seltzer. (Preferably Topo Chico; some claim it’s not a real Ranch Water without it!) We like adding a splash of orange liqueur like Cointreau for a little added sweetness and citrus flavor too.

Get the Ranch Water recipe.

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16

Blueberry Lemonade Margaritas

30 Memorial Day co*cktail Recipes We've Been Waiting 9 Months For (18)

Turn your margarita into summer goals with this blueberry lemon version. Have some leftover blueberry simple syrup? It tastes AMAZING in seltzer water, and is a great sweetener for iced tea too.

Get the Blueberry Lemonade Margaritas recipe.

17

Long Island Iced Tea

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How does this classic co*cktail, with its combination of 5 different kinds of alcohol, manage to taste incredible and resemble the taste of a lemony sweet iced tea? Other than those spirits and the all-important splash of co*ke, it all comes down to an easy homemade sour mix.

Get the Long Island Iced Tea recipe.

18

Blackberry Mojito

30 Memorial Day co*cktail Recipes We've Been Waiting 9 Months For (20)

Crushed, ripe blackberries give this mojito a tart-sweet kick, but feel free use any of your favorite summery fruits. Take inspo from our mojitos, 3 ways recipe, or get creative!

Get the Blackberry Mojito recipe.

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19

Rainbow Candy Pops

30 Memorial Day co*cktail Recipes We've Been Waiting 9 Months For (21)

These boozy stunners are so easy to make with a popsicle mold of any shape. Simply wind your sweet or sour ropes around the mold, pour in your vodka and lemon-lime soda, and freeze!

Get the Rainbow Candy Pops recipe.

20

Frozen Margarita Sangria

30 Memorial Day co*cktail Recipes We've Been Waiting 9 Months For (22)

This drink alternates frozen layers of two of our favorite drinks—red wine sangria and tequila margaritas—for the perfect boozy Memorial Day sipper.

Get the Frozen Sangria Margarita recipe.

30 Memorial Day co*cktail Recipes We've Been Waiting 9 Months For (2024)

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