11 Best Beach Drinks | Cocktails and Recipes

best beach drinks

Most of us can’t wait for that fulfilling summer beach time after a long cold season. But what makes it even more exciting?  Beach drinks! That’s right!

With the summer months here with us, all roads lead to the beach. Who doesn’t want to enjoy that refreshing beach swim on a hot summer afternoon? Well, I always look forward to making each beach visit as memorable as possible.

But what is beach time without a cool refreshing drink? It’s certainly not beach time! (I know most can relate).  But, which are these beach drinks that will make your summer swim all blissful?

While you’ll not be having your favorite bartender with you, you can still enjoy some of your favorite drinks.

Some primary rules you should note here, though: the drink must be cool, refreshing, and fully formed. This will guarantee that you stay cool and hydrated, even in the hottest weather and the salty seawater.

Whether you’re going surfing at Cardiff State Beach, San Diego, or enjoying an evening swim at some stunning beach in Maui, Hawaii, a great drink makes it even more worthwhile.

So, while packing your cooler, here are some amazing beach drinks you should consider:

Best Beach Drinks Recipe

  1. Tequila

best beach drinks

This must also have clicked your mind! Tequila is undoubtedly a summertime favorite, anytime, anywhere.

Since you need to pack your beach drinks in a cooler, anything you think of should allow you to do just. A Fresca and tequila combo perfectly fits this description, and it’s certain to offer the much desired refreshing nudge for a perfect day.

Better still, some sweetened watermelon juice ice cubes will ensure that the hot rays from the summer sun don’t get the best of you. Put some of these ice cubes into a tequila pitcher, add more juice or water, and allow the flavors to blend.

There’s no better feeling than a sip of such a cool and refreshing drink on a hot summer day.

  1. Hard Seltzer

hard seltzer

Also known as spiked seltzer, this is a great beach drink containing sparkling water, alcohol, and fruit juice flavoring. And since you don’t want to get all stoned at the beach, this average alcoholic drink sounds like a perfect choice for your summertime beach drinks.

The alcohol contained in these drinks is mainly made from fermented sugar cane or malted barley. If you don’t want the “belly-full” feeling a beer brings, a hard seltzer is might be just what you need.

The good thing is that they come in several flavors, and you can pick your favorite. Also, unlike many DIY beach cocktails, this one is already formed.

Currently, companies are making health-conscious products, like the Vizzy hard seltzer, which comes packed with antioxidant vitamin C and a mere 100 calories for a 12-ounce can. And it’s also gluten-free and low in carbs.

So, for a revitalizing, health-friendly beach drink, try out hard seltzers.

  1. Sex on the Beach Cocktail

Feeling like trying out something crazy? This cocktail is among the most amazing drinks for the beach. The sex on the beach recipe includes vodka, orange juice, peach schnapps, and cranberry juice – this is the International Bartenders Association’s official cocktail.

You cannot make your beach time any better than with a sip of cold peachy and citrusy cocktail on a hot day.

And, if you’ve not made it yourself before, here are the basic ingredients:

  • Ice cubes
  • 1.5 ounces vodka
  • 2 ounces orange juice
  • 1 ounces peach schnapps
  • 2 ounces cranberry juice

You can prepare it in the morning before your tour and pack it in a discreet, insulated water bottle for later use. Just remember not to overdo it. It can be quite loaded, especially if you’re a rookie drinker.

  1. Rum Punch

For a taste of the Caribbean finest, a rum punch will do the trick. The best thing here is that a rum punch cocktail isn’t so hard to make, even for a first-timer. All you need are a few ingredients, and your beach time will be all lit.

The main recipe for a rum punch cocktail includes rum (dark, light, or coconut), plus a good share of fruit juice such as lemon or lime, pineapple, and orange. And you can add some grenadine for color and ice cubes to keep it cool. How much of the ingredients to use varies with each cocktail, and your imagination will certainly define your drink.

With rum punch, you don’t have to worry about the “No glasses at the beach†rule. A plastic thermos will allow you to discreetly carry and enjoy your drink anytime at your favorite beach.

  1. Margarita

margarita drink

Who said you couldn’t enjoy a refreshing margarita while busking on a beach somewhere in summer? That notion can never be more wrong! There are several margarita styles that fit in the “best beach drinks” category.

For instance, there are those that use orange liqueur as a sweetener, while others use agave.  If you want the best cocktail for your next beach tour, something lighter and cleaner works best. An agave-sweetened margarita is the best version of this.

You can prepare it in the morning before traveling, or even a day earlier if necessary.

Ingredients for two beach drinks will include:

  • 4 ounces silver tequila
  • 2 ounces Cointreau
  • 0.5 ounces of light agave
  • 2 ounces lime juice
  • 0.5 ounces of water (room temperature)
  • 0.5 ounces of hot water

If you want more, especially if you are going swimming as a group, just add the ingredients proportionately. One crucial thing to note here is that while this drink might go down easy, it’s also quite loaded. Don’t overdo it.

  1. Spiked Strawberry Lemonade

This is exactly as the name goes – “spiked strawberry lemonade.†While lemonade is still one of the staple beach drinks, spiking it with some booze makes it even more appealing. You can opt for a gin, vodka, or white rum to prepare your cocktail.

But what exactly do you need to make this special beach drink?  Well, for a pack of six beach drinks, here are your ingredients:

  • Vodka, white rum, or gin – 9 ounces
  • 6 average-sized strawberries
  • fresh lemon juice – 4.5 ounces
  • 4.5 oz. of simple syrup
  • 16-oz bottle carbonated water
  • Lemon wheels (optional)

How to Prepare:

Mix the vodka, simple syrup, and lemon in a sealable flask or container, starring it until it’s fully blended. Add some sliced strawberries (peeled) to the container, and refrigerate the mixture.

Once at the beach, thoroughly shake the container and pour yourself a drink in a cup or plastic glass with ice cubes. Add about 2 ounces of soda water to the drink. Now relax and enjoy your drink as you bask in the warm summer sun.

  1. Wine

Sometimes you just want to take a sip of your favorite wine as you marvel at the beauty of the beaches and the afternoon waves. While you may not take your exclusive wine bottle with you, you, most certainly, can carry your wine.

A vacuum insulated water bottle (about 750 ml) is the perfect solution. It can fit a whole wine bottle’s content and maintain the perfect temperatures for your enjoyment. Even better, the bottle is discrete, meaning that even when alcohol drinking is frowned upon, you can still enjoy a sip of your favorite.

Wine is one of the best beach drinks to take to the beach if you don’t want the hassle of making that tailored cocktail (although it’s never too much trouble).

  1. Mojitos

mojitos

Do you want to bring the beauty of Havana, Cuba, to your nearest local beach? Mojito is your answer. This traditional Cuban highball is among the easiest beach drinks to prepare, and that offers incredible results (if you know what I mean).

Mojito beach drinks recipe will consist of white rum, lime juice, sugar, mint, and soda water. This combination includes sweetness, herbaceous mint, and citrus flavors, which complements the rum, making it one of the best summertime beach cocktails.

To prepare the best cocktail, use the following ingredients:

  • 1.5 oz. white rum
  • Fresh lime juice – 1 oz.
  • Soda water
  • 1 oz. simple syrup or sugar (2 teaspoons)
  • 6 mint leaves

These amounts will vary with how many mojitos you want to prepare. First, add the fresh lime juice to sugar and mint leaves, and gently mash the mixture with a muddler. Ensure that you use bruised mint leaves to allow essential oils to dissolve into the solution.

Finally, add rum to the mixture, gently stir to dissolve the sugar, and refrigerate the solution in a sealable container. After your exciting summer swim, you can pour a cup of this amazing cocktail, add some soda water and enjoy the refreshing cool feeling.

  1. Beach Blondie

If alcohol is not your thing, or you are just not into it for the moment, Beach Blondie can sort you out. This is among the best non-alcoholic drinks to have on the beach, which gives you just as much fun. The cocktail is easy to make, and it doesn’t require complex ingredients.

So what do you require?

  • Ice
  • Strawberry
  • Vanilla
  • Coconut water
  • Pineapple
  • Banana

These are all items you can easily purchase from your nearest store.

When it comes to preparation, this beach drink doesn’t need any experience or special instructions. Simply take a blender, add the ingredients (no particular order), and blend.

Transfer this mixture into a sealable container and refrigerate. You can now enjoy your drink whenever you want.

A taste of this cool and revitalizing drink will certainly make your bright day even brighter.

  1. Rosemary Beach

rosemary beach drink recipe

This is among those select beach drinks that sound exquisite by just the sound of its name. And the ingredients make it even more appealing. The lime juice, rosemary syrup, and tequila form the base of this incredible cocktail.

Here is what you’ll need to make this summertime beach drink:

  • 1.5 ounces tequila
  • 0.75 ounces rosemary syrup
  • 0.75 lime juice
  • Champagne

A lemon twist would also be great for garnish.

Preparation

Make a mixture of lime juice, tequila, and rosemary syrup, using an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake well for the best mixture, then drain and it into a sealable container. Top it up with Champagne and refrigerate.

Use a chilled cooler to keep the drinks cool under the hot summer sun. This will ensure that you have the most refreshing moments with each sip.

Remember to carry some plastic tumblers for the drinks.

See Related: Best Rooftop Tents: Top Options for 2023

  1. Brown Derby

While not as popular as some of the above beach-themed drinks, this classic blend is still a summertime gem. Diluting bourbon with grapefruit juice and honey brings out the best of this American whiskey. And, to make it beach-friendly and more refreshing, adding a splash of soda will do the trick.

Ingredients do you need for a single drink?

  • 1.5 oz. bourbon
  • 1 oz. grapefruit juice
  • 0.5 oz. hot water
  • 0.5 oz. honey
  • Carbonated water

And if you want, you can garnish your drink with a grapefruit wedge (at the beach).

Preparation

First, dissolve honey in hot water, stirring it thoroughly to make the desired honey syrup. Mix this syrup with grapefruit juice, add the bourbon, and stir. Finally, put the mixture into a sealable container or insulated flask, and refrigerate.

You can use a chilled cooler to carry your drinks and keep them cool even under the scorching sun. Also, ensure that the sparkling water is in the cooler too.

Once you’re ready to take a sip of your cocktail, ensure you first shake the container well, then pour it into a plastic tumbler (to avoid glasses on the beach). Add around an ounce of carbonated water and enjoy.

Related Resources