Memorial Day weekend heralds the start of summer, prompting countless Americans to travel, take advantage of holiday sales, and host gatherings at home. This holiday is synonymous with grilling and outdoor parties, commonly featuring barbecue staples. However, it’s also a perfect opportunity to enjoy refreshing cocktails that celebrate the season’s vibrant flavors like lemonade, watermelon, strawberries, and grapefruit.
Unlike other holidays, Memorial Day doesn’t have a specific spirit associated with it, allowing for a diverse selection of cocktails ranging from mezcal to vodka, Scotch to rum, and tequila to gin. Here’s a collection of 16 cocktail ideas that are perfect for Memorial Day weekend:
Tomatini
A twist on the classic martini, this cocktail uses muddled tomatoes for a fresh take.
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe Campari tomato, quartered
- 1 ½ oz Ketel One Vodka
- ¹⁄₃ oz white balsamic vinegar
- A pinch of salt and black pepper
- 1 bar spoon of simple syrup
- Black pepper and cherry tomato for garnish
Method:Muddle the tomato quarters in a shaker. Add the remaining ingredients and ice, then shake well. Double strain into a martini glass and garnish.
Wild Turkey Paper Plane
A modern classic that’s both refreshing and balanced.
Ingredients:
- ¾ oz Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon
- ¾ oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
- ¾ oz Amaro Averna
- ¾ oz Aperol
Method:Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a rocks glass. Garnish with a lemon wheel.
Lemon Wedge
A simple yet delightful cocktail that highlights whisky and lemonade.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz Dewar’s 12 Year Old
- 2 oz lemonade
- 3 oz club soda
Method:Combine ingredients in a highball glass over ice, stir, and garnish with a lemon wedge.
Roasted Strawberry Margarita
A sweet and smoky margarita featuring roasted strawberries.
Ingredients:
- 1 oz Cointreau
- 2 oz mezcal
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 0.5 oz roasted strawberry puree
Method:Prepare the puree by broiling strawberries, then blend. Shake all ingredients with ice, fine strain over ice into a rocks glass.
Piña Spritz
A tropical spritz that combines pineapple and coconut flavors.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz Buchanan’s Pineapple
- 1 oz coconut water
- 5 oz club soda
- Tajín for rimming
Method:Rim the glass with Tajín, fill with ice, pour in ingredients, and garnish with a pineapple slice.
Orange Creamsicle
A frozen treat with a boozy twist.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz Baileys Original Irish Cream
- 0.75 oz orange liqueur
- 0.75 oz simple syrup
- ¾ cup ice
Method:Blend until smooth, pour into a chilled glass, and garnish with an orange wedge.
Royal Blackberry Lemonade
Bright and refreshing, perfect for summer gatherings.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz Crown Royal Blackberry
- 6 oz lemonade
Method:Combine in a highball glass filled with ice. Garnish with blackberries and lemon slices.
Patrón 100 Highball
This highball features Patrón 100, a bold tequila.
Ingredients:
- 1.25 oz Patrón 100 Tequila
- 0.5 oz honey syrup
- 0.5 oz passion fruit puree
- 0.75 oz adjusted mandarin juice
Method:Shake all ingredients and top with soda in a Collins glass.
Gray Whale Surfrider Splash
A refreshing drink made with small-batch vodka.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz Gray Whale Vodka
- 2 oz lemonade
- 2 oz sparkling water
Method:Mix ingredients in a Collins glass filled with ice. Garnish with lemon and mint.
Smoky Paloma
This variation of the classic Paloma uses a non-alcoholic mezcal.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz Undone No. 4 Not Mezcal
- 3 oz Thomas Henry Pink Grapefruit
- 0.75 oz fresh lime juice
- A pinch of smoked salt
Method:Mix ingredients with ice and strain into a highball glass. Garnish with a grapefruit wheel.
Avaline Spiced Pear Sangria
A light and flavorful sangria.
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle Avaline Red Wine
- 2 Bartlett pears, sliced
- 2 oranges, sliced
- 6 cinnamon sticks
- 2 cups pear juice
Method:Combine ingredients in a pitcher and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
Take Me Away
A cocktail that offers an escape to summer vibes.
Ingredients:
- 2 parts Espolòn Tequila Añejo
- 0.5 part Ancho Reyes Original Chile Liqueur
- 0.25 part Banana Liqueur
- A pinch of salt
- A drop of tiki bitters
Method:Stir the ingredients in a mixing glass with ice, then strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube and express an orange peel on top.
Rosa Regale Sparkling Rosé Grapefruit Spritz
Celebrate with a bubbly and fruity spritz.
Ingredients:
- 3 oz Rosa Regale Sparkling Rosé
- 1 oz orange liqueur
- ½ oz grapefruit juice
- 2 oz club soda
Method:Shake all but the sparkling Rosé with ice, strain, and top with Rosa Regale. Garnish with mint and orange peel.
Lyre’s Amalfi Spritz
A non-alcoholic twist on the classic spritz.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Lyre’s Italian Spritz
- 3 oz Lyre’s Classico
Method:Combine in a glass, stir, fill with ice, and garnish with an orange slice.
McQueen Cucumber Refresher
A floral gin cocktail perfect for warm days.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz McQueen Vodka
- Soda water
- Cucumber slices
- Mint and basil
Method:Muddle the cucumber and herbs, add ice and vodka, strain into a glass, and top with soda water. Garnish with cucumber ribbons.
Bumbu Banger
A rum-based refreshing drink great for summer.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Bumbu Original
- 2 oz strawberry puree
- 0.5 oz lime juice
- Ginger ale
Method:Shake Bumbu, strawberry, and lime with ice. Strain into a glass with ice and top with ginger ale, garnishing with a lime wheel.
These cocktails are sure to elevate any Memorial Day celebration, inviting guests to indulge in the tastes and spirit of summer.