Why we love this recipe

Want to pair it with food? Try any of these 60 Summer Recipes or 15 Best Summer Dinner Ideas.

In college I studied abroad in Madrid and my experiences there have stuck with me to this day: eating my first paella, inhaling patatas bravas in tapas bars, and sipping creamy cafe con leche.

Of course, another great memory is glasses of fruity red sangria! Here’s a spin on the classic that’s a fun spin on the traditional drink: this frozen sangria recipe. It’s icy and refreshing, citrusy and red-wine forward: really, an ideal summer drink for any occasion!

Wait, frozen sangria?

Sangría is a traditional wine punch that originates from Spain. A classic sangria is made with red wine and chopped fruit, and often orange juice or brandy. There are lots of sangria variations as well (we’ve made peach sangria, white sangria, strawberry sangria, and apple cider sangria).

Frozen sangria is a variation on sangria that’s frozen, like a slushie. Of course, it’s not an authentic Spanish drink: it’s more of an American invention honoring the Spanish alcoholic punch. But the method makes for a festive frozen alcoholic drink that tastes like sangria and great for parties!

Like our frozen margarita and frozen mojito, we’ve added this one to our summer party repertoire and it’s here to stay.

More Spanish recipes

While frozen sangria is not traditionally Spanish, we have several recipes that are inspired by my time in Spain! Try these recipes:

• Spanish Patatas Bravas
• Pan Con Tomate
• Spanish Paella
• Seafood Paella on an Open Fire
• Romesco Sauce
• Paella with Shrimp
• Vegetarian Paella
• Grilled Paella

Oh hello, Espresso Martini. This 1980’s cocktail vaulted into popularity in 2021, and it’s easy to see why. Bittersweet coffee pairs perfectly with the rich sweetness of Kahlua—add vodka and it makes a sophisticated drink that’s cool, frothy, and bittersweet!

Why we love this recipe: Alex and I are cocktail experts with over 300 cocktail recipes in our library, and we’re homemade coffee drink enthusiasts. As you might expect, this combination of both is a fast favorite over here. We love mixing up this frothy, cool, bittersweet drink for friends and family—or ourselves, for a fun at-home date night!

Espresso Martini ingredients

The Espresso Martini is a vodka martini made with coffee, known for its rich flavor and frothy topping. It was invented in 1983 by bartender Dick Bradsell in London for a customer who asked for a drink to wake her up. Apparently the coffee machine was right next to the drink station, and the Espresso Martini was born!

There are several variations on what a Espresso Martini recipe looks like. The original version had two types of coffee liqueur and simple syrup. Today, it really varies based on on the bartender. Per the International Bartender Association’s list of IBA official cocktails, the Espresso Martini ingredients are:

• Vodka
• Kahlua or coffee liqueur, like Tia Maria or Sheridan
• Espresso or double strength coffee or cold brew concentrate
• Simple syrup

Frozen variation

Want to make a fun frosty spin on this drink that’s even easier to make? Try the Frozen Espresso Martini! This recipe makes 2 to 3 drinks in a blender and it’s so frosty and delicious. It’s perfect for summer, but we like to drink it in any season.

More coffee cocktails

Are you into spiked coffee? Boozy coffee drinks combine the beautiful bittersweet flavor of coffee into fantastic mixed drinks. Here are some of our favorite coffee cocktails:

• Mix up a White Russian or Black Russian, classic cocktails made with vodka and Kahlua.
• Try a classic Irish Coffee, or other spiked coffees like Amaretto Coffee, Kahlua Coffee, Spanish Coffee or a Carajillo.
• Try the Espresso Margarita instead.

Types of alcohol: an overview

There are several main categories of types of alcohol. Base liquors and liqueurs are distilled spirits, and wine and beer are distilled spirits or fermented alcohol. In each section, we’ll share the liquor names, popular brands, and examples of the top cocktails made with each alcohol. Types of alcohol include:

• Base liquors (gin, vodka, whiskey, tequila, rum, brandy)
• Liqueurs (amaretto, Kahlua, Campari, Baileys, and more)
• Wines and fortified wines (vermouth, sherry, marsala)
• Beer

6 base liquor names

A liquor is a distilled alcoholic drink, also called a spirit. This category includes 6 base liquors: gin, vodka, whiskey, tequila, rum, and brandy. It also includes liqueurs, distilled spirits that are flavored with sugar, fruits, herbs, or spices. Liqueurs are generally lower proof alcohol. Here’s more about these 6 base types of alcohol:

Gin

Gin is a distilled liquor that gets its flavor from juniper berries.

• Popular brand names: Tanqueray Gin, London Dry Gin, Old Tom Gin
• Top cocktails: Gin Fizz, Gin and Tonic, Tom Collins, and Best Gin Cocktails

Vodka

Vodka is a clear distilled liquor from Europe with a neutral flavor.

• Popular brand names: Tito’s Vodka, Skyy Vodka, Absolut Vodka
• Top cocktails: Moscow Mule, Bloody Mary, Cosmo, Espresso Martini, and Best Vodka Cocktails

Whiskey

Whiskey is a distilled liquor made from grain mash. There are many types of whiskey from different regions. Popular styles are Bourbon, Rye Whiskey, Scotch Whisky, Canadian Whisky, Japanese Whisky, Tennessee Whiskey and Irish Whiskey. There are also flavored whiskies, like Peanut Butter Whiskey and Fireball Whisky.

• Info: Types of Whiskey, Rye Whiskey Guide, Irish Whiskey Guide, Bourbon vs Whiskey, Scotch vs Whiskey, Fireball Whisky Guide, and Peanut Butter Whiskey Guide
• Popular brand names: Maker’s Mark (Bourbon), Woodford Reserve (Bourbon), Jameson (Irish Whiskey), Crown Royal (Canadian Whisky), Jack Daniels (Tennessee Whiskey), Skrewball (Peanut Butter Whiskey)
• Top cocktails: Whiskey Sour, Old Fashioned, and Best Whiskey Cocktails
• See also: Top Whiskey Cocktails, Bourbon Cocktails, Rye Whiskey Cocktails, Irish Whiskey Cocktails, Scotch Cocktails, Crown Royal Cocktails, Fireball Drinks, and Peanut Butter Whiskey Cocktails

Tequila

Tequila is a Mexican distilled spirit made from a specific type of agave: the blue agave plant, or agave tequiliana. Mezcal is the category of spirit made from any variety of agave, so tequila is a type of mezcal. Styles of tequila include blanco, reposado, and añejo.

• Info: Types of Tequila: Blanco vs Reposado vs Añejo, Mezcal vs Tequila
• Popular brand names: Patrón Silver Tequila, Jose Cuervo Tequila
• Top cocktails: Margarita, Paloma and Best Tequila Cocktails
• See also: Top Mezcal Cocktails

Rum

Rum is a distilled liquor made from sugarcane molasses or juice. Styles of rum include white rum, golden rum, dark rum, and aged rum. Cachaça (used in the popular Caiprinha) is considered a type of Brazilian rum. Coconut rum is considered a coconut liqueur, because of the added sugar and low alcohol level.

• Popular brand names: Bacardi Rum, Capitan Morgan Rum, Goslings Black Seal Rum, Malibu Coconut Rum (considered a coconut liqueur)
• Top cocktails: Mojito, Daiquiri, Best Rum Cocktails, Dark Rum Cocktails, or White Rum Cocktails

Brandy

Brandy is a liquor made from distilling wine or other fruit, like apples or apricot. Popular styles include Cognac, Armagnac, Calvados, Spanish Brandy (Brandy de Jerez), American Brandy, and Pisco.

• Popular brand names: Hennessy Cognac, Rémy Martin Cognac
• Top cocktails: Sidecar, Brandy Alexander, 10 Cognac Cocktails or 15 Best Brandy Cocktails

Other Distilled Spirits

Aquavit is a Scandinavian distilled spirit, similar to vodka or gin. Go to Quick Guide to Aquavit.

Liqueur Names

Liqueurs are type of alcohol made by mixing a distilled spirit with plant materials. The official US definition of a liqueur is that alcohol must be mixed with plant products and sweeteners to at least 2.5% by weight. Here are some liquor names of popular liqueurs:

Absinthe

Absinthe is a green anise-flavored spirit made from distilling alcohol with botanicals like wormwood, anise, fennel and other herbs. Go to Quick Guide to Absinthe and Top Absinthe Cocktails.

Amaretto

Amaretto is an Italian almond-flavored liqueur invented in 1851. Go to Quick Guide to Amaretto and Top Amaretto Cocktails.

Amaro

Amaro or amari is a family of Italian herbal liqueurs that taste bitter (amaro means bitter in Italian). Popular types of amari include: Averna, Nonino, Montenegro, Cynar, Fernet Branca, Campari, and Aperol. Go to Best Amaro Cocktails.

Benedictine 

Benedictine is an herbal liqueur made in France with 27 different herbs, flowers, berries and spices. See Vieux Carre or Singapore Sling.

Cappelletti

Cappelletti is an Italian red bitter with a sweet flavor, like an easier-to-drink version of Campari. See Quick Guide to Cappelletti.

Campari

Campari is a popular bright red Italian amaro invented in the 1860’s with a very bitter flavor. See Quick Guide to Campari and Best Campari Cocktails.

Chambord 

Chambord is a black raspberry liqueur made in France. Despite the historic looking bottle, the brand started in the 1980’s. See Quick Guide to Chambord.

Chartreuse 

Chartreuse is a French herbal liqueur that’s been made by monks since 1737 with a blend of 130 plants. See Quick Guide to Chartreuse and Top Chartreuse Cocktails.

Drambuie 

Drambuie is a liqueur made from Scotch that tastes sweet, with flavors of honey, spices and herbs. See Rusty Nail.

Jagermeister

Jägermeister is a German digestif liqueur made with 56 different herbs and botanicals, invented in 1934. It’s thick and syrupy, with strong anise notes on the finish. See Quick Guide to Jagermeister.

Galliano

Galliano L’Autentico is a bright yellow, sweet herbal Italian liqueur. See Quick Guide to Galliano & Top Cocktails.

Hpnotiq

Hpnotiq (pronounced “Hypnotic”) is a sky blue liqueur flavored with passionfruit and mango, invented in 2001. See Quick Guide to Hpnotiq and Hpnotiq Drinks.

Irish Cream (Baileys)

Irish Cream is a liqueur made with Irish whiskey, cream, and cocoa. The top brand is Baileys Irish Cream. See Quick Guide to Baileys Irish Cream and Irish Cream Cocktails.

Licor 43 

Licor 43 is a bright yellow, vanilla flavored Spanish liqueur was invented in 1946. See Quick Guide to Licor 43 and Licor 43 Cocktails.

Limoncello 

Limoncello is a popular Italian lemon liqueur with a strong lemon flavor. See Quick Guide to Limoncello.

Maraschino Liqueur

Maraschino liqueur is a clear, cherry-flavored liqueur used in many classic cocktails. See Guide to Maraschino Liqueur and Maraschino Cocktails.

Midori

Midori is a green, honeydew melon-flavored Japanese liqueur released in the 1970’s. See Quick Guide to Midori and Top Midori Cocktails.

Pastis or Pernod

Pastis and Pernod are French anise-flavored liqueurs invented after absinthe was banned in France in 1915. See Quick Guide to Pernod and Pastis Drink.

Pimm’s

Pimm’s No. 1 is a flavored gin-based liqueur made with fruit and herbs and caramel red in color. See Pimm’s Cup.

Schnapps

Schnapps is a distilled spirit made by fermenting fruit juices along with the base liquor. There are dozens of types including the popular peppermint schnapps, cinnamon schnapps, and peach schnapps. See Peach Schnapps Drinks and Peppermint Schnapps.

St Germain

St Germain is a liqueur released in 2007 made with elderflowers, the small white flowers of an elderberry plant. See Quick Guide to St Germain and St Germain Cocktails.

Suze 

Suze is a French bitter aperitif made from the gentian root, released in 1889. See White Negroni.

Brewed Types of Alcohol: Wine, Beer and Sake

Wine and beer are types of brewed alcohol, not distilled spirits like base liquor and liqueurs. Here are some common types of each:

Wine

Wine is an alcoholic beverage made with fermented grape juice. It’s consumed all over the world, both straight and mixed into drinks. See 15 Best Wine Cocktails and 13 Easy Champagne Cocktails. The main types of wine are:

• Red wine
• White wine
• Rosé wine
• Sparkling wine like Champagne (French), Prosecco (Italian), and Cava (Spanish)
• Fortified wine (see below)

Fortified Wine

Fortified wine is a type of alcohol that adds a distilled spirit (usually brandy) to a wine to stabilize it. Aromatized wine is a type of fortified wine that has added natural flavors like fruits, herbs and other botanicals. Some fortified wines are drunk straight or used in cooking. Vermouth is the most popular fortified wine used in cocktails. Some fortified wines are very sweet and also known as dessert wines.

Lillet or Cocchi Americano

Lillet is a French aperitif: an aromatized wine that’s flavored with herbs and citrus. There are are several types of Lillet made of different wines: Lillet Blanc, Lillet Rosé and Lillet Rouge. Cocchi Americano is a similar aperitif that’s Italian, with a sweeter flavor as it’s made from Moscato wine. See Quick Guide to Lillet Blanc or Quick Guide to Cocchi Americano.

Madeira is a fortified wine made in Portugal with styles ranging from dry to sweet. Marsala is a fortified wine made in Sicily, and also has style ranging from dry to sweet. Both work as an aperitif (before dinner) or digestif (after dinner), or in cooking.

Port is a sweet fortified wine from Portugal, usually served as a dessert wine. See White Port and Tonic.

Sherry

Sherry is a fortified wine made in Spain: it’s made by adding grape liquor to white wine. The flavor is sharp, with a scent of apple cider and a very dry finish.

Vermouth

Vermouth is a liquor, but it’s a fortified wine, not a distilled spirit. It’s used as a supporting character in many popular cocktails. Styles include dry, sweet, semi-dry, and semi-sweet. See Negroni, Manhattan. and Top Vermouth Cocktails.

Beer is an alcoholic beverage made from fermenting cereal grains, most commonly barley. It’s consumed all over the world, both straight and in cocktails. See Top Beer Cocktails. Beers generally fall into two brewing methods, lager beer and ale.  Within each class there are different styles varying by color, bitterness/sweetness, density, and alcoholic content.  Below are some of the most common styles:

• Ales:  Blonde Ale, Brown Ale, Pale Ale, and India Pale Ale (IPA), Sour Ale, Porter, Stout
• Lager:  American Lager, Lite Lager, Pilsner, Wheat Beer, Amber, Dark

Sake

Sake (pronounced sah-kay) is a Japanese fermented rice liquor, sometimes called rice wine. It has a smooth flavor with a dry finish, like dry white wine or dry vermouth. See Sake Southside Cocktail.

Other Fermented Beverages

• Mead is a fermented alcoholic beverage made with honey, water, and yeast.
• Hard cider is a fermented alcoholic beverage made from the juice of apples.

Here’s your signature summer cocktail: the frozen espresso martini! The classic espresso martini has vaulted into one of the most popular cocktails in America. So why not try a frozen spin on the classic?

We created our own spin on this recipe and it is extremely simple to make! Many recipes call for making espresso and freezing it into ice cubes, but who has time for that? You can make our version in just 5 minutes in a blender. The creamy, frosty flavor with rich coffee undertones is absolutely divine. We can’t wait for you to try it!

Ingredients in a frozen espresso martini

As cocktail experts with over 300 cocktail recipes in our library, this one has a special place in our hearts! It came about as a happy accident. Wondering if we could simply use bottled cold brew coffee in a frozen version of the classic Espresso Martini, we whipped out our blender. Turns out, it works perfectly—meaning you can have the frozen version of this cocktail ready in just 5 minutes. Here are the ingredients you’ll need:

• Vodka: The smooth, neutral spirit provides a base for the cocktail, allowing the other flavors to shine.
• Kahlúa: This coffee liqueur adds sweetness and a hint of rum complexity to the mix.
• Cold brew coffee (or strong coffee): The strong, concentrated coffee brings the bold, caffeinated essence of espresso to the martini without the need to make espresso. You can also make coffee using your favorite method: make it double strength and chill it before blending.
• Sugar: Sugar balances the bitterness of the coffee and enhances the overall flavor. If desired, you can substitute with simple syrup, maple syrup, or agave syrup, using ¾ of the sugar specified in the recipe.
• Ice: Crushed or cubed ice chills the cocktail and creates a frosty, refreshing texture.

How to make a frozen espresso martini: step by step

Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, the frozen espresso martini is quick and simple to blend. Here are the basic steps (or scroll down for the recipe):

What’s a simple gin cocktail?

How do we define simple here? We’ve got a whole list of our best gin cocktails that includes all the classics. This collection is a sub-set of gin cocktails that take 5 minutes and are made with only a few ingredients and no fancy techniques. Many of them you can build right in the glass, so you don’t even need to dirty a cocktail shaker!

There’s everything from two-ingredient gin cocktails to simple bubbly highballs. Here’s what to mix with gin (tonic water and beyond!) to make an easy, breezy drink to enjoy. Alex and I have made these recipes multiple times, and we love every one of them! Some top favorites are the Gin Rickey, Gin Gin Mule, and Salty Dog.

This cocktail might be the literal definition of refreshing. If you love bubbly spritzes, run don’t walk to try the Hugo Spritz cocktail! This Italian cocktail is a spin-off on the Aperol spritz and even better, in our opinion.

Why we love this recipe: A Hugo Spritz is made with delicate floral elderflower liqueur and bubbly Prosecco, which compliment each other perfectly. The bubbly combination transports you right to Northern Italy, where this cocktail was born and is popular to this day! It’s nuanced and lightly sweet, compared to the bold sweetness of an Aperol spritz.

How to make a Hugo Spritz cocktail

The Hugo cocktail is so easy to make: you don’t even have to dirty a cocktail shaker! The spritz family of drinks is fantastic because you simply pour the ingredients into a glass.

The Hugo spritz is easy to make, and you can build the drink it right in the glass. This makes it a great choice for entertaining, especially as a summer cocktail. Here are the basic steps (or jump to the full recipe):

Step 1: Add St-Germain to a glass filled with ice and stir. Top with sparkling wine.

Step 2: Add soda water. Garnish with fresh mint and serve.

Prosecco & more sparkling wines

Traditionally a Hugo spritz cocktail uses Prosecco, the Italian version of champagne. But you can use any type of sparkling wine you like! Make sure it is “Brut,” which means that it is dry. Here’s a breakdown of the major types of sparkling wine including Prosecco vs Champagne:

• Prosecco: Italian sparkling wine. It’s a slightly sweeter than champagne and has lighter bubbles. It’s fruity and flowery, with notes of apple, pear and lemon.
• Champagne: French sparkling wine. It tastes bubbly and fruity, with undertones of almond and orange. It’s typically the most expensive sparkling wine.
• Cava: Spanish sparkling wine. It has more citrus notes, and is a little more savory and less fruity.

More spritz recipes

There are lots of members of the spritz family! The Aperol spritz is the most popular, but try these other types of spritz recipes to enjoy bubbly drinks all season long:

• Try the famous and undeniably delicious Aperol Spritz
• Go bubbly and bitter with a Campari Spritz
• Try a unique caramel flavored Amaro Spritz
• Opt for a citrusy St Germain Spritz

How to make a limoncello spritz

The limoncello spritz is an incredibly easy to make drink! The spritz requires no cocktail shaker or juicing of citrus: you can build the drink it right in the glass. This makes it a great choice for entertaining, especially in the summer. Here are the basic steps for how to make a limoncello spritz:

Step 1: Stir 2 oz limoncello in a glass with ice to make it cold. Add 3 oz Prosecco and 1 oz soda water.

Step 2: Garnish with fresh mint and serve.

More lemon cocktails

Lemon flavored cocktails are some of the most refreshing alcoholic drinks! They’ve earned a place in our hearts for their forward citrusy flavor. Here are a few more lemon cocktails if you love limoncello:

• Go classic with a sugar-rimmed Lemon Drop Martini.
• Make a Limoncello Mojito or Limoncello Martini with this lemon liqueur.
• Try the famous Whiskey Sour, built on whiskey, lemon and simple syrup.
• Sip on the retro Gin Fizz Cocktail or easy Vodka Lemonade.

Lemon Drop MartiniVodka LemonadeGin FizzWhiskey SourLimoncello Mojito

How to make a Bushwacker drink: step by step

Once you’ve got your specialty liquors, mixing up the Bushwacker drink is a breeze! Here’s what to do (or jump to the full recipe):

• Step 1: Place 2 ounces (¼ cup) each rum, Kahlua, creme de cacao, cream of coconut, and 2% milk in a blender. Add 3 cups ice and blend.
• Step 2: Pour into a glass and garnish with a straw. Garnish with a maraschino cherry for a classic presentation. The drink tends to separate, which is normal: just stir it up with your straw while drinking!

Pro tip: There’s no dairy in any of the liqueurs in a Bushwacker drink, so it’s easy to make it a dairy free or vegan cocktail using oat milk.

Look for cream of coconut

Another important ingredient in the Bushwacker drink: cream of coconut! If you read one thing in this article, note this: Buy cream of coconut, not coconut cream! What’s the difference? Here’s what to know about cream of coconut vs coconut cream:

• Cream of coconut is a sweetened syrup for drinks, made with coconut cream and sugar. It’s sold in handy squeeze bottles (a popular brand is Coco Real). Cream of coconut is easy to find online or at liquor stores. Use up leftovers in coconut cocktails like the Piña Colada, Chi Chi, Painkiller, or Coconut Martini.
• Coconut cream is unsweetened, very thick, and has a strong coconut flavor. It’s typically sold in cans next to the coconut milk. Coconut cream is made from chilling coconut milk and then skimming off the layer of cream that floats to the top. Avoid using it in cocktails!

Use Kahlua or any coffee liqueur

The last ingredient of note in the Bushwacker drink is Kahlua, a popular brand of coffee liqueur. Here’s more about it:

• Kahlua is a coffee liqueur that’s made in Mexico. It’s made with rum, sugar and coffee. There’s no dairy in it: it’s naturally dark brown in color and tastes like sweetened coffee. Kahlua has caffeine, but only about 25% as much as the same volume of coffee.
• Is it worth buying? Yes, there are many Kahlua drinks! Try it in a Mudslide, Espresso Martini, B-52, Kahlua Coffee, Mind Eraser, Colorado Bulldog, Black Russian or White Russian.

More sweet & frozen drinks

The Bushwacker is one in a family of sweet cocktails and frozen alcoholic drinks. Here are a few related drinks you might enjoy:

• The Pina Colada, Painkiller and Chi Chi are variations using pineapple juice and cream of coconut.
• The best Strawberry Daiquiri is homemade, made from frozen strawberries!
• This Frozen Margarita is the icy version of everyone’s favorite, the margarita.
• Try a Frozen Mojito for a minty frozen version of the Mojito.

01

Painkiller Cocktail

02

Chi Chi Drink

03

Strawberry Daiquiri

04

Ultimate Frozen Margarita

Want a berry-based spin on your favorite drink? Try the blueberry margarita! As two cocktail experts we’ve made margarita recipes of every color of the rainbow, and one is solidly a favorite.

What we love about this recipe: This blueberry margarita has a beautifully sweet tart flavor and a fluorescent pink-purple hue. It’s great for impressing friends for a summer party or barbecue, or for mixing up a single drink to sip on the patio. Alex and I make a lot of margaritas, and outside of the classic margarita recipe this is one of our favorite fruity spins!

Ingredients in a blueberry margarita

The margarita is one of the most popular classic cocktails of all time, invented in Mexico in the 1930’s. The standard recipe is just 3 ingredients: tequila, orange liqueur (Triple Sec or Cointreau), and lime juice. For a blueberry margarita, all you need to do is muddle some fresh blueberries before shaking up the drink! To offset the tartness of the berries, you’ll need a hint of simple syrup. Here are the ingredients you’ll need:

• Tequila
• Cointreau or Triple Sec
• Lime juice
• Fresh blueberries
• Simple syrup

For the orange liqueur: Cointreau vs Triple Sec

What’s the best orange liqueur for a blueberry margarita: Cointreau or Triple Sec? You can use either, but we’ve got a favorite. Here’s what we recommend:

• Top choice: Cointreau. Cointreau is a premium orange liqueur with a developed-orange perfume flavor. It has notes of oak and vanilla, which make it taste more sophisticated than Triple Sec.
• Next choice: Triple Sec. Triple Sec is slightly less refined in flavor than Cointreau: it has a very straightforward orange essence (almost like orange vodka). But either work in a blueberry margarita.

How to make a blueberry margarita: step by step

Here are the basic steps for how to make a blueberry margarita! This margarita is muddled in a cocktail shaker: it’s not made in a blender like our strawberry margarita or raspberry margarita. Here are the basic steps (or jump to the full recipe):

• Step 1: Cut a notch in a lime wedge, then run the lime around the rim of a glass. Dip the edge of the rim into a plate of salt (or for a festive look, use Margarita Salt).
• Step 2: Place ¼ cup blueberries in the bottom of a cocktail shaker, and muddle them until fully mashed. Add the 1 ½ oz tequila, 1 oz Cointreau, ½ oz lime juice, and ½ oz simple syrup to a cocktail shaker and fill it with ice. Shake until cold.
• Step 3: Strain the margarita into the glass with the salted rim. Fill the glass with ice and garnish with a lime wedge and extra blueberries.

Why not add a little lager to your margarita? Yes, a beer margarita is a fun spin on the classic margarita, also known as a beergarita or a beerita. Turns out, hops pair perfectly with the tart lime and orange perfume of a margarita.

Why we love this recipe: Many beer margarita recipes call for frozen limeade concentrate. But that’s not what a great cocktail is made of, is it? This beer margarita recipe has no limeade: just pure lime juice against the citrus and bitter notes of a beer. It became an instant favorite around here!

What’s in a beer margarita?

As the name suggests, a beer margarita is simply a margarita served with beer. The margarita itself is a classic alcoholic drink on the list of International Bartender Association’s IBA official cocktails. The beerita adds beer to the mix, along with a little simple syrup:

• Tequila
• Cointreau (orange liqueur)
• Lime juice
• Beer
• Simple syrup

As mentioned above: most beer margarita recipes call for frozen limeade concentrate. For our take, we wanted to stick with the classic margarita: so we simply used our margarita recipe, plus beer and a hint of simple syrup. The flavor is so pure, tangy, and nuanced from the beer: it was an instant hit at our house!

How to make a beer margarita

To mix up your own beer margarita, there’s not much to it! You don’t even need to use a cocktail shaker with this one, which makes it even easier. Here’s what to do:

1. Rim the glass with salt. Salt enhances the sweet and sour flavors in the drink, and gives you that classic margarita flavor.
2. Stir together in the serving glass. Take the tequila, lime juice, simple syrup, and Cointreau, and stir it together in a glass.
3. Add ice and pour in the chilled beer. The beer adds just the right bubbly carbonation to this classic drink.

Ideas for the salt rim

For this beer margarita, we skipped the salt rim for a little variation. (Hey, we have 25 other margarita recipes and they all have a salt rim!) It’s not needed for the flavor. But if you love that classic margarita salty zing, feel free to add it prior to mixing up your beergarita.

The best salt for a salt rim? Use kosher salt or flaky sea salt, since they have the best coarse texture. If you want to make it look even more festive, try a batch of our margarita salt. The green and orange colors of lime and orange zest look beautiful against the glass.

Love margaritas but want a fruity spin? Try this tasty and refreshing Strawberry Margarita recipe! This one is frosty and fruity, full of sweet berry flavor and perfectly complimented with the zing of lime and tequila.

Why we love this recipe: The margarita pairs perfectly with fruit, and we’ve already got several fruity margarita recipes under our belt, like watermelon, mango and peach. But the strawberry margarita is our favorite! We’re 100% in love with its vibrant red color and sweet tart flavor.

How to make a strawberry margarita

The strawberry margarita is made in a blender, so it’s not the standard way to make a classic margarita. It’s actually even easier, since you don’t need a cocktail shaker! This strawberry margarita recipe makes two drinks, so you can drink with a friend or partner, or increase the amounts of a larger size. Here’s what to do (or go to the full recipe below):

1. Step 1: A salted rim is a must: the salt enhances the sweet and sour flavors in the drink.
2. Blend! Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until it’s full combined and creamy.

Love mezcal? Then you must try a mezcal mule! This spin on the classic Moscow mule has a hint of smoke is full of bubbly, tangy flavor. Using the tequila-based smoky liquor infuses an irresistible sharpness to every sip!

Why we love this recipe: Alex and I love making Moscow mule variations because the gingery, bubbly flavor is so simple to mix up right in the mug, making it perfect for entertaining or just a quick happy hour drink. Infusing the classic mule with smoky flavor is such a fun way to use mezcal and always wins over mezcal afficionados (like ourselves!).

Ingredients in a mezcal mule

The mezcal mule is spin on the Moscow mule, a classic cocktail from the 1940’s. The original features vodka, lime and ginger beer, traditionally served in a copper mug. While most mezcal mule recipes simply switch out the vodka for smoky mezcal, we mixed ours with tequila for a balanced flavor.

The Moscow mule is such a classic that it made the list of International Bartender Association’s IBA official cocktails, meaning that it has an “official” definition. Swap in mezcal and tequila for vodka to get this Mexican style spin. The ingredients in a mezcal mule are:

• Mezcal
• Tequila
• Lime juice
• Ginger beer

How to make a mezcal mule: step by step

The mezcal mule is one of the easiest cocktails you can make! You don’t even have to use a cocktail shaker: just mix it all in the glass. Here’s how to make a mezcal mule (or jump right to the recipe):

1. Step 1: Pour ½ oz mezcal, 1 ½ oz tequila, ½ oz lime juice, and 4 oz ginger beer into a copper mug.
2. Step 2: Add ice cubes, and garnish with lime. It’s that easy!

More Moscow mule variations

There are so many great Moscow mule variations to try! If you love a mezcal mule, then you’ll love these tasty spins on the classic:

• Try the Mexican Mule with tequila: crisp, bold, and full of flavor.
• Go for a Kentucky Mule with bourbon, or an Irish Mule with Irish whiskey.
• Make a Gin Gin Mule with gin and mint.
• Mix up a Dark and Stormy with dark rum.
• Try seasonal spins like the Watermelon Mule or Apple Cider Mule!

Want a simple makeover for your margarita? Try this Italian margarita recipe! Just like Mexican Pizza, this drink is a fusion of the best of Italian and Mexican cuisines: this time in cocktail form!

Why we love this recipe: This Mediterranean version of the classic cocktail swaps out orange liqueur for amaretto, and the almond essence adds a distinctly Italian vibe. Alex and I are big fans of traveling in Italy (Rome, Naples, and the Amalfi Coast are faves): so of course we had to try the Italian margarita!

Ingredients in an Italian margarita

An Italian margarita is a variation on a classic margarita that uses amaretto in place of the orange liqueur (Cointreau), in combination with orange juice, lime juice, and tequila. The flavor has notes of almond and citrus on the finish, but the beginning of the sip tastes like your favorite margarita. Think of it as a sophisticated version of a margarita, kind of like the Cadillac Margarita. Here’s what’s in an Italian margarita:

• Tequila
• Orange or blood orange juice
• Amaretto
• Lime juice

Use blood orange juice for the brilliant color

You can use orange juice from a standard navel orange and this Italian margarita turns out with a warm orange color. But for a brilliantly colored cocktail, use blood orange juice!

Blood oranges have sweet juice and a bright pink color. We love this spin on it because it’s so eye-catching, just like our blood orange margarita. If you can find blood oranges, they’re absolutely worth buying. You can also find bottled blood orange juice at many grocery stores.

How to make an Italian margarita: step by step

The Italian margarita follows the typical margarita pattern: salt the rim, shake in a cocktail shaker, strain, garnish, serve. Shaking the drink allows it to get thoroughly chilled while slightly diluting the alcohol. Here’s an overview of how to make an Italian margarita (or jump to the recipe below):

1. Step 1: Rim the glass with salt. Our favorite way is to cut a notch in a lime wedge and run it around the glass. Then dip the glass into a plate of kosher salt or flaky sea salt and rotate until the rim is covered.
2. Step 2: Shake the tequila, orange juice, lime juice, and amaretto in a cocktail shaker with 4 ice cubes until cold.
3. Step 3: Strain into the glass and serve. Garnish with an orange and lime wedge. You’ve made your Italian margarita!

Two ways to step it up

Last note: here are a few ways to take this Italian margarita over the top! Alex and I love to make these when we have time:

• Clear ice is artisanal ice that is perfectly clear (not cloudy), and looks like fancy ice you’d get in a bar. It’s absolutely game changing for your homemade cocktails!
• This margarita salt with colorful orange and green of citrus zest is eye-catching and perfect for entertaining.

Love a classic sour cocktail? Then you’ll adore a lemon drop martini! This zingy drink is perfectly balanced and refreshingly tart, served with a sugar rim and a lemon twist. It looks so festive that it’s great for celebrations of all kinds. Whatever the occasion: this drink delivers!

Why we love this recipe: When we first tried the lemon drop martini, we could see why it’s a classic. It’s got a cool, clean flavor and a sophisticated vibe. It’s now solidly a part of our cocktail recipe repertoire!

How to make a lemon drop martini: step by step

If you’re ready to get drinking, here are the basic steps to the lemon drop martini:

1. Step 1: Rim the glass with sugar. A classic lemon drop is served in a martini glass with sugar on the rim. This helps to balance out the tart flavor of the cocktail.
2. Step 2: Shake the ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Place 1 ½ oz vodka, ½ oz Cointreau, ½ oz lemon juice, and ½ oz simple syrup into a cocktail shaker. Add 1 handful ice and shake until cold.
3. Strain into a glass and add garnish. Strain the drink into the martini glass and add a lemon twist or lemon wheel.

How to make a sugar rim

Using superfine sugar rim on the martini glass rim makes for a festive look, and it helps to balance out some of the tart flavor. Here are our tips to making the perfect rim:

1. Spread the sugar on a plate in an even layer. Using superfine sugar is best, since it adheres best to the rim.
2. Take a lemon wedge and cut a notch in the middle: then slide it around the rim of the glass. This moistens the rim without having to use your fingers!
3. Tilt the glass into the sugar so that the sugar sticks to the outside edge.

More martini recipes

There are lots of types of martinis, from dry to fruity. Once you’ve tried the lemon drop, here are a few more to mix up:

• A classic martini or dirty martini ooze sophistication. The Gibson is the same as a dry martini, except for the garnish!
• The Espresso martini is a popular variation with a jolt of caffeine.
• The Vesper martini was invented by James Bond, starring Lillet Blanc, gin, and vodka.
• A French Martini is perfectly balanced with vodka, pineapple juice, and raspberry liqueur.
• The pomegranate martini, cucumber martini, and watermelon martini are fun flavor variations.

Ingredients in a Campari spritz

A Campari spritz is spin on the popular Aperol spritz, an Italian aperitif made with Aperol. The spritz was invented back in the 1800’s in Italy as a way to water down sparkling wine by mixing in water. But it wasn’t until the 1950’s that the Aperol spritz took the form it has today. A Campari spritz swaps in Campari into the traditional formula. Here are the 3 ingredients you’ll need:

• Campari: This Italian amaro—bitter liqueur—is also known as an aperitif, a liqueur meant to drink before a meal. We love its bright red color and its complex, extremely bitter flavor. While they’re in the same family, Aperol is much sweeter!
• Sparkling wine: Use either Prosecco or champagne: we like Prosecco because it has a great flavor and is typically more economical. Another option is sparkling rosé!
• Soda water: Use club soda or unflavored sparkling water (we use our SodaStream to make it at home).

Cousin drinks to the Campari spritz

There are several drinks related to the Campari spritz! If you like this one, you’ll love:

• A classic Americano uses Campari, sweet vermouth, and lots of soda water.
• The Negroni Sbagliato is a favorite of ours: it’s a spin on the classic Negroni using Prosecco that we like even better than the original!
• The Aperol Spritz aka Spritz Veneziano is sweet, herbal and bubbly: it really is as good as all the hype.

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Americano Cocktail

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Negroni Sbagliato

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Aperol Spritz

More spritz recipes

If you love bubbly spritzes, make sure to try these spritz recipes:

• The bubbly Amaro Spritz and Cynar Spritz have notes of caramel and cola.
• Our St Germain Spritz is a floral, refreshing drink perfect for summer!
• The Lillet Spritz is light and breezy, with Lillet Blanc and bubbles.
• A zingy Limoncello Spritz always hits the spot.

Amaro SpritzSt Germain SpritzLillet SpritzLimoncello SpritzCynar SpritzHugoSpritz Recipes

How to make a strawberry daiquiri

This strawberry daiquiri had its first trial run one evening when our nephews visited for a cousin sleepover. We had homemade pizza (with our favorite pizza sauce and pizza dough) and a movie night with popcorn. By the end of the night, the adults were exhausted!

Once the littles were in bed, we pulled out the blender to make homemade daiquiris. Man, were they good, and the perfect recipe for tired parents reclaiming the evening. Here’s how to make the best strawberry daiquiri recipe:

• Step 1: Blend it up. Blend 1 pound frozen strawberries, ¼ cup lime juice, 6 tablespoons simple syrup, 1 cup white rum, 1 cup ice, and ⅛ teaspoon salt in a blender until smooth. Taste and adjust the sweetener to your tastes.
• Step 2: Garnish and serve. Pour into a glass and serve garnished with a lime slice and frozen strawberry! You can use any type of glass, from a margarita glass to a simple cocktail glass.

Want more with berries? Try our Top 10 Strawberry Cocktails.

More daiquiri recipes

There are lots more daiquiri recipes to add to your repertoire! Here are a few more to try:

• The frozen daiquiri is tangy, sweet, and fruity: perfect for parties.
• Try tropical fruity spins like the banana daiquiri, pineapple daiquiri, or mango daiquiri.
• The classic daiquiri is one of the most classic sour cocktails! Or try the Hemingway daiquiri, where grapefruit juice and maraschino liqueur compliment lime and rum perfectly.

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Frozen Daiquiri

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Banana Daiquiri

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Frozen Mango Daiquiri

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Pineapple Daiquiri