Meet Summer with a bright and refreshing cocktail in your hand. From twists on the classics to delicious ways to use seasonal fruits, we've got a mouth-watering list of cocktail recipes you should make for this Memorial Day. And we won’t be surprised if these become a traditional drink on your holiday table. 

1. White Wine Sangria

Source - delish.com

Sangria is the ultimate Summer drink and a must-have on Memorial Day cookouts. This easy white-wine sangria recipe has lots of seasonal fruits that get soaked in Grand Marnier for a bit before going into the pitcher. 

Ingredients 

• 1 c. sliced strawberries
• 1 mango, cubed
• 1 peach, sliced
• 1/4 c. granulated sugar
• 1/4 c. Grand Marnier 
• 1 apple, sliced
• 1 orange, sliced 
• 1 lime, sliced
• 1 (750-ml.) bottle white wine, chilled 
• 1 c. seltzer

Instructions 

1. In a medium bowl, combine strawberries, mango, peach, sugar, and Grand Marnier. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
2. To a large pitcher, add refrigerated fruit and apple, orange, and lime slices. Pour in white wine and seltzer, and stir to combine. Serve well chilled.

2. The Ginger Mint Margarita

Source - townandcountrymag.com

It doesn’t get more refreshing than this minty Margarita. So get that cocktail shaker out, the season is upon us. 

Ingredients

• 1 oz Cointreau
• 2 oz blanco tequila
• .75 oz fresh lime juice
• 2 slices fresh ginger root
• 5 mint leaves

Instructions

1. Muddle the ginger and mint in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. 
2. Add Cointreau, tequila, lime juice, and ice into the cocktail shaker. Shake and fine strain over ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with a mint sprig.

3. Tequila Sunset

Source - delish.com

The color of these cocktails speaks for itself. Grenadine provides the vivid color, but if you don't have on hand skip it — the flavor is still deliciously refreshing. 

Ingredients 

• 1 c. ice
• 1 1/2 oz. tequila
• 4 oz. orange or grapefruit juice
• 1/2 oz. grenadine
• Maraschino cherry or mandarin, for garnish

Instructions 

1. Fill the serving glass with ice, tequila and juice.
2. Add grenadine, garnish with cherry or mandarin and serve.

4. Strawberry Vodka Lemonade

Source - thespruceeats.com

Sometimes, the simplest idea is the best one. If you want to go for something simple and easy, this vodka-spiked lemonade is the right choice. 

Ingredients

• 4 medium strawberries, sliced
• 1 1/2 ounces vodka
• 3 ounces lemonade
• Sliced strawberry, for garnish

Instructions 

1. Gather the ingredients.
2. Muddle the strawberries in the bottom of a tumbler or old-fashioned glass.
3. Add ice, followed by the vodka.
4. Top with the lemonade.
5. Garnish with strawberry slices laid out in a fan. Serve and enjoy.

 

5. Lavender Lemon Drop Martini 

Source - thespruceeats.com

This fun and delightful Martini is the perfect refreshment for your Memorial Day cookout. 

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon culinary lavender buds, fresh or dried
• 1 tablespoon simple syrup
• 2 ounces lemon vodka
• 1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Lavender sprig, garnish

Instructions 

1. Gather the ingredients.
2. In a cocktail shaker, lightly muddle the lavender and simple syrup.
3. Add the vodka and lemon juice and fill the shaker with ice.
4. Shake well.
5. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
6. Garnish with a lavender sprig. Serve and enjoy.