Five Cocktails for a Day By The Pool

As the chilly days say their final farewell, Ariel looks forward to long, hot afternoons spent by the crystal clear pool. Nothing says summer like taking a dip and catching some rays! Gather your best pals and soak up some sun with a relaxing nudge from these delicious, summer-inspired cocktails!

#1: Zesty Margarita

We’re starting off with a warm weather classic! If you’re looking for a fun, customizable cocktail your search ends here! With so many flavor options, the recipe is clean and simple (two things Ariel loves!) BONUS: consume and resume your poolside fun by adding Jell-O and serving in a shot glass!

You will need:

  • Ice cubes
  • 3 oz of tequila
  • 2 oz of lime juice
  • 1 oz Simple Syrup
  • ½ tsp of orange liqueur
  • ½ cup of sugar
  • 1 cup of water
  • 1 wedge of lime
  • Kosher or sea salt for the rim of your glass

How to make:

  • Use your lime wedge to wet the entire rim of your glass.
  • Salt your glass. Pour salt onto a plate. Hold your glass parallel to the plate and slowly turn the rim around in the salt.
  • Fill a cocktail shaker 3/4 of the way full with ice (large ice cubes are preferred – little ice cubes will melt too fast!)
  • Pour tequila, lime juice, simple syrup, orange liqueur and water over the ice, secure the lid, and shake 4 times.
  • Pour the contents of the shaker into your glass and enjoy!

#2: White Claw Kiwi Splash

Ready to add some bubbles to your pool party? Seltzer’s up with this surf inspired cocktail. The best part? Use a different White Claw flavor for a new experience each time you refill! This summertime go-to will keep you cool by the pool for hours.

Ingredients for one:

  • ½ of a kiwi, sliced
  • ½ of a kiwi, chunks
  • ¼ cup of pineapple chunks
  • ½ oz of lime juice
  • 1 can of White Claw (any flavor)
  • 1-2 oz of rum

How to make:

  • Put your kiwi chunks, pineapple chunks, lime juice, and rum into a blender.
  • Blend on high for 30 seconds (or until smooth).
  • Pour the freshly blended contents from the blender and into your glass over ice.
  • Add your favorite flavor of White Claw and kiwi slices to your glass.
  • Stir and enjoy!

#3: Shark Bite Bloody Mary

For those of us who have an overstimulated sweet tooth from the sugar storm that accompanied the holidays, this cocktail is for you! Add some spice to your glass and this first-class Jaws-esque drink may just bite back.

Ingredients for one:

  • Ice cubes
  • 1 can of tomato juice
  • 1 oz of vodka
  • 1 tsp of salt
  • 1 tsp of cracked pepper
  • 2 wedges of lime
  • BONUS: add tabasco sauce and fresh fennel or dill for a fun flavor twist!

How to make:

  • Add ice to your glass and squeeze the lime juice over the ice.
  • Pour the vodka over the ice.
  • Add your salt.
  • Pour tomato juice (and a dab of tabasco if you dare) over the ice and stir.
  • Garnish with a wedge of lime (or lemon slice if you prefer) and cracked pepper. Enjoy!

#4: Blue Hawaiian

No vacation plans this summer? No problem! This blue-hued beverage tastes like a getaway in a glass. Who wouldn’t want to match their pool’s crisp, clear aesthetic? Ariel would!

Ingredients for one:

  • Ice cubes
  • ¾ oz of vodka
  • ¾ oz of light rum
  • ½ oz of blue curaçao
  • 3 oz of pineapple juice
  • ½ oz of coconut liqueur

How to make:

  • Pour your vodka, rum, blue curaçao, pineapple juice, and coconut liqueur over ice into a cocktail shaker. Shake well.
  • Pour the contents of the shaker into a glass over ice. Enjoy!

#5: Peach Sangria

Taking a sunset swim? Dip your toes in the pool and unwind with this sassy sangria. Wine lovers will be more than pleased with these peach waves! Like bubbles? Try swapping a flat wine for a sparkling rosé.

Ingredients for one:

  • 4 oz of red or white wine (chilled)
  • 2 oz of triple sec
  • Sliced peaches
  • Sliced pears
  • Sliced strawberries
  • Cherries, pitted
  • 1 lemon wedge

How to make:

  • Use the backside of a spoon to press into your fruit slices and cherries, this will make them juicer!
  • Place your fruit into a glass and squeeze your lemon wedge over the top of them.
  • Pour your triple sec first, followed by your wine.
  • Stir gently and enjoy! (For added flavor, garnish your drink with a sprig of fresh thyme)

There you have it! Five easy cocktails for one hundred breezy days of summer. Which cocktail will make an appearance at your next pool party?