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What To Drink This Summer
Find the drink to define your summer. getty
Summer can be a time to relax more and make fewer big decisions as sunnier days unfold. The only thing more refreshing than a cold drink may be the relief of not having to think too hard about what to pour.
Whether you're in the mood for beer, cocktails, wine or alternative beverages, Forbes' expert drinks contributors have something to recommend.
Sip these beverages poolside, at the beach and at your next summer barbecue.
The margarita might become the drink of the summer, writes Forbes spirits contributor Jillian Dara, but don't be surprised if you encounter an unexpected watermelon incursion.
Whether you prefer the classic or a fun variation, the right tequila matters. Emily Price, another spirits contributor, says that most bartenders recommend a blanco or a carefully selected reposado for added depth. 'Choosing a tequila that balances naturally with the acidity of fresh lime is crucial, especially if you want the agave character—not sugar or additives—to be the star,' Price writes.
The right tequila isn't always the most popular or expensive brand, warns hospitality professional and Forbes contributor Isidoro Rodriguez. Whatever booze you use, Dara says you can give your margarita a creative boost with raspberry, turbinado crystal or even activated charcoal salt.
For tequila so good it doesn't need to be in a cocktail, Forbes contributor and honorary Maestro Tequilero Joe Micallef recommends Don Nacho Tributo Reposado Tequila, which delivers 'a refined tasting experience that appeals to both connoisseurs and beginners.' Gin And Vodka
Classics like a gin and tonic can be enjoyed year round, but Dara recommends mixed drinks like a gin gimlet, bee's knees or French 75 that bring out the spirit's summery qualities. They work whether you prefer citrus-forward expressions or a floral garden in a glass.
Another classic gin cocktail, the martini has endless summer variations that can be fruity or botanical.
Don't like gin? A martini is a refreshing showcase for vodka, like Xaoma Gold, which is produced in Kazakhstan and won the London Spirits Competition. Forbes contributor Brad Japhe says the vodka has "aromatic infusions of Central Asian herbs, resulting in a spirit that sings with coffee and lemon in a crisp finish.'
Citrus is 'the backbone of the bar cart,' Price writes, bringing 'brightness, structure and just enough acidity to keep even the booziest drink feeling crisp and clean.' It's a no-brainer with vodka and gin but can mingle with just about anything.
The brightness of citrus suits the season and can bring out the best in a variety of spirits. getty
In particular, the bright color and freshness of lemons are "reflective of seasons when all feels warm, sunny and full of promise,' dining contributor Aly Walansky says. Try these 17 refreshing lemon cocktails at bars and restaurants, or pick up some inspiration for your next summer party. Whiskey
Whiskey isn't typically a warm-weather spirit, found mostly in a summer sour or a peach-bourbon smash. But our contributor Paul Caputo spotlights six summer standouts — single malts and blends — that are lighter, with more floral styles that are ideal for effervescent highballs or sipping alone on nights by the fire pit.
For summer, "when popularity swells for sweeter libations,' Forbes contributor John Kell reminds us that brands like Jim Beam launch fruit-inspired expressions. Its pineapple bourbon is Jim Beam's first new expression in four years, aiming to appeal to drinkers who wouldn't reach for traditional bourbons, but might consider a tropical alternative.
Bourbon drinkers who prefer bourbon-flavored bourbon can get surprisingly good bottles for less than $50.
You can also pair tropical fruits with rum, tequila or mezcal. Stone fruits are a velvety red carpet for bourbon, brandy or gin. And 'with their high water content and soft sweetness,' melons make for refreshing cocktails that 'are perfect over crushed ice,' Price writes. Forbes Freshen Up Your Summer Cocktails With 5 Global Liqueurs By Jillian Dara Pro-Tip: Spritz Up Your Sunbathing
Inventive variations are outshining the quintessential Aperol spritz, writes Forbes spirits contributor Rachel King. Elderflower fans should try the Hugo and a limoncello spritz is perfect for lemon lovers.
Home bartenders can test recipes for lychee and peach jasmine tea spritzes that Forbes contributor Emily Cappiello sourced straight from some of the world's most celebrated waterfront hotels. Her list also includes a 'detox-inspired' take on the Moscow mule and a coconutty ode to ranch water. Forbes The Best Sparkling Wine For A Mimosa, According To Experts By Emily Price Wine For Garden Parties, Sunsets And Tennis Rosé
The rosé section of your wine shop can seem like a color-coded summer mood board, where it's difficult to find what you like among all those pinkish hues.
'Rosé can be made almost anywhere, but some growing regions produce it with more precision and intent,' King writes. The minerality of volcanic soils can enhance some of the style's best qualities, while the south of France provides the sun and warm weather ideal for rosé. The grape, age and color of the wine also hold important clues.
As you learn what you like, explore some unexpected regions, too. Or go beyond the blush stereotype to explore wines by producers that King says, 'now approach rosé with the same rigor they bring to red or white wines.' Whites, Oranges And Even Reds
Forbes lifestyle contributor Katie Kelly Bell recommends a selection of 'tennis whites' to enjoy while taking in Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. Sip on a champagne-style sparkling wine from England during the grass-court grand slam and American whites, of course, for the hard-court Open.
There's plenty to discover beyond pinks and whites: The best wines for summer, Dara writes, include natural orange wines, like a dry, pleasantly cloudy skin-contact moscato, and even a Sangiovese-dominant chillable red. Pro-tip: Wine Cocktails Can Be a Thing
Can Sauvignon Blanc really taste like a spicy margarita? See for yourself by infusing adding jalapeños to the right wine. Forbes 8 Wine Cocktails That Go Beyond Sangria By Jillian Dara Beer To Cool Off On A Hot Day
Lagers are hard to beat in the heat and a crisp, clean pilsner — a type of lager known as the 'brewer's handshake' — is a summer favorite. Erik Ofgang, a Forbes drinks contributor, says pilsner 'is considered one of the clearest indicators of a given brewer's skill.'
If you take your leisure time libations seriously and want to know that your beermaker does, too, consider the pilsner winners from this year's World Beer Cup. Or take a road trip for some of America's best lagers — our contributor Hudson Lindenberger has the ideal route.
Well-crafted pilsners are perfect for summer afternoons. getty
Light beers are summer standbys, but Ofgang notes that heavier-hitting IPAs are 60% of the craft beer market, according to the Brewers Association, and "hazy IPAs are the most popular IPA subcategory.' They tend to be fruitier, juicier and less bitter, all refreshing qualities for summer.
Pro-tip: Go Gluten-Free This Summer
A number of breweries offer gluten-free beers, and Forbes beer contributor Em Sauter also recommends cider, which is usually gluten-free. THC For A Change
Some drinkers are shifting toward "sessionable, lifestyle-oriented drinks" — cannabis beverages.
In states where it's legal, consider some of the High Spirits Awards' best THC drinks of 2025. Highlights include a vanilla latte, an island punch and an RTD 'rum' and cola.
If you do consume both THC and alcoholic drinks, be careful: The combination can exacerbate the effects of both in unpredictable ways. 'It's best to start low and go slow—or, better yet, stick to one or the other in a given evening," Price says.
When you host, make sure you label drinks clearly. Non-Alcoholic Summer Celebrations
Beverages are the backbone of many summer gatherings. For your guests who choose not to drink alcohol — or those who engage in mindful practices like zebra striping — offer them something that doesn't 'taste like sad juice.'
Many NA rosés use traditional production methods in pursuit of 'balance, clarity and drinkability—sometimes without the buzz.' Another option: the Phony Negroni, a bottled NA cocktail that Ofgang says is 'bright and bursting with that orange peel tartness found in an alcohol-fueled negroni.'
If you followed lifestyle contributor Andy Vasoyan's advice for Father's Day gifting, see if dad has any leftover NA brews to share. Athletic Brewing is known for seasonal releases and Best Day Brewing's Electro-Lime Cerca de Cerveza has 'a zippy hint of lime and a smooth mouthfeel that make it a refreshing summer swig.' MORE FROM FORBES Forbes 5 Alcohol-Free Wines To Try Now That Actually Taste Delicious By Liz Thach, MW Forbes 4 Batched Cocktail Myths And Misconceptions, Busted By The Pros By David Thomas Tao Forbes Why You're Suddenly Seeing Beers That Are All Foam By Don Tse
