Garden to Glass: 5 Summer Cocktails You’ll Sip on Repeat

Fresh from the garden, straight to your glass.

These five easy summer cocktails use seasonal fruit and herbs (yes, even the ones from that windowsill pot) to create refreshing sips made for sunny weekends, backyard hangs, and golden hour vibes. No bartender skills needed—just chill, shake, and sip.

You deserve a cocktail that looks as good as your weekend feels.

1. Strawberry Basil Smash

A juicy twist on a classic mojito, but make it farmstand-fancy.

What you need:

• 2 fresh strawberries, hulled

• 3–4 basil leaves

• 1 oz simple syrup (or honey)

• 2 oz gin or vodka

• ½ oz lemon juice

• Club soda to top

How to make it:

Muddle the strawberries and basil with simple syrup in a shaker. Add gin and lemon juice, then shake with ice. Strain into a glass over fresh ice, top with club soda, and garnish with a basil sprig and berry slice.

If you’ve got basil growing wild on your windowsill, this drink is basically your reward for keeping it alive.

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2. Peach Thyme Spritz

Light, bubbly, and the definition of laid-back luxury.

What you need:

• 2 oz peach nectar (store-bought or homemade)

• 1½ oz white wine or prosecco

• ½ oz elderflower liqueur (optional but elite)

• Fresh thyme sprig

• Sparkling water to top

How to make it:

Fill a wine glass with ice. Add peach nectar, wine, and elderflower liqueur. Stir gently and top with sparkling water. Smack a thyme sprig between your hands (to release the aroma) and drop it in.

This is for your "golden hour" patio moment.

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3. Cucumber Mint Cooler

Hydrating, crisp, and basically the spa day you’ve been putting off, in cocktail form.

What you need:

• 4 cucumber slices

• 5–6 fresh mint leaves

• 1½ oz vodka or gin

• ½ oz lime juice

• ½ oz agave or honey syrup

• Sparkling water to top

How to make it:

Muddle cucumber and mint in a shaker. Add vodka, lime, and syrup, shake with ice, then strain over ice into a tall glass. Top with sparkling water and garnish with a cucumber ribbon or mint sprig.

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4. Cherry Rosemary Fizz

Bold, tart, and a little bit fancy—this is your evening unwind drink with a twist.

What you need:

• 4 fresh cherries, pitted

• 1 small rosemary sprig

• 1 oz lemon juice

• ½ oz maple syrup or honey

• 2 oz bourbon or vodka

• Sparkling water to top

How to make it:

Muddle cherries, rosemary, and lemon juice in a shaker. Add syrup and bourbon (or vodka), then shake with ice. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Top with sparkling water and garnish with a cherry and rosemary sprig.

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5. Pineapple Sage Paloma

Sweet, smoky, citrusy—and unexpectedly smooth.

What you need:

• 2 oz fresh grapefruit juice

• 1½ oz tequila (or mezcal for a smoky edge)

• ½ oz pineapple juice

• ¼ oz lime juice

• ½ oz agave syrup

• 1–2 fresh sage leaves

• Club soda to top

How to make it:

Lightly muddle sage in a shaker. Add juices, tequila, and agave, then shake with ice. Strain into a salt-rimmed glass over fresh ice. Top with club soda and a sage leaf float.

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No garden? No problem. Grab herbs from your local market or community garden share and bring the same fresh energy to your glass. These five cocktails are summer in every sip—fresh, colorful, and perfect for sharing (or not sharing—we won’t judge).

Cheers to cocktail season!