20 Beach Drinks To Sneak Into Your Cooler

Your beach cooler called and it says it needs some refreshing summer cocktails. Let's just say it will be beyond pumped to cart any of these refreshing cocktails for a day at the beach. Simple is always best when it comes to mixing up a round of beachy drinks. Most of these cocktails are no more than two to four ingredients and easy to mix up whenever you're ready for palomas, ranch water, or a kalimotxo.

We know what you're thinking: Some of the most iconic beach cocktails are typically frozen, like piña coladas or spiked coconut limeade. Whatever you do, don't sweat it; we've got expert hacks on how to keep them cool 'til the last drop. Your easiest option? Simply put your icy and frozen drinks into an insulated water bottle. Want to rosé (literally) all day? This wine purse was made for you. Rather crack open a crisp beer? This Bottle Keeper water bottle will keep your beer cool all day.

Mixing up beach drinks should never be complicated, which is why we chose cocktails with the least amount of ingredients. Got cranberry or grapefruit juice? You're halfway to a Cape Codder or a Salty Dog. Still have those lingering light lagers in the back of the fridge? Mix those up into an amazing Michelada or summer shandy punch.

Spiked lemonades are, bar none, the easiest way to mix up a delightful boozy beach cocktail. Pink lemonade shines in a Pink Señorita, and basil adds serious depth in our spiked sparkling basil lemonade. Shake up your preferred liquor with your favorite lemonade and you'll be forever changed.

There are a bunch of ways to infuse a drink with fruit, like steeping some actual fruit in the alcohol itself or making a syrup out of berries or fruit juice. In this case, we have packed peachy goodness into this margarita with two ingredients: peach schnapps and peach puree.

Get the Peach Margarita recipe.

A sort of effervescent, less-sweet version of a margarita, only 3 ingredients are required for Ranch Water: tequila, lime juice, and seltzer. (Preferably Topo Chico; some claim it’s not a real Ranch Water without it!) We like adding a splash of orange liqueur, like Cointreau, for a little sweetness and citrus flavor too.

Get the Ranch Water recipe.

All it takes to make a Kalimotxo is two ingredients: Coke and red wine. We know it might seem crazy, but this combo truly is something special. Though it's a simple drink, we do have a couple tips. Firstly the red wine you buy should be cheap. We're mixing it with Coke, so need to spend more than $10. No need to buy Spanish, but if you want to go for authenticity, get a Tempranillo or a Rioja.

Get the Kalimotxo recipe.

Bright and colorful, sweet with just a hint of booze, the Dirty Shirley Temple is taking over bars everywhere. And who can blame them? It’s a boozy version of that nostalgic beverage so many of us grew up with—and let’s be honest, what too-sweet mocktail can’t be improved with a shot of vodka?

Get the Dirty Shirley recipe.

The Cape Codder (or Cape Cod cocktail) is simply the more official–and cute–name for a vodka-cranberry. It’s a simple, classic cocktail that doesn't require any special tools, so it's easy to see why this is one of our fave 2-ingredient-cocktails.

Get the Cape Codder recipe.

The addition of a blueberry syrup turns a classic gin and tonic into a perfect summer drink, making it fruity, a little sweeter, and a beautiful shade of purple. It’s a fun party drink that mixes up quick with very little effort. The syrup will make more than you need for one drink, but you can save it for future cocktails or serve it over pancakes or ice cream!

Get the Blueberry Gin & Tonic recipe.

Intensely juicy and citrus-forward, the drink was originally made with orange-flavored vodka. Plain vodka works well too, and if you like, you can up the flavor ante with a few dashes of orange bitters instead.

Get the Orange Crush Cocktail recipe.

Basil-infused vodka? Sign us up. This brings out the sweetness of the herb and turns the spirit a vibrant green.

Get the Spiked Sparkling Basil Lemonade recipe.

What's a Paloma? It's kind of like a margarita, but with a grapefruit-y fizz that's heralded by many in Mexico as the better cocktail. It's beloved not just for its bittersweet, citrusy grapefruit flavor but also for its simplicity. Not counting ice, all you need is 4 ingredients: tequila, lime juice, salt and grapefruit soda.

Get the Classic Paloma recipe.

Crisp, grapefruity, refreshing, and only three ingredients?! The Salty Dog just became our go-to summer cocktail. Sign us up.

Get the Salty Dog Drink recipe.

Like a margarita with a softer, cuter side, the Señorita ditches limes for pink lemonade and lemon juice. Olé!

Get the Pink Señoritas recipe.

A Seabreeze is a refreshing and simple cocktail of vodka, cranberry juice, and grapefruit juice, garnished with a lime wedge. It’s basically the love child of a Cape Codder (fancy for vodka-cran) and a Salty Dog (a descendant of the Greyhound cocktail).

Get the Seabreeze Drink recipe.

If you've never had a Michelada, you're in for a treat. The addition of hot sauce and lime juice add a spicy/sour kick that takes your average light beer from good to great. Thanks to our secret ingredient (soy sauce!), there's also a hint of umami flavor that keeps you coming back for more.

Get the Michelada recipe.

To unlock the delicious concentrated flavor found in citrus skins, we made an oleo saccharum for this cocktail. Let us explain: Granulated sugar draws the flavorful essential oils out of citrus peels as they sit at room temperature. We love watching the sugar transform into a beautiful syrup, perfect for flavoring seltzer, cocktails, or desserts.

Get the Spiked Coconut Limeade recipe.

Think of this as the boozy version of an Arnold Palmer—1/2 beer, 1/2 lemonade. We jazzed it up for summer with some fresh fruit and ginger beer too.

Get the Summer Shandy Punch recipe.

Sangria was originally aged wine mixed with fruit and spices, such as cinnamon, then evolved through time into regional variations. Our version of sangria is light and bubbly with an addition of seltzer water and the perfect ratio of wine to brandy.

Get the Red Sangria recipe.

The Aperol Spritz, also known as the Spritz Veneziano, is an Italian classic that has an iconic bitter-sweetness reminiscent of burnt orange and tart rhubarb. When paired with Prosecco and a bit of soda water, it makes an amazing cocktail to drink in the warmer months.

Get the Aperol Spritz recipe.

Peachy, tart, and citrusy, this cocktail is the perfect drink to wind down with after a long day. It's our favorite summer cocktail that makes us feel like we're on the beach no matter where we are.

Get the Sex On The Beach recipe.

This famous tiki cocktail is as tropical as it gets. Freshly squeezed orange and lime juice deliver big citrus flavor, but its best ingredient is orgeat syrup (or, if you can't find it, almond extract). We like it hot with a spicy rim, but skip it if you like.

Get the Classic Mai Tai recipe.

Piña coladas are the perfect drink to have ready for a beach day. Fresh pineapple makes our piña colada extra tropical, but don't forget the paper umbrella. It's half of the appeal!

Get the Perfect Piña Colada recipe.