23 Beach Drinks That Bring the Chill to Chilling by the Ocean
- 1/23
Jam Session
Three ingredients. Low in alcohol. This watermelon cocktail recipe will be one of your go-to beach drinks this summer. To make things truly easy, pick up fresh watermelon juice from a local juice bar. See recipe.Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Susan Ottaviano - 2/23
Ginger and Tamarind Refresher
Mix zingy ginger and tart tamarind to make the base of this refreshing nonalcoholic beach drink. Bring it with you in a thermos, then pour it into cups with ice and top with seltzer. See recipe.Photo & Food Styling by Joseph De Leo - 3/23
Avocado Margarita
The avocado and lime cordial for this margarita tastes a bit like Key lime pie. It’s great with tequila, but just as good when simply topped with bubbly water if you’re looking to stay booze-free. See recipe.Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Stevie Stewart - 4/23
Cucumber Spritz
Topped with seltzer, the refreshing cucumber-and-lime-juice mixture is a delicious way to hydrate under the sun. Spa water could never. See recipe.Photo by Gentl & Hyers - 5/23
The Blaylock
Grapefruit and honey are a match made in breakfast heaven and, unsurprisingly, that pairing works just as well as a drink. You can prep the honey syrup way in advance, but the recipe does require squeezing nine or 10 grapefruits, which may warrant an electric juicer. See recipe.Photo by Kelly Puleio - 6/23
Lemon-Ginger Electrolyte Drink
The thrill of the sea can make hydration a bit of an afterthought, but not this electrolyte-packed water full of vitamins and minerals. See recipe.Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Katherine Sacks - 7/23
Blackberry-Basil Mule
This sparkling alcohol-free drink—sweetened with ginger and coconut sugar syrup—is perfect for seaside sipping. To make it beach-friendly, muddle the blackberries and basil in advance, transfer to an insulated container, and then top with seltzer once you’re ready to drink. See recipe.Photo by Jennifer Davick - 8/23
Raspberry Lemonade
Raspberry syrup is a necessary component of any serious cocktail bar, but it also makes a damn good pitcher of lemonade that will keep your thirst quenched all day long. See recipe.Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Haubert - 9/23
Agua de Aguacate y Limón Amarillo
All you need is a blender, an avocado, some lemons, and a touch of sugar to make the most revitalizing agua fresca around. Double the batch and fill an insulated water bottle or two. See recipe.Photo by Araceli Paz - 10/23
Coconut Water and Lime Rickey
Coconut water doesn’t need any help, but paired with tart lime and club soda, it’s even more refreshing. For the best bubbles, save adding the club soda for when you’re at the beach. See recipe.Vanessa Stump - 11/23
Japanese Thirst Killer
This soda fountain drink, which leans on acid phosphate for its tartness, can be traced back to 1915. To make it transportable, shake and strain the grape juice mix into a thermos or flask. See recipe.Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton - 12/23
Bushwick Thirst Killer
This riff on the Japanese Thirst Killer brings in coconut water and raspberry syrup for a bright, summery drink fit for the beach. See recipe.Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton - 13/23
Agua de Limón con Chía
This limeade is made using whole limes, which gives it a welcome bitterness. The chia seeds develop a fun chewy texture once bloomed. See recipe.Photo by Ed Anderson - 14/23
Negroni Slushie
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t always need a blender to whip up a frozen drink. Case in point: this negroni slushie. You simply combine all its ingredients in a resealable bottle (cap off if it’s vacuum-sealed) and forget it in the freezer for a few days. Stick it in a backpack or a dry bag on your way to the beach and it will stay frozen-ish and slushy for the entire day. See recipe.Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton - 15/23
Pimm's Royale Punch
This ideal brunch punch can also make your oceanside outing a little fancy. Mix up the fruit and juice mixture the night before, then top it with bubbly at the beach. See recipe.Photo by David A. Land, food styling by Carrie Purcell, prop styling by Alyssa Pagano - 16/23
Sorrel Tea
A perfect make-ahead drink, this hibiscus tea is brilliantly red and sweet-tart, with a delicious bite from ginger and aromas of clove and citrus. Freeze a little extra into flavored ice cubes to add to your pitcher or vacuum-sealed bottle. See recipe.Photo by Jerrelle Guy - 17/23
Life of the Party
This crowd-pleasing punch stars Ghia, a nonalcoholic apéritif that’s bursting with notes of citrus peel and hints of ginger. Paired with sweet-tart pomegranate juice and aromatic cinnamon syrup, it’s the ultimate party in a cup. To serve at the beach, combine all ingredients except for the nonalcoholic sparkling wine and the lemon and orange slices; keep it chilled in a cooler until ready to serve. See recipe.Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Drew Aichele - 18/23
Garibaldi
Possibly the easiest beach drink on this list, the Garibaldi contains just three ingredients: orange juice, Campari, and orange slices for garnish. See recipe.Photo by Andy Sewell - 19/23
Pimm's Iced Tea
Pimm’s and iced tea are a winning flavor combo for a summer gathering on the sand. Just scale the recipe up to your desired amount and garnish with strawberries, cucumber ribbons, and fragrant mint sprigs. See recipe. - 20/23
Spicy Citrus Refresher
This big batch of jalapeño-spiced orange and lime juice can be made before you head to the shore. Pour it over ice and top it with cold seltzer for a refreshing alcohol-free pick-me-up. See recipe.Photo by Alex Lau, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio, Food Styling by Pearl Jones - 21/23
Blackberry Collins
This flexible cocktail recipe also works with blueberries—or whatever berries you have on hand. See recipe.Photo by Peden + Munk - 22/23
Cold Toddy
This take on the toddy is delicious with bourbon, aged rum, scotch, mezcal, or gin. So you’ve got options. See recipe.Photo by Paul H. Christian, Food Styling by Michele Figliuolo - 23/23
Bamboo
Want to keep your beach drinks simple? Half a bottle of vermouth and sherry each and some orange bitters go into a resealable jar to become a sippable drink best enjoyed with your toes in the sand. See recipe.Photo by Sarah Hogan
Anikah Shaokat
Don’t let your seaside libations be an afterthought.
Originally Appeared on Epicurious