50+ Southern Porch Cocktails Begging To Be Your New House Drink
Porch sitting calls for cold-drink sipping.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
The porch, being a perfectly Southern space, calls for perfect Southern manners—and it'd be rude not to offer every visitor a refreshing beverage, right? That's what our mamas taught us, anyway. So better get that bar cart stocked because you're going to want to have these cool, crisp, and perfectly thirst-quenching cocktails on hand for afternoons spent out on the porch, where it seems to always be happy hour.
From big-batch recipes like minty pitcher mojitos and watermelon sangria to all-time favorites like spiked sweet tea and the classic French 75, these are our favorite cocktails to offer up any time someone gathers on our Southern porches. (Serve 'em up time and again, and they just might become your signature house drink.) Here are the best Southern porch cocktails to make for every happy hour at home.
Watermelon Frosé
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
If there was a drink of summer, this one would be it. Wow guests by whipping up this recipe—a sweeter, icier take on another seasonal favorite, an ice-cold glass of rosé.
French 76
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Swap gin for vodka and you get the French 76, a delicious twist on the classic drink. Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best overall flavor. While our recipe calls for simple syrup, you can easily switch it out for a flavored one if you're feeling creative.
Mint Julep
Forrest Mason
Mint juleps were made for sipping on a porch in the South. Made with crushed ice, fresh mint, and bourbon, the drink is a refreshing choice for derby day or happy hour.
Texas Ranch Water
Think of ranch water as a dressed down margarita that's hard to mess up.
Pitcher Mojitos
These go down so easy you'll need to go ahead and make a pitcher. Garnish each glass with fresh mint and lime for a heavenly aroma that hits you before you even take a sip.
Kentucky Oaks Lily Drink
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
This cocktail is the signature drink of the Kentucky Oaks, the race that takes place the day before the Kentucky Derby, but that doesn't mean you can't serve it at home. The recipe calls for cranberry juice, triple sec, lime juice, and vodka.
Salty Dog Cocktail
A twist on the classic vodka- and grapefruit-infused Greyhound drink, this refresher makes use of gin, grapefruit juice, and salt for a cocktail that's anything but saccharine-sweet.
Watermelon Sangria
We combined two of our favorite summer treats: fresh watermelon and iced-down sangria. This sangria gets a blush-colored upgrade with a mix of both still and sparkling rosé wines, making it more than ideal to sip by the pool, on the porch, or at the beach.
Summer Cobbler Cocktail
This recipe proves that whiskey drinks can be refreshing and fit for summer. Made with fresh blackberries, blackberry preserves, white whiskey, and lime, it is like summer in a shaker.
Sweet Tea Mule
This one is a boozy spin on sweet tea, the South's favorite beverage. All you need is ginger beer, bourbon, and lime juice to have the ultimate porch cocktail.
Strawberry Ranch Water
Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Mary Clayton Carl
Texans take their ranch water recipe seriously, but we think anyone will appreciate this twist on the classic cocktail. It calls for strawberry-infused tequila and a fresh strawberry for garnish.
Vodka Cherry Limeade
With just five ingredients (most of which are cocktail bar staples), this limeade is ready to sip as soon as a thirst hits. The best part? You can stir up a pitcher and serve all your porch guests easily.
Spicy Watermelon Refresher
A spicy, more bubbly version of a watermelon margarita, this recipe makes use of serrano peppers and tequila reposado (which is slightly smoky and incredibly smooth). Ah, feeling the good vibrations already.
Berry Patch Cocktail
Gin and elderflower liqueur provide a vibrant, floral quality for the fresh raspberries and tart limeade.
Lemon-Basil Spritzer
We kept the list of ingredients short and sweet on this spritzer: lemon, fresh basil leaves, our simple syrup, and your bubbly mix-in of choice. Because you don't need all the bells and whistles when you have hard-working flavors like lemon and super aromatic basil.
Big Batch Bloody Marys
A perfectly balanced, not-too-heavy Bloody Mary is hard to master—but luckily we already did the leg work for you. This big-batch recipe serves ten people, easy. Switch the vodka out for tequila to turn it into a Bloody Maria.
French 75
Classy as a string of pearls, this gin cocktail makes you want to sit back and fan yourself with a bit of flair. Top it off with a lemon twist and rosemary sprigs for a fancy finish.
Pineapple-Coconut Fizz
This combination of pineapple, coconut, and rum is enough to transport you straight to the Keys. Swaying palm trees included. Like a piña colada, but way lighter and more low maintenance.
Aperol and Blood Orange-Mint Spritz
Aperol spritzes are quite en vogue right now, and we get it. They're light, fresh, and make you feel like you're on an Italian beach somewhere. We added blood orange juice and fresh mint to make it even more vibrant.
Cucumber-Honeydew Cooler
Cucumber and honeydew is the cocktail duo we never knew we needed—until this cool gin drink walked into our happy hour.
Moscow Mules
How cute are the copper mugs alone? That's reason enough to make this simple but crowd-pleasing cocktail of crisp vodka, slightly spicy ginger beer (read: NOT ginger ale), and zingy lime juice.
Watermelon Margaritas
It's a fact that everyone loves this margarita. End of story. Fresh watermelon makes a classic recipe even better.
Frozen Margarita
Trust us, this is way better than the sugary restaurant renditions you'll order elsewhere. This recipe hits the perfect blend of salt, sweetness, slush, and spirits—and it serves eight people. (Or less, if you're motivated.)
Basil Bourbon Orange Smash
Fresh seasonal fruit and liquor are smashed together over ice for this citrusy delight.
Key Lime Daiquiris
Make every day feel like vacation with one of these tropical drinks.
Southern Sunrise
The name says it all. This beautiful cocktail relies on just a few ingredients, making it easier than ever to kick back and relax.
Hurricane Cocktail
This drink certainly packs a punch, so take your time as you sip and enjoy.
Strawberry Piña Coladas
Close your eyes as you sip on this delicious drink and you'll feel like you're on the beach.
Whiskey Sour Slush
A splash of lemonade and sparkling citrus soda dress these whiskey sours up.
Lemon Mint Sparklers
Garnish with some mint (grown on the porch of course!) and you're ready to go.
Shoo-Fly Punch
Ginger beer is the secret to this zesty and refreshing cocktail.
Carolina Peach Sangria
Southern peaches do love to put on a show, don't they? Get epic summer flavor in every sip of this rosé sangria.
Spiked Arnold Palmer
This recipe marries three Southern favorites—bourbon, tea, and lemonade.
Blushing Mimosas
Pineapple juice and grenadine add a twist to classic mimosas.
Black-Eyed Susan Slushies
Victor Protasio; Food Stying: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
Test Kitchen star Ivy Odom whipped up this recipe for the Derby this year, but we think it deserves a spot on your summer drink line-up too. With citrus, pineapple juice, ginger ale, and bourbon all mixed up in a slushie, what's not to love?!
Mojitarita
Mojitos and margaritas are both summertime favorites—and thanks to this recipe, there's no need to decide between the two. This cocktail is as refreshing as a margarita but with the minty kick of a mojito.
4th of July Punch
With a name like this, this punch needs no explanation. But trust us: This batch-made cocktail is perfect for group gatherings on the 4th of July and beyond.
Aperol Bourbon Fizz
Bourbon drinkers, we didn't forget about you. This recipe calls for bourbon and Aperol, making it a go-to drink for a hot afternoon in the South.
Classic Transfusion Cocktail
This cocktail is a favorite on the golf course so you know it's designed for enjoying outside. This summer, we say, why not make it a staple on your front porch too?!
Bourbon-Peach Iced Tea
Pair these two Southern staples together for a stellar sipper.
Strawberry Mojito
Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Mary Clayton Carl
For a sweet twist on a classic mojito, try this strawberry-infused recipe. It is made with strawberry simple syrup, which adds flavor and color to the cocktail.
Hemingway Daiquiri
Feeling fancy? Show off your best cocktail-making skills by whipping up this precise recipe. It calls for fresh juices and very specific amount of ice.
Long Island Iced Tea
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall
Despite what the name suggests, this recipe was actually created in Tennessee! It, of course, comes with a Southern spin: whiskey instead of clear liquor.
Texas Margarita
Will Dickey
If you're looking for a recipe that's sweet, citrus-forward, and easy to sip on, look no further. This margarita, made with fresh orange juice and agave nectar, is sure to become a new favorite.
Mississippi Bourbon Punch
Hailing from Mississippi, this big-batch punch stars muscadine wine, grenadine, bourbon and a medley of fruit juices.
Cucumber-Jalapeño Gin Coolers
This bright cocktail is a refreshing sipper thanks to lime juice, chilled club soda, and jalapeño infused gin. For a standout presentation, serve with cucumber ribbons and jalapeño slices.
Cherry Bourbon Cheerwine
A nostalgic childhood favorite soda gets a fun and boozy twist with bourbon and cherry bitters. This-old school combination will taste just right on the front porch.
Strawberry Spritzers
Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Mary Clayton Carl
Add 1.5 ounces of tequila or sparkling wine to this refreshing non-alcoholic drink for a beverage that anyone can enjoy.
Fuzzy Navel
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
This two-ingredient cocktail from the 1980s is making a comeback. It's perfectly peachy and sweet without being too alcohol forward.
Paloma
Dotdash Meredith
Switch up your go-to ranch water with this fan-favorite grapefruit tequila cocktail. For a smoky kick, try substituting mezcal for the tequila.
Strawberry and Peach Sangria
Chill this simple sangria a few hours in advance of company and you'll have a subtly-sweet, just-right bubbly refreshment. Serve each glass with some of the fruit from the pitcher and garnish with mint.
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