Summer is the kind of season that just calls for a cold drink in hand, and having a few good recipes to rotate through makes it a lot more enjoyable. Making drinks at home is easier than most people expect, and the results are almost always better than anything you would grab off a shelf. Once you land on a couple of favorites, you will find yourself coming back to them all season long.
This list has a good mix of recipes that are perfect for warm weather and simple enough to throw together without a lot of effort. Some are great for making a big batch when you have people over, and others are quick enough to make just for yourself on a slow afternoon. Try a few and you will have a really solid lineup of cold drinks ready to get you through the rest of the summer.
Hibiscus Tea
Hibiscus tea has a bright, tart flavor and a deep red color that makes it stand out from most other teas. It’s refreshing hot or cold, so it works well any time of day without much thought. Because the flavor is bold enough on its own, it doesn’t need much added to taste really good.
What I love about this recipe is how quickly it comes together with very little effort at all. Once you’ve made it at home, you’ll find yourself reaching for it far more often than you expected. It’s one of those drinks that feels a little special every single time you pour a glass.
Get the Recipe: Hibiscus Tea
Infused Cold Brew Tea
Infused cold brew tea is a real upgrade from regular iced tea once you’ve tried it and tasted the difference it makes. The slow cold brewing process pulls out a smooth, clean flavor that is less bitter and far more enjoyable than hot-brewed tea. Because you can infuse it with whatever flavors you like, the combinations are really endless.
Once you start making cold brew tea, going back to the regular method is hard because the flavor is just so much smoother. Make a big pitcher at a time, since it goes fast and you’ll reach for a glass more often than you expect. Once this becomes part of your routine, plain iced tea starts to feel pretty average by comparison.
Get the Recipe: Infused Cold Brew Tea
Dark Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix
Dark chocolate hot cocoa mix is rich and warm, with a deeper chocolate flavor than a regular cocoa mix usually has. Because the dark chocolate brings more depth, it feels a little more grown up and interesting than the typical packet version. It comes together quickly, so a warm mug is ready in just a few minutes without much effort.
What I love about keeping a jar of this around is how easy it makes a great cup of cocoa whenever the craving hits. Once you’ve made your own mix, store-bought versions start to feel pretty plain by comparison. Keep a jar stocked, and you’ll reach for it constantly throughout the week.
Get the Recipe: Dark Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix
Fresh Lavender Tea Recipe
Fresh lavender tea is light, calming, and has a gentle floral flavor that feels really pleasant to sip at any time of day. The lavender isn’t too strong, so it’s easy to drink a full cup without it feeling overwhelming at all. Because it works just as well hot as it does cold, it’s a great option no matter how you’re in the mood to drink it.
What I love about this one is how simple it is to make and how consistently good it turns out every time. Once you’ve made this a few times, it becomes one of those teas you reach for whenever you want something calm and easy. It’s the kind of drink that makes you slow down and actually enjoy the moment.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Lavender Tea Recipe
Fruit Flavored Water aka Fruit Infused Water Recipe
Fruit infused water is one of the simplest ways to make drinking more water feel like something you actually want to do. The fruit adds a light, natural flavor that makes each glass more enjoyable without being heavy or sweet. Because you can switch up the fruit combinations, it never gets boring no matter how often you make it.
Keeping a pitcher of this in the fridge makes staying hydrated so much easier throughout the whole day. Once you get into the habit of making infused water, plain water starts to feel like a missed opportunity. Make a big pitcher at a time, since it goes fast and looks really great on the table too.
Get the Recipe: Fruit Flavored Water aka Fruit Infused Water Recipe
Cold Brew Sorrel Drink
Cold brew sorrel is a deep, ruby-colored drink with a tart, slightly floral flavor that’s unlike most other drinks you’ve probably tried. The cold brewing method brings out the best qualities of the sorrel without any harshness, so the result is smooth and really enjoyable to sip. Because it’s cold brewed, the flavor is cleaner and smoother than a hot-brewed version would ever be.
People always get curious when they see that deep red color, and the flavor backs up the curiosity completely. Once you’ve tried cold brew sorrel, it becomes a drink you want to make on a regular basis without much convincing. Make a big batch every time, since it goes faster than you’d expect once people start drinking it.
Get the Recipe: Cold Brew Sorrel Drink
Ginger Turmeric Shots
Ginger turmeric shots pack a strong, sharp flavor into a small glass that hits fast and wakes you up a bit. The ginger brings heat, while the turmeric adds an earthy depth that rounds the whole thing out really nicely. Because each shot is small, the prep time is minimal but the result feels like it actually does something.
A batch of these lasts several days in the fridge, so making a big one at a time is always worth it. Once you’ve made your own, buying them pre-made starts to feel like a lot of unnecessary expense. Keep a jar ready, and fitting them into your routine becomes really easy to maintain.
Get the Recipe: Ginger Turmeric Shots
Strawberry Mint Smoothie
Strawberry mint smoothie is refreshing and comes together in just a few minutes without much effort at all. The strawberry brings natural sweetness, while the mint adds a cool, clean finish that makes every sip feel really good. Because the two flavors balance each other so well, neither one ever takes over the other.
What works really well here is how light and satisfying it is at the same time. Once you’ve made this a couple of times, it becomes one of those go-to recipes you reach for without even thinking about it. Make it once, and it’ll quickly earn a permanent spot in your regular lineup.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Mint Smoothie
Instant Pot Mulled Wine
Instant Pot mulled wine is warm and spiced, with that cozy, rich flavor that makes it one of the best drinks to have ready when people come over. The Instant Pot speeds up the process, so the spices work into the wine quickly without losing any of the depth that makes mulled wine so good. Because it keeps warm so easily, it’s perfect for any gathering where people will be coming and going throughout the night.
What I love about making this in the Instant Pot is how easy it is to pull off and how impressive the result always feels. Once you’ve made mulled wine this way, it becomes your go-to for any occasion that calls for a warm drink worth sharing. The kitchen smells amazing while it cooks, which makes the whole experience even better.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Mulled Wine
Cold Brew Coffee Recipe
Cold brew coffee is smoother and less bitter than regular iced coffee, and once you’ve tried a good glass, the difference is impossible to ignore. The slow cold steep pulls out rich coffee flavor without the harshness that comes from hot brewing. Because it happens overnight, there’s no real hands-on time once you set it up.
Keeping a big jar in the fridge means great coffee is ready to pour at any point during the day. Once cold brew becomes part of your routine, it’s very hard to go back to making coffee any other way. Make a big batch every time, because it goes faster than you’d expect.
Get the Recipe: Cold Brew Coffee Recipe
Eggnog
Homemade eggnog is rich, creamy, and has that warm, spiced flavor that makes it one of the most beloved drinks for people who love it. The flavor is so much better than anything from a carton, and once you’ve made your own, it’s hard to understand why you ever settled for the packaged version. Because it’s thick and smooth, every glass feels like a real treat worth sipping slowly.
What I look forward to every year is making a fresh batch and watching how fast it goes. People always want more than one glass once they’ve had the first, so making a big batch is always the right call. Once you’ve had homemade eggnog, everything else starts to feel like a big step down.
Get the Recipe: Eggnog
