18 Delicious Memorial Day Cocktails

Memorial Day cocktails, anyone? As the sun shines brighter and the weather warms up, it’s time to dust off those patio chairs and fire up the grill for Memorial Day celebrations. And what better way to toast to the occasion than with some delicious and refreshing drinks? From fruity and tropical to classic and sophisticated, these are some of the best Memorial Day cocktail recipes to mix up this year. 

1. Strawberry Margarita

If you like your Memorial Day cocktails to lean into the red, white, and blue theme, a Strawberry Margarita can add a nice pop of red to your table. Strawberries are in season from mid-May to early July, so get some fresh berries to make a really flavorful batch if you can. 

Make it with: Espolòn Tequila Blanco

2. Sex on the Beach

A prettily layered cocktail that always hits the spot, a Sex on the Beach cocktail has near-universal appeal. The first half of the drink contains intensely fruity peach schnapps which is combined with orange and pineapple juice to push the flavor profile into a tropical space. Then, on top of this, the next layer contains vodka that is shaken with tart cranberry juice and a bit of raspberry liqueur – simply delicious.  

Make it with: SKYY Vodka

Read next: 8 Popular Layered Cocktails that Always Make a Splash

3. Michelada

No list of Memorial Day party drinks would be complete without the Michelada. This tasty beer cocktail is similar to a Bloody Mary, but the vodka is swapped out with a light Mexican beer, and the tomato juice is replaced with Worcestershire sauce. It’s the perfect light and zesty sip for an outdoor shindig. 

4. Dirty Shirley

Serve the nostalgic Shirley Temple mocktail if you want to offer your guests a non-alcoholic option, or add vodka to turn it into a Dirty Shirley. When you’re entertaining a crowd it’s nice to have an easily adaptive drink like this on the menu that can be changed to suit various tastes.  

More mocktails: 8 Easy Mocktails for Simple and Clean Sipping  

5. Sea Breeze

The best Memorial Day cocktails tend to pair well with flame-kissed foods, and the Sea Breeze is a great pairing for finger-licking dishes like BBQ ribs and chicken wings. Made with an easy blend of vodka, cranberry, and grapefruit juice, it’s a tasty drink filled with zingy fruit flavors. 

6. Ranch Water

If you’ve ever spent time on a veranda in West Texas at the height of a simmering summer, you’ve likely experienced the joy of a Ranch Water cocktail recipe first-hand. This iconic summertime sipper is a Texan staple that will cool you down like nothing else. 

7. Long Island Iced Tea

One of the most popular Memorial Day cocktails for 2024 is the iconic Long Island Iced Tea. It’s simple to batch for a crowd, and the flavor profile makes for an easy sip. These tequila summer cocktails are quite potent, so stick to the measurements. For a lighter version, take the amount of liquor down a notch and add more cola. 

8. Cadillac Margarita

If you want to add a dash of sophistication to your Memorial Day weekend get-together, we highly recommend the Cadillac Margarita. Also known as the Grand Margarita, the recipe for this top-tier drink follows the Classic Margarita recipe but with the addition of Grand Marnier. This top-shelf orange liqueur adds an exotic taste and amazing depth of flavor. 

Make it with: Espolòn Tequila Reposado

Learn more: Grand Marnier vs Cointreau: Everything You Need to Know 

9. Rum Runner

Memorial Day weekends are made for summery dishes, and rum-based drinks like the Rum Runner is a great drink to enjoy with everything from grilled vegetable skewers to gourmet hotdogs. A terrific tropical drink that’s on the stronger side, this effortless cocktail is sweet and fruity, filled with fruit liqueurs, juices, and a sneaky kick. 

Make it with: Appleton Estate 12 Year Old

Read next: The 10 Best Memorial Day Party Ideas for 2024 

10. Aperol Spritz

The Aperol Spritz is having a major moment right now, so if you’d like to go with a Memorial Day cocktail that is seriously on trend, this is the one. Since most of the ingredients are sparkly, we recommend you pour these one at a time. It comes together quickly and is very simple to serve to a crowd. 

Make it with: Aperol

11. Strawberry Daiquiri

For a Memorial Day drink that tastes like a sip of sunshine, opt for the Strawberry Daiquiri. An obligatory poolside order on vacation, the pretty-in-pink Strawberry Daiquiri is the ultimate summer classic. Traditionally made with rum, it can be whipped up in seconds with a blender to enjoy on warm sunny days outdoors. 

12. Hurricane

A Mardi-Gras favorite, the Hurricane features two types of rum, lime juice, orange juice, passionfruit purée, simple syrup, and grenadine. It’s easy to batch-up, making it one of the best tropical drinks to serve to a crowd.

13. Mint Julep

Fun fact about the Mint Julep—it used to be enjoyed as a breakfast drink in Virginia in the 1800s! While we won’t recommend indulging quite that early in the day, we can attest to the fact that this minty-cool drink is a superb serve on warm, lazy afternoons. 

Make it with: Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon

14. Tom Collins

Memorial Day gin cocktails don’t get easier than the simple Tom Collins. This iconic highball is a variation of the classic Gin Sour, and the ideal drink to clink when the weather is balmy and you want something ice cold, tall, and delicious to sip at leisure. 

Make it with: Bulldog Gin

15. Paloma

The pretty Paloma is a zesty classic that always goes down a treat. To make a batch, combine tequila fresh grapefruit juice, lime juice, and agave nectar in a small pitcher and stir. When you serve it to your guests, add 3 oz of the pre-made Paloma to a glass over ice, and top it off with club soda. A salted rim is a nice touch and fresh grapefruit garnish rounds it off perfectly.

16. Negroni Sbagliato

Sbagliato means ‘broken’ in Italian, which refers to the fact that the drink was first poured by mistake when a bar owner added Prosecco to a classic Negroni instead of gin. Happily, the sparkly mistake was equally delightful, and we love a Negroni Sbagliato as a lighter daytime spin-off of the dapper original. 

Make it with: Campari

17. Mezcal Paloma

This Mezcal Paloma is a tantalizing twist on the classic. This rendition combines the smoky notes of mezcal with the bright tang of grapefruit and lime, creating a complex yet refreshing clinker. Each sip delivers a harmonious balance of flavors, perfect for those seeking a unique and memorable drinking experience.

Make it with: Montelobos Mezcal

18. Bourbon Peach Schnapps

If you’re looking for a delicious and fruity hot weather drink then the Bourbon Peach Schnapps cocktail will be pure delight. This super simple cocktail is a delicious combination of bourbon, sweet peach schnapps, and fresh orange juice. We suggest serving this fruity cocktail at your next barbecue.

Make it with: Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon