Happy Summer Solstice! I love an excuse for a good cocktail, and today is just such an event! Summer cocktails always make me happier than the rest of the year’s recipes, so let’s get right to it! Here are some of my faves and some I haven’t yet tried but will be testing out very soon.

Pear Spritz – my hands-down favorite cocktail when we’re in Fire Island kicking up our heels at the club (Yes, I still go dancing!) is pear vodka and seltzer. It tastes lovely, no matter how diluted or undiluted it is, you can spill it without ruining your clothes, and it’s insanely refreshing! There’s no recipe, it’s just pear vodka (I like Absolute Pears best) and seltzer over ice. Some people add white wine, some use elderflower liqueur to make it (even) sweeter, but I like it plain and simple (and easy to explain when trying to shout your order to the bartender).

• Le Marché – cucumber, elderflower, and vodka. Yes. 100% yes.
• Blueberry Mojito – I’m not usually much of a rum drinker, but if there are blueberries, I’m there!
• Pimm’s Cup – Pimm’s, ginger ale, and lemon juice. Got one by accident years ago in a loud bar, and I just flipped!
• Michelada – I came back from Mexico obsessed with these beer-based savory cocktails!
• Whipped Margarita – with fresh pineapple and coconut cream – my next houseguest is getting these!
• Boardwalk – grapefruit soda and vodka sounds so refreshing!
• Irish Affogato – Irish coffee with coffee ice cream (swoon!)
• Lychee Spritz – I’m trying this one first!
• Pina Colada – like a vacation in a glass!
• Paloma – can’t go wrong with tequila, grapefruit, and lime juice!
• Bloody Maria – tequila instead of vodka gives this one zing
• Mango Bellini – they remind me of the pool bar in Mexico!
• Passion Fruit Collins – I would be more likely to make it with vodka than gin, but yum!
• French 75 – champagne, lemon juice, and gin. Howe can you go wrong?
• Sparkling Rose Cocktail – tequila, watermelon juice, and sparkling rose. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!