10 Refreshing Drinks for Fun in the Sun
There’s nothing quite like lounging by the pool with friends, sipping on an ice-cold cocktail. Whether you prefer a classic alcoholic beverage or a refreshing mocktail, we’ve got you covered.
Here are five boozy cocktails and five non-alcoholic alternatives, recommended by family and friends of Hydrocare Leisure. Each one is bursting with flavour as they contain fresh in-season fruits and garnishes. Perfect for drinking with friends by your pool.
Five Alcoholic Cocktails for Poolside Party Fun
1. Julie’s Classic Pina Colada
Caribbean vibe without the travel! A tropical favourite that brings the taste of paradise to your poolside relaxation.
Ingredients:
- 50ml white rum
- 75ml pineapple juice
- 25ml coconut cream
- Crushed ice to top up the chosen glass
- Fresh pineapple wedge and cherry for garnish
Instructions:
Blend all ingredients until smooth. Pour into a chilled acrylic glass, garnish with a pineapple wedge and cherry, and enjoy!
2. Marilyn’s Strawberry Mojito
A fruity twist on the classic mojito, packed with fresh strawberries, basil leaves and mint.
Ingredients:
- 50ml white rum
- 6 fresh strawberries, sliced
- 6 mint leaves and 3 basil leaves
- 25ml freshly squeezed lime juice
- 25ml simple syrup
- Sparkling water & crushed ice
Instructions:
Muddle strawberries, mint, and lime juice in an acrylic glass. Add rum, simple syrup, and ice, then top with soda water. Stir and garnish with a mint sprig and a fresh strawberry. For a turbo-charged strawberry taste, take half the strawberries and place them in a bowl with a little balsamic vinegar and the basil leaves. Allow 15-30 minutes to macerate the strawberries and then follow the instructions above.
3. Jackie’s Watermelon Margarita
A refreshing and slightly tangy drink that pairs perfectly with poolside lounging.
Ingredients:
- 50ml tequila
- 25ml triple sec
- 75ml fresh watermelon juice
- 25ml lime juice
- Slice of lime
- 15ml agave syrup (or simple syrup)
- Salt for the rim of your glass
Instructions:
Dip the rim of your acrylic glass in salt. Table salt works best for this. Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into the glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a fresh watermelon slice.
4. Colin’s Blue Lagoon
A vibrant blue drink that’s as fun to look at as it is to drink. Colin said no artificial colours are used – the mix of alcohol and lemonade turns the cocktail a misty blue!
Ingredients:
- 35ml vodka
- 35ml Grand Marnier (alternatively use blue curaçao for a more intense blue colour)
- 100ml lemonade
- Garnish with blueberries and a cherry skewered on a cocktail stick
- Add an optional slice of lemon or orange to the edge of the glass
Instructions:
Fill an acrylic glass with ice, pour in vodka and Grand Marnier or blue curaçao, then top up with lemonade. Stir gently and garnish.
5. Coconut Pineapple Spritz
A light and bubbly tropical drink with a touch of fizz.
Ingredients:
- 25ml Malibu or unbranded coconut rum
- 75ml Pineapple juice – fresh is better
- 30ml Prosecco or champagne if you want to add a little luxury to the taste of this cocktail
- Splash of soda water
- Ice – lightly crushed is better
Instructions:
Fill an acrylic glass with ice, add coconut rum and pineapple juice, then top with Prosecco and a little soda water. Stir lightly and garnish with a pineapple wedge.
Five Non-Alcoholic Cocktails for Poolside Fun
1. Bella’s Alcohol-free Pina Colada
Just as creamy and tropical as the original, but without the alcohol.
Ingredients:
- 75ml pineapple juice – fresh is better
- 50ml coconut cream
- Crushed ice to fill a glass
- Fresh pineapple wedge and a cocktail cherry for garnish
Instructions:
Blend all ingredients until smooth. Pour into a chilled acrylic glass, garnish with a pineapple wedge, and enjoy!
2. Sandy’s Cucumber Mint Cooler
A super-refreshing mocktail that’s perfect for a hot day.
Ingredients:
- 4 slices of cucumber
- 5 mint leaves
- 25ml lime juice
- 25ml agave or simple syrup
- 75ml sparkling water
- Ice – crushed, is better
Instructions:
Muddle cucumber, basil leaves and mint in an acrylic glass. Add lime juice, simple or agave syrup, and ice, then top with sparkling water. Stir and garnish with a cucumber slice and mint leaves.
3. Indego’s Sparkling Strawberry Lemonade
A bubbly and fruity drink that’s both sweet and tart.
Ingredients:
- 4 fresh strawberries per glass, sliced
- 25ml lemon juice
- 25ml agave or simple syrup
- 75ml sparkling water
- Mint and basil leaves
- Optional, slice of lemon
- Ice – crushed, is best
Instructions:
Muddle strawberries in an acrylic glass. Add lemon juice, simple syrup, and ice, then top with sparkling water. Stir and garnish with a lemon slice, mint and basil leaves, and half a strawberry.
For a turbo-charged strawberry taste, take half the strawberries and place them in a bowl with a little balsamic vinegar and the basil leaves. Allow 15-30 minutes to macerate the strawberries and then follow the instructions above.
4. Karen’s Tropical Sunset Cooler
A beautiful layered drink with a mix of fruity flavours.
Ingredients:
- 50ml orange juice
- 50ml pineapple juice
- 25ml grenadine
- 75 ml sparkling water
- Ice
Instructions:
Fill an acrylic glass with ice, pour in orange and pineapple juice, then slowly drizzle grenadine for a sunset effect. Top with soda water and garnish with an orange slice.
5. Janis’ Blueberry Fizz
A berry-packed, fizzy mocktail with a hint of citrus.
Ingredients:
- 6 fresh blueberries
- 25ml lime juice
- 25ml of runny honey syrup (runny honey mixed with water)
- 75ml oz sparkling water
- Slice if lemon
- Sprig of fresh rosemary
- Ice
Instructions:
Muddle blueberries and lime juice in an acrylic glass. Add honey syrup and ice, then top with soda water. Stir gently and garnish with more blueberries.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re in the mood for a boozy tropical escape or a light and refreshing mocktail, our favourite summer poolside drinks will keep you cool and refreshed all day long.
So grab your favourite glass, mix a drink, and soak up the sun with good company. Cheers!
One final thought – alcohol and swimming, especially at night, are not the best things to mix. Always drink responsibly. www.drinkaware.co.uk
Safety Note: Glassware and swimming pools should never be in the same place at the same time. Broken glass in a pool is difficult to see and can cause serious injury. Broken glass in a pool means the pool needs to be drained and cleaned, and pumps & filters checked for damage. This can be a very expensive fix for what may have been a simple accident. At Hydrocare, we offer a safe and almost unbreakable alternative to glassware. It is premium quality and hard to distinguish from its glass cousin.
