It’s summer vacation and everyone’s out of their comfort zone. Diets have gone out the window and bartenders are experimenting with cocktails that we don’t usually enjoy during the winter months. It’s the perfect time of year to sit back, relax and enjoy a refreshing summer beverage.

Here is our list of the top ten beach drinks to enjoy during your next trip to the beach- or in the comfort of your own home. We made sure to include the recipes if you’re interested in becoming your own bartender.

10. Anything with lemonade.
Lemonade is a summer staple for not just kids, but adults too. Vodka and lemonade is a popular combination, but other mixes have been created recently to bring a different flare to the lemony-sweetness.

One of our favorite recipes is a Spiked Blueberry Basil Lemonade. It sounds different, but the taste is out of this world.

24 ounces rum

2 cups of blueberries
2 cups of loosely packed, basil leaves
48 ounces homemade lemonade
1 to 2 liters of chilled seltzer or club soda

Arrange 24 1/2-pint jam jars on the counter. Add 1 ounce of rum, a couple of fresh blueberries, and a few basil leaves to each jar and gently muddle. Top with two ounces of lemonade. Put lids on tightly and shake.

Add ice and seltzer right before drinking.

9. Long Island Iced Tea
Named for its resemblance to non-alcoholic iced tea, this is one of the heavier cocktails on our list. It’s also one of the most well known, appearing in literature as early as 1961. While a number of recipes are floating around, the simplest and most common can be found below-

• 1.5 cl Tequila
• 1.5 cl Vodka
• 1.5 cl White Rum
• 1.5 cl Triple sec
• 1.5 cl Gin
• 2.5 cl Lemon juice, fresh
• 3.0 cl Gomme syrup
• 1 dash of Cola

Add all ingredients into highball glass filled with ice.
Stir gently. Garnish with lemon spiral. Serve with straw.

8. Mimosas
Whether you’re celebrating a wedding, or having brunch at the beach, Mimosas are commonplace for those who enjoy a fresh start to the day. Mimosa recipes are generally the same and follow a one cup rule- meaning 3/4 cup champagne, and 1/4 cup orange juice. Virgin versions can be made using lemon-lime soda in place of the alcohol.

7. Sangria
Wine drinkers love sangria for the simple fact that it combines their favorite wine with fresh fruits and a pinch of sparkle. While some may favor red to white, or white to red, the base is the same. A popular recipe floating across the Internet is specific to white, but there are thousands of other samples available online.

• 1 pint(s) strawberries, hulled and halved lengthwise
• 2 oranges, sliced into 1/4-inch-thick rings
• 2 lemons, sliced into 1/4-inch-thick rings
• 3 peaches, pitted and cut into 8 wedges
• 3 bottle(s) white wine (dry to semidry), such as Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay
• 1 liter(s) sparkling water
• Ice

Directions

1. Place all fruit in a large pitcher or bowl, add wine, and allow to sit at room temperature 4 to 24 hours. When ready to serve, add sparkling water and ice. Serve in a bowl with a ladle (make sure there’s fruit in every serving).

6. Mojitos
A flavorful rum cocktail originally made with mint and lemon-lime flavors, the Mojito originated in Cuba before finding its way stateside. Bartenders love to hate this drink for its complexity, but it’s definitely a favorite among vacationers- especially in Southern Florida. While the original recipe is a staple, our favorite is made with Pomegranate and is just a tad bit on the sweet side

2 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

12 mint leaves