#1 Aperol Grapefruit Spritz

A fresh, modern twist on the classic summer aperitif, the Aperol Spritz: the Aperol Grapefruit Spritz. This new variation is bittersweet and fruity—not too sweet—making it the ideal first drink for dinner.

Ingredients (per glass):

• 40 ml Aperol
• 60 ml freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
• 20 ml Prosecco or sparkling wine (dry)
• 20 ml mineral water or tonic
• 10 ml lemon juice
• Ice cubes, grapefruit slices

Preparation:

Place ice cubes in a large white wine glass. Stir in the Aperol, grapefruit juice, and lemon juice. Finally, gently top with Prosecco and sparkling water. Garnish with a slice of grapefruit. For a decorative touch, you may add a sprig of fresh rosemary or a mint leaf.

#2 Limoncello Spritz

The second summer cocktail trend is the Limoncello Spritz—a summery Italian classic that never goes out of style! In 2026, too, we will delight in its light, lemony flavor—a taste that is summer through and through!

Ingredients (per glass):

• 40 ml Limoncello
• 60 ml Prosecco (dry)
• 40 ml Mineral water or seltzer
• Ice cubes and a lemon slice

Preparation:

Place ice in a large glass. Stir in the Limoncello, then slowly pour in the Prosecco and sparkling water, allowing them to foam up. Garnish with a lemon slice and add a small sprig of thyme, mint, or lavender.

#3 Wild Berry Lillet

Light, fruity, and a real eye-catcher—perfect for garden parties and summer brunches—the rosy summer trend: Wild Berry Lillet (also enjoyed as a Wild Berry Spritz). A modern aperitif trend featuring a sweet-tart berry flavor.

Ingredients (per glass):

• 40 ml Lillet Blanc
• 80 ml freshly squeezed wild berry juice (e.g., raspberry, blackberry, elderberry, or a ready-made berry mix)
• 20 ml lemon juice
• 30 ml sparkling water
• Ice cubes and fresh berries

Preparation:

Fill a large white wine glass with ice cubes. Stir in the Lillet Blanc, mixed berries, and lemon juice. Finally, slowly pour in the sparkling water to keep the drink nice and bubbly. Garnish with fresh berries and a sprig of rosemary or mint.

#4 Lavender Gin Sour

Floral and aromatic, highly elegant, and just the thing for gin fans: The Lavender Gin Sour perfectly combines the flavor of gin with the summery freshness of lavender.

Ingredients (per glass):

• 60 ml gin
• 30 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 20 ml lavender syrup
• 1 egg white
• Ice cubes, a sprig of lavender, and a lemon slice

Preparation:

Add the gin, lemon juice, lavender syrup, and egg white to a cocktail shaker. First, shake vigorously without ice until the egg white becomes frothy (approx. 15–20 seconds). This creates a creamy, white foam crown. Add ice cubes and shake vigorously again until the shaker is cold. Strain through a fine sieve into the prepared glass to ensure no lavender remnants or strands of egg white pass through. Garnish with a small sprig of lavender and a lemon zest.

#5 Strawberry Daiquiri

Here is a classic summer cocktail with a fruity strawberry note—creamy, slightly tart, yet wonderfully refreshing. The Strawberry Daiquiri is a delicious tropical cocktail trend for 2026 on our list.

Ingredients (per glass):

• 50 ml white rum
• 40 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 20 ml brown sugar syrup
• 100 g fresh strawberries
• Ice cubes and strawberries for garnish

Preparation:

Place the strawberries, rum, lemon juice, and sugar syrup into a blender. Add ice cubes and blend vigorously until a velvety-creamy, icy mixture forms. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass (coupe or short tumbler) and garnish with a whole strawberry.

#6 Espresso Martini

A timeless classic for the transition from day to night—with an intense coffee aroma, a hint of sweetness, and a seductive, creamy foam topping, the Espresso Martini definitely belongs on any list of popular summer cocktails.

Ingredients (per glass):

• 40 ml vodka
• 30 ml cold, strong espresso
• 20 ml coffee liqueur
• 10 ml sugar syrup
• Ice cubes and coffee beans

Preparation:

Add vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur, and sugar syrup to a cocktail shaker. Add ice cubes and shake vigorously until the drink is thoroughly chilled and has a creamy, frothy texture. Strain through a sieve into a chilled cocktail glass (coupe or martini glass). Garnish with a few coffee beans or a small sprig of cardamom.

#7 Michelada

A Mexican beer cocktail with a distinctive spice—savory, slightly spicy, and incredibly refreshing on hot summer days—that is the trendy Michelada.

Ingredients (per glass):

• 300–330 ml pale beer (e.g., Pilsner or Lager)
• 30 ml freshly squeezed lime juice
• 10 ml Worcestershire sauce
• 5–10 ml hot chili sauce or Tabasco (to taste)
• 1 pinch of salt and a little paprika powder
• Ice cubes and a lime slice

Preparation:

Fill a large beer glass with ice cubes. Add the lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, chili sauce, salt, and paprika. Pour in the beer slowly and carefully, allowing it to foam up, so that the drink remains nice and fizzy. Stir gently to combine all the flavors. Garnish with a slice of lime and olives, or a small lettuce leaf.

#8 Aperol Sour

The popular Aperol Spritz reimagined as a lighter cocktail—without the sparkling wine: Aperol combined with lemon juice and egg white creates a creamy, gently bitter Sour. Perfect for those who prefer cocktails with a lower alcohol content.

Ingredients (per glass):

• 40 ml Aperol
• 30 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 20 ml sugar syrup
• 1 egg white
• Ice cubes and 1 orange or lemon zest

Preparation:

Add Aperol, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white to a cocktail shaker. First, shake vigorously without ice (a "dry shake") until a foam forms. Then add ice cubes and shake vigorously again until the drink is thoroughly chilled. Strain through a sieve into a chilled cocktail glass (a coupe or short tumbler). Garnish with an orange zest and a small sprig of herbs.

#9 Vodka Lemon

Vodka with lemon and plenty of ice is a light highball—highly popular in 2026 as part of the "clean taste" trend—and serves as a light summer cocktail with a refreshing citrus note.

Ingredients (per glass):

• 40 ml vodka
• 80 ml bitter lemon or lemon soda
• 20 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 10 ml sugar syrup
• Ice cubes and 1 lemon slice

Preparation:

Fill a large glass with plenty of ice cubes. Add the vodka and lemon juice, then top up with bitter lemon or lemon soda. Stir briefly and gently to ensure the drink remains nice and fizzy. Garnish with a lemon slice or a fine zest.

#10 Rosemary Grapefruit Fizz

Grapefruit juice, rosemary syrup, soda, and a splash of lemon juice combine to create a tart, refreshing fizz that works beautifully—even without alcohol. The Rosemary Grapefruit Fizz is a light, non-alcoholic summer cocktail featuring the crisp bitterness of grapefruit and a delicate herbal note—a drink that can be enhanced with a splash of gin, if desired.

Ingredients (per glass):

• Optional: 40 ml gin
• 80 ml grapefruit juice
• 20 ml lemon juice
• 30 ml soda water
• 10 ml rosemary syrup
• Ice cubes, grapefruit slice, and a small sprig of rosemary

Preparation:

Fill a large glass with plenty of ice cubes. Add the gin (optional), grapefruit juice, lemon juice, and rosemary syrup. Slowly top up with soda water to ensure the drink remains nice and fizzy. Stir gently and garnish with a slice of grapefruit and a sprig of rosemary.