15 Punch recipes that will become your go-to summer drinks

Summertime means backyard barbecues with family and friends. Instead of the standard sodas, beer and tea, try making a signature punch for your guests to stay refreshed with. Whether you’re looking for a mocktail or a cocktail, we’ve got you covered.

1. Homemade lemonade with raspberry cream recipe

Image: Simply Sated

What could be better than a thirst-quenching glass of lemonade on a hot summer day? One with raspberry whipped cream. This homemade lemonade with raspberry cream is hitting on all cylinders.

2. Orange-brown sugar sweet tea recipe

Image: Simply Sated

It doesn’t get much more Southern than sweet tea, but this orange and brown sugar twist on classic Southern tea just might make it better.

3. Spanish sangria recipe

Image: Nugget Markets

This sangria uses real Spanish brandy and tons of fresh fruits and veggies to make a beautiful punch everyone will enjoy.

4. Prickly pear and coconut water smoothie recipe

Image: Spicie Foodie

Multiply this prickly pear smoothie recipe by the number of guests you have, and it sits really well in the fridge to provide a taste of the Southwest to your cookout.

5. Parisian summer sangria recipe

Image: This Girl Walks into a Bar

This French rosé-spiked punch would be perfect for a brunch grill-out with the girls.

6. Homemade strawberry lemonade recipe

Image: Nugget Markets

This strawberry lemonade promises the flavors of truly fresh, ripe strawberries and fresh-squeezed lemonade (and a little vodka for the grown-ups, if that’s your jam).

7. Strawberry-thyme punch with Patrón Silver recipe

Image: This Girl Walks into a Bar

Fresh, muddled strawberries, sprigs of thyme and fancy-pants Patrón Silver come together beautifully (in both flavor and visual aesthetics) in this strawberry-thyme punch.

8. Refreshing watermelon punch recipe

Image: My Whole Food Life

You can’t have a cookout without watermelon anyway, so why not make it into this beautiful nonalcoholic, whole-food watermelon punch (and yes, I give you permission to spike it with gin).

9. Ginger beer and pineapple rum punch recipe

Image: Cookin’ Canuck

Perfect for more laid-back get-togethers, you can sip this ginger beer and pineapple rum punch while relaxing under your SunSetter, jamming out to your fave summer playlist.

10. Ruby red Champagne punch recipe

Image: Host the Toast

This beautiful grapefruit Champagne punch will appeal even to those who can’t stand grapefruit — and if it doesn’t, hey… more for you!

11. Pomegranate mojito punch recipe

Image: This Girl Walks into a Bar

Pomegranate mojitos? Sign me up! (And everyone else at your summer cookout.) Good news is, they also provide a recipe for a single serving — you know, so you can taste test it first.

12. Watermelon ginger juice recipe

Image: Laurenda Marie

Made with hydrating coconut water, this watermelon ginger juice is a must-have at parties during the hottest part of the day.

13. White peach sangria recipe

Image: Nugget Markets

Sangria is always a popular drink at backyard parties (well, any party, really), and this white peach sangria is a fun seasonal alternative to heavier red wine versions.

14. Kalimocho recipe

Image: Mix That Drink

Wine connoisseurs: I’d like you to take a deep breath. Please understand this drink is meant to be made with that cheap, crappy wine you wouldn’t want to drink alone anyway. Feel better? The Kalimocho is a mixture of red wine and Coke that comes together in a jiffy to please a thirsty crowd.