5 Cocktails perfect for Christmas in July and all summer long

Whether you are celebrating Christmas in July or hosting a summer gathering, you might be looking for some epic cocktails that are easy and delicious. Luckily, we have plenty of recipes that might just have your friends thinking you are the bar master.

While whipping up cocktails can be relatively easy no matter time of year it is, if you are looking for something that is both perfect for summer and offers a little nod to Christmas, then you might be wondering what to make. And if you are planning an actual Christmas in July party, then having a few different cocktails on the menu can actually make it easy to get into the holiday spirit.

Personally, I like to make party cocktails that are quick and easy, so when it came to finding the right drinks for a Christmas in July party, it was all about the easiest and most delicious offerings. And hopefully, these end up being just what Santa ordered for his summer break.

5 Christmas in July ready cocktails

Strawberry Basil Frosé

Thanks to Cavit Wines, we have the perfect summer cocktail that is also great for a bit of holiday-inspired sipping. And that is where the Strawberry Basil Frosé comes in.

What you need:

• A bottle of Cavit Rosé
• 3 cups of frozen strawberries
• 1/2 cup of ice (use a full cup if you are making a larger batch and use an entire bottle of wine)
• 1/4 cup of fresh basil packed into the cup
• The juice of a large lemon
• Honey (Depending on how sweet you want your Frosé, you will want between 2 tablespoons and 1/4 cup of honey)

In a blender, combine the lemon juice, frozen strawberries, ice, and basil (and remember to add the honey here if adding it for sweetness). After blending these ingredients together, add in half of the bottle of Cavit Rosé and blend again. If you want a thinner drink, add more wine, and if you are going with the entire bottle of wine, make sure to go with a full cup of ice to really give it that slushie consistency, remember that the frozen strawberries also help with adding to the thickness and flavor.

The Sea Bird

Mount Gay Rum has been helping us enjoy summer with cocktails and even an effort to help with Ocean conservation efforts. As part of their summer of conservation, they gave us some epic recipes for cocktails that are delicious and easy to make. But it is the Sea Bird that really feels like it is perfect for not just summer BBQs, but also our Christmas in July celebrations.

What you need:

• 2 ounces of Mount Gay Rum Black Barrel
• 1 ounce of fresh lime juice
• 0.75 ounces of pineapple juice or syrup
• 0.75 ounces of Bitter Aperitivo

In a shaker, add in all your ingredients and ice. Shake it all around. Strain the mix over a glass of fresh ice. Garnish with a wedge of fresh pineapple. (This cocktail is amazing, perfect for summer, and even a delicious option in winter.)

The New Fashioned

Forget an Old Fashioned, we want something new. And luckily for us, that is where D’USSE VSOP comes into play. Often, Christmas parties seem to include classic Old Fashioned as a cocktail on the menu. But since we are celebrating Christmas in July, we want something different, but that calls to mine an old favorite. So that’s why we are turning to the New Fashioned.

What you need:

• 2 ounces of  D’USSÉ VSOP Cognac
• 3/4 ounces of simple syrup
• 3 dashes of Angostura Bitters
• An orange peel

In a mixing glass with ice, add the Cognac, simple syrup, and bitters. Stir everything together until it is cold. Strain the mix over a glass with a large ice cube. Twist the orange peel over the top of your cocktail and use to garnish (the peel will release its oils into the cocktail).

Red Sangria

Sangria is a perfect summer drink and when you make it red, it screams Christmas. In fact, this is a cocktail recipe we saw on Food & Wine as part of their Christmas Cocktails list. It’s easy to make too, which makes this a win.

What you need:

• 1 bottle of red wine (Merlot is recommended)
• 4 ounces of Brandy
• 3 ounces of simple syrup
• 1 cup of mixed fruits – Chunks of lemon, limes, and oranges
• Ice

In a pitcher, combine all of your ingredients. Make sure you stir everything together. Refrigerate the mix until it is chilled and the flavors have had a chance to blend. Serve in wineglasses that have been chilled as well.

Belvedere Pear and Ginger Spritz

In June, Belvedere Vodka decided that it wanted to inspire our summer drinking with the launch of their Belvedere Organic Infusions, a line of organic flavored vodkas. For fans of vodka, it was an exciting launch. And for us, it was a perfect opportunity to try something new for Christmas in July. With the Belvedere Pear and Ginger Spritz, we get a summer drink that actually works for holiday sipping too.

What you need:

• 1 ounce of Belvedere Pear & Ginger
• 1 teaspoon of honey water
• 1 ounce of Ginger Ale
• 1 ounce of soda water
• 1 dash of orange bitters
• A sprig of Rosemary
• A ribbon of cucumber

In a spritz glass add a large cube of ice and then add all of your ingredients. Stir everything gently to combine the flavors and get everything chilled. Garnish with your cucumber ribbon and the sprig of Rosemary.

Honestly, there are plenty of options when it comes to cocktails, whether you are looking for drinks perfect for summer or the holidays. And when you combine both of these things in one, we are always looking for new recipes that inspire us and leave us wanting more. Luckily, these 5 cocktails are perfect for summer and Christmas, making them just right for our Christmas in July celebrations.