Looking for some Labor Day cocktails to make? It’s that time of year again—time to break out the grill and enjoy the last few days of summer. As summer comes to a close, many of us are looking for ways to enjoy the last few days of warm weather.
We feel one of the best ways to celebrate the weekend is to gather your friends and family together for a backyard end-of-summer jam and some drinks. And what’s a backyard BBQ celebration without proper libations?
Here are some of the best Labor Day cocktails that are sure to please everyone at your party.
Watermelon Mojitos
Nothing says summer like watermelon, and this refreshing watermelon recipe is the perfect way to enjoy it. Follow the recipe below or if you'd prefer your own ratios simply muddle fresh watermelon, mint, and lime juice together and add rum and sparkling water. So easy and so delicious!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup watermelon
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 2 tbsps sugar
- 2 cups sparkling water
- 1 cup ice
Instructions
- In a blender, combine watermelon, mint, lime juice, and sugar.
- Blend until smooth.
- Pour mixture into a pitcher.
- Add sparkling water and ice. Stir well.
- Serve over ice and enjoy!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Peach Sangria
This fruity sangria is perfect for a Labor Day gathering. Just mix white wine, peaches, raspberries, and ginger ale together and let it sit for a few hours so the flavors can mingle. Serve over ice and enjoy!
Ingredients
- 1 bottle white wine
- 1 cup peach juice
- 1/2 cup brandy
- 1/4 cup triple sec
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 4-6 pieces peaches (sliced)
- 1 piece orange (sliced)
- 1 piece lemon (sliced)
Instructions
- In a large pitcher, combine the wine, peach juice, brandy, triple sec, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Stir well to combine.
- Add the peaches, orange, and lemon.
- Chill for at least 2 hours, up to overnight.
- Serve over ice.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Frozen Margaritas
Is there anything better than a frozen margarita on a hot summer day? This classic cocktail is always a hit.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups tequila
- 3/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 1/2 cup triple sec
- 1 cup ice
- 1/2 piece lime,cut into wedges
Instructions
- Combine tequila, lime juice, and triple sec in a blender.
- Add ice and blend until smooth.
- Rim glasses with lime and serve margaritas in glasses with lime wedges.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Michelada
For the beer lovers, try a beer-based cocktail such as the Michelada. This refreshing drink is made with beer, lime juice, and a variety of sauces and spices. It’s the perfect way to enjoy a cold beer on a hot day.
Ingredients
- 1 piece lime (cut into wedges)
- can/bottle Mexican beer
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp hot sauce, or to taste Kosher salt ice
Instructions
- Run a lime wedge around the rim of a glass, then dip the rim in chili powder.
- Fill the glass with ice and add the beer, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and a pinch of salt.
- Stir to combine and garnish with the remaining lime wedge.
- Serve immediately.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Bourbon Slush
If you’re looking for something a little stronger, the Bourbon Slush is a delicious option. Made with bourbon, lemonade, and tea, this frozen cocktail is perfect for sipping by the pool. Just be sure to make it ahead of time so it has time to freeze properly.
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 6 cups strong black tea
- 4 cups lemon juice
- 2 cups bourbon
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1 cup pineapple juice4
- 1 cup grenadine
Instructions
- Combine water and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar has dissolved.
- Remove from heat and add the black tea. Allow the tea to steep for 5 minutes.
- Remove the tea bags and stir in the lemon juice, bourbon, orange juice, pineapple juice, and grenadine.
- Pour the mixture into a large freezer-safe container and freeze for at least 6 hours, or overnight.
- To serve, scoop the slush into glasses and enjoy!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Piña Colada
For those who prefer something on the sweeter side, the Piña Colada is always a hit. This classic cocktail is made with rum, pineapple juice, and coconut milk. It’s the perfect drink to enjoy while relaxing in the sun.
Ingredients
- 1.5 cup pineapple juice
- 1 cup cream of coconut
- 1.5 cup rum
- 1.5 cup ice
- 1/4 cup fresh pineapple
Instructions
- Combine pineapple juice, cream of coconut, rum, and ice in a blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Garnish with fresh pineapple.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
No matter what flavor of beverage you like, there’s a perfect cocktail for you to enjoy this Labor Day. So, while you fire up the grill if the above recipes don’t strike your fancy, try these ones from some of the best known sites around:
Watermelon Margaritas
Like we said earlier, nothing says summer like watermelon. And what’s more refreshing than a cold margarita on a hot day? This watermelon margarita recipe from Delish combines the two for the perfect summertime cocktail.
Ingredients
- 1 lb seedless watermelon, cubed
- 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup triple sec
- 1/4 cup tequila
- 1 tbsp sugar Kosher salt lime wedges, for garnish
Instructions
- Add watermelon, lime juice, triple sec, tequila, and sugar to a blender. Blend until smooth.
- Rub the rim of 4 glasses with a lime wedge. Sprinkle with salt.
- Divide margaritas among glasses and garnish with lime wedges.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Peach Bellinis
These peach bellinis from Food & Wine are the perfect way to enjoy summer’s bounty of fresh peaches. They’re light, refreshing, and oh-so-easy to make.
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh peaches, pitted and chopped
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 bottle (750ml) prosecco, chilled
Instructions
- Combine peaches, sugar, and water in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved and the peaches are soft, about 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let cool.
- Transfer the peach mixture to a blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour the peach puree into a large pitcher. Add the prosecco and stir gently to combine.
- Serve the bellinis over ice and enjoy!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Strawberry Mojitos
These strawberry mojitos inspired by Cooking Classy are the perfect combination of sweet and refreshing. They’re perfect for sipping on a hot summer day. If you'd like a virgin, sugar free option, check out the recipe HERE.
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup rum
- 1/4 cup mint leaves
Instructions
- Combine strawberries, sugar, lime juice, rum, and mint leaves in a blender. Blend until smooth.
- Divide the mixture evenly among 4 glasses.
- Top off each glass with club soda and stir gently to combine.
- Garnish with a lime wedge and a strawberry, if desired.
- Enjoy!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Blueberry Basil Gin and Tonics
These blueberry basil gin and tonics from Cookie and Kate are the perfect summer cocktail. They’re refreshing, slightly sweet, and oh-so-easy to make.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup blueberries
- 1/4 cup loosely packed basil leaves
- 1/4 cup gin
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup simple syrup
- 4 cups tonic water, chilled
Instructions
- Combine blueberries, basil, gin, lime juice, and simple syrup in a blender. Blend until smooth.
- Divide the mixture evenly among 4 glasses.
- Top off each glass with tonic water and stir gently to combine.
- Add ice and garnish with a lime wedge and a few blueberries, if desired.
- Enjoy!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Sangria
This classic Spanish sangria recipe from Epicurious is the perfect summer cocktail. It’s fruity, refreshing, and oh-so-easy to make.
Ingredients
- 1 bottle (750ml) red wine
- 1/2 cup brandy
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 piece orange,sliced
- 1 piece lemon sliced
- 1/2 cup fresh berries
- Club soda for serving
Instructions
- Combine wine, brandy, sugar, orange slices, lemon slices, lime slices, and berries in a large pitcher.
- Stir gently to combine.
- Let the sangria sit for at least 1 hour (or up to 24 hours) so the flavors can meld.
- When you’re ready to serve, add club soda to the pitcher and stir gently to combine.
- Serve the sangria over ice and enjoy!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Pimm’s Cup
This Pimm’s cup recipe from Bon Appétit is the perfect summer cocktail. It’s refreshing, slightly sweet, and oh-so-easy to make. This also happens to be one of Grant’s favorite cocktails!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Pimm's No. 1
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 piece English cucumber, sliced
- 1/2 piece lemon, sliced
- 1/2 piece orange, sliced
- 1/4 cup mint leaves
- Giner ale, for serving
Instructions
- Combine Pimm’s, lemon juice, orange juice, and sugar in a large pitcher.
- Stir gently to combine.
- Add cucumber slices, lemon slices, orange slices, and mint leaves to the pitcher.
- Stir gently to combine.
- Let the Pimm’s cup sit for at least 1 hour (or up to 24 hours) so the flavors can meld.
- When you’re ready to serve, add ginger ale to the pitcher and stir gently to combine.
- Serve the Pimm’s cup over ice and enjoy!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Moscow Mule
This Moscow mule recipe from The Spruce Eats is the perfect summer cocktail. It’s refreshing, slightly sweet, and oh-so-easy to make.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup vodka
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup fresh ginger juice
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 cup club soda, chilled Ice Lime wedges, for garnish
Instructions
- Combine vodka, lime juice, ginger juice, and sugar in a large pitcher.
- Stir gently to combine.
- Add club soda and stir gently to combine.
- Add ice and garnish with lime wedges.
- Serve and enjoy!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Aperol Spritz
This Aperol spritz recipe from Bon Appétit is the perfect summer cocktail. It’s refreshing, slightly sweet, and oh-so-easy to make.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Aperol
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 1/4 cup Prosecco
- 1/4 cup Club Soda
- ice
- orange slices, for garnish
Instructions
- Combine Aperol, orange juice, prosecco, and club soda in a large pitcher.
- Stir gently to combine.
- Add ice and garnish with orange slices.
- Serve and enjoy!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Dark and Stormy
This dark and stormy recipe from The Spruce Eats is the perfect summer cocktail. It’s refreshing, slightly sweet, and oh-so-easy to make.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup dark rum
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup ginger beer
- ice
- lime wedges, for garnish
Instructions
- Combine dark rum, lime juice, and ginger beer in a large pitcher.
- Stir gently to combine.
- Add ice and garnish with lime wedges.
- Serve and enjoy!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Let us know if you make any of these and how they turned out. We are always looking to hear from our readers and see what they did with our recipes. If you altered anything and improved on a recipe, share with us the changes you made.
After you’ve finished with your party, remember to check out our article HERE on how to make cleaning your Traeger Grill a breeze.