For summertime sipping, we love cocktails on the rocks. There’s a time and a place for drinks served up, like a martini, Cosmopolitan, or a Rob Roy, but we like ice when the sun is shining.
Cocktails served on the rocks can be sophisticated and refined, relaxed and beachy, or anything in between. From spicy to sweet and fruity to flavorful, you can make these amazing cocktails for any occasion.
What’s great is that many of these drinks can be made easily at home but taste like premium cocktails from your favorite bar.
Like a strong cocktail that is full of flavors? Try one of these Peach Crown Royal cocktails.
Prefer a lighter drink with the perfect balance of natural ingredients? This Raspberry Moscow Mule or this Skinny Vodka Margarita will hit the spot.
Why We Love Cocktails on the Rocks
These rocks cocktails can be made with premium spirits or whatever you happen to have around the house.
If you’re planning to have a party, for the sake of convenience you can batch a cocktail (make a large amount in advance) and then pour it over the rocks to serve.
Whether you’re going with a classic cocktail, a simple cocktail, a popular cocktail, or just mixing up some new kind of different drink from an original recipe that you came up with on the spot, there are few wrong ways to make a cocktail on the rocks.
Equipment Needed
You can get by with very little equipment when making cocktails, as you’ve probably learned. But it’s nice, especially when entertaining, to have a set up. This Cocktail shaker set has everything you need to have a proper bar set up, including a bamboo stand to keep everything together and organized.
For glasses, you’ll want to have whiskey rocks glasses and highball glasses. If you like mules, pick up a set of copper mugs. If you drink out by the pool as we do, you’ll need plastic tumblers.
We also like these ice ball makers.
We have a really nice fridge, but the ice maker hasn’t worked for years. We picked up this counter top ice maker and it works great! It was the third brand we had tried and cost less than fixing the fridge, too.
You might want to pick up a set of bitters as so many cocktails call for it.
We created this list of recipes for our favorite kinds of cocktails served over ice to help get you started. Take a look to find your perfect drink for your next happy hour.
Jamaican Rum Punch Recipe
This is one of our favorite rum punch recipes, partially because it’s easy, mostly because it’s delicious!
Jamaican Rum Punch Recipe
Raspberry Moscow Mule Cocktail
I thought a raspberry Moscow mule cocktail would be fun instead of the traditional recipe. I used candied ginger and it turned out delicious!
Check out this recipe
Raspberry Mojito Recipe
This raspberry mojito recipe is one of my favorite summertime drinks. Though usually made with rum, we freshened this up with vodka instead and it’s so delicious!
Check out this recipe
Refreshing Vodka Margarita
Love a good margarita but not a fan of tequila? We’ve got you! This Vodka Margarita has the fruity flavor of a margarita without the taste of tequila.
Check out this recipe
Mango Mojito Recipe
This refreshing mango mojito recipe is a delicious, tropical spin on the Cuban classic, with a wonderful combination of flavors from sweet mango, fragrant mint, and tangy lime.
Check out this recipe
Spiked Arnold Palmer Cocktail
If you love an Arnold Palmer, you’ve got to try this Spiked Peach Arnold Palmer cocktail bursting with fresh peach, sweet tea, and lemonade flavors, spiked with vodka and rum.
Check out this recipe
Delicious Crown Peach Drink
Delicious peach flavored cocktail made with Crown Royal and Peach Schnapps. It's one of our favorite cocktails on the rocks.
Check out this recipe
Refreshing Mango Margarita
This refreshing Mango Margarita is festive enough for an elegant gathering and easy enough for a drink by the pool! (In plastic glasses, of course!)
Check out this recipe
Blackberry Mint Gin Bramble
This Blackberry Mint Gin Bramble is a classic gin cocktail that is perfect for summer sipping. A little bit sweet and a little bit tart, you’ll love this refreshing drink.
Check out this recipe
Raspberry and Citrus Mezcal Cocktail
Muddled fresh raspberries and fresh citrus in this mezcal cocktail give a sweet and tart tang. The Tajin rim adds an extra zip of flavor, too.
Check out this recipe
Sex On The Beach Cocktail
There’s a big history debate behind how this cocktail got its name. But one thing is certain, it is tasty and quick to make. You can whip it up in under 5 minutes and with 4 ingredients!
Check out this recipe
Classic Mint Julep Recipe
The classic mint julep is the signature drink for Derby Day, but don’t let that stop you from enjoying it all summer long! It is cool, refreshing, and delicious on any hot summer day.
Check out this recipe
The BEST Vodka Strawberry Lemonade
If you have a love of all things summer, this combination of strawberry lemonade with vodka needs to be on your drink list.
Check out this recipe
Easy and Refreshing Strawberry Moscow Mule Drink
With fresh strawberry, mint, and tart lime flavors, this is a delightful twist on a classic Moscow Mule.
Check out this recipe
Whiskey Sour Cocktail Cocktail
Quality ingredients are the key to making the perfect Whiskey Sour cocktail. Fresh citrus works a lot better than bottled juices for this recipe.
Check out this recipe
Low Carb Hatch Chili Margarita
If you love spicy drinks, this easy-to-make margarita recipe is for you. It’s also keto-friendly!
Check out this recipe
Hot Honey Margarita
Hot honey for a margarita? Once you’ve tried it, this may be a new favorite drink. Smooth and sweet, and just the right heat to delight your tastebuds.
Check out this recipe
Lemon Margarita (Tequila Lemon Cocktail)
Out of limes? Try this recipe for a lemon-based margarita instead. You still get those classic flavors from the triple sec and cane sugar, but with a lemony twist.
Check out this recipe
Pimm’s Cup
Pimm’s Cup is a signature drink of England, like Sangria is to Spain. With fresh fruit and refreshing flavors, it makes a lovely afternoon cocktail.
Check out this recipe
Peach Old Fashioned
It’s a southern twist on the classic Old Fashioned. The peach flavor makes this a perfectly balanced cocktail with summertime vibes.
Check out this recipe
Paloma Cocktail
Three simple ingredients are all it takes for the delightful Paloma cocktail. It’s so easy to whip this drink up any time.
Check out this recipe
Tipsy Mermaid Drink
If you love a good Mai Tai, you’ll want to try the Tipsy Mermaid. Tropical fruit and rum will carry you away to white sand beaches and ocean breezes.
Check out this recipe
Orange Creamsicle Cocktail
This drink brings back memories of those delightful orange creamsicles you loved as a kid. But this boozy version is a treat for the big kid in all of us.
Check out this recipe
Amaretto Stone Sour A Perfect Blend
The Amaretto Stone Sour is the perfect blend of the classic bourbon based Stone Sour and the Amaretto Sour. You will love this cocktail!
Check out this recipe
Limoncello Cocktail (Italian Limoncello Spritz Recipe)
With only three ingredients, you can put together this refreshing Italian drink in no time. Limoncello cocktails are fabulous as a summer drink!
Check out this recipe
Maple Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe
There’s a lot to love with this Maple Old Fashioned Cocktail. It’s a sweet Fall twist on the classic Old Fashioned drink.
Check out this recipe
Blood Orange Whiskey Sour Cocktail Recipe
Fresh blood orange juice gives this drink a rich color, and the whiskey matches it with a lively flavor. This drink is easy to make and looks gorgeous.
Check out this recipe
Limoncello and Vodka Cocktail
This bright and bubbly limoncello cocktail is happiness in a glass. It’s perfect for a hot day!
Check out this recipe
Pomegranate Margaritas
Sweet, sour, and dangerously delicious, the pomegranate margarita is just right for any happy hour get-together.
Check out this recipe
Salty Dog Cocktail Recipe
Using a good gin (like Larios London Dry Gin) is essential to making a delicious Salty Dog cocktail. Here’s everything else you need to know.
Check out this recipe
Skinny Margarita
Low-cal and refreshing, you can’t go wrong with the classic flavors in this skinny margarita.
Check out this recipe
Candy Kiss Cocktail
Do you love candy? Like, really love candy? Well then you’re really going to love this Candy Kiss Cocktail – an epic candy-inspired cocktail for the sweet tooth. The alcohol content in
Check out this recipe
Orange Pomegranate Manhattan
This Orange Pomegranate Manhattan includes the traditional whiskey (bourbon or rye) and red vermouth, but gets a modern twist with the addition of pomegranate molasses and orange bitters. The pomegranate molasses brings subtle tart fruit to a smooth and drinkable cocktail!
Check out this recipe
Bourbon Rosemary Cocktail
This bourbon rosemary cocktail is perfect for fall & winter. Made with homemade rosemary syrup, bourbon, lemon and a dash of maple syrup.
Check out this recipe
Blackberry Bourbon Smash
Fruity, smoky and fizzy this blackberry bourbon smash is an easy and delicious bourbon cocktail for summer. Discover the best blackberry bourbon smash recipe.
Check out this recipe
Hibiscus Margaritas
Refreshing, vibrant, and delicious Hibiscus Margaritas made with homemade hibiscus syrup and garnished with hibiscus margarita salt.
Check out this recipe
Singapore Sling Cocktail Recipe
Tropical, refreshing, and potent, the Singapore Sling Cocktail is a warm weather essential.
Check out this recipe
The Tiki Rita Margarita
Take a traditional margarita and add some tropical flavors – you’ve got the incredibly fun Tiki Rita Margarita!
Check out this recipe
Hibiscus Margaritas
Homemade hibiscus syrup and hibiscus margarita salt give a unique flavor to this vibrant margarita.
Check out this recipe
Tips for Making Cocktails on the Rocks
- Don’t shake or stir too long as you’ll water down the drink. You want to blend the ingredients, but not cause the ice to melt.
- Use a high-quality jigger to measure out ingredients. This will allow for a precise blend of the ingredients so your drink is perfectly balanced.
- Chill your glasses ahead of time. Using a chilled glass will mean the ice in your drink won’t melt as quickly, keeping the drink cool and refreshing and not instantly watered down.
FAQs
Do cocktails expire? While unopened liquors are shelf-stable for years, once they are open, alcohols have about 8 months before they start to lose their peak flavor. If you’re mixing a batch of cocktails at home, keep them in the fridge. Drinks that contain fruit juices should be consumed within a day or two. Any drinks with perishable ingredients like egg whites or milk should be consumed right away.
What is the most common alcohol used in cocktails? Vodka is the most popular spirit in the US, with gin, rum, whiskey, and tequila being other must-haves for your bar setup.
What is the best ice for cocktails on the rocks? One-by-one-inch standard cubes are the most versatile and can be used in any drink. Crushed ice, large cubes, ice spheres, and Collins spears can dress up certain cocktails but aren’t absolutely necessary.
More Delicious Cocktails
Pick a cocktail on the rocks recipe.
Gather the ingredients you need.
Mix and sip on your new favorite rocks cocktail.
Meet the author
Welcome! I’m Kelly!
Writer, Traveler, Lover of good Food and Wine.
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