Guava Coconut Rum Cocktail
My beverage is so sensational it’s like a taste of the tropics in a glass. The guava adds a touch of sweetness to this coconut drink. —Melanie Milhorat, New York, New York
Margarita Sangria
This sangria is reminiscent of a margarita with its tequila and agave kick! —Andrea Rivera, Westbury, New York
Maple Blackberry Mojito
This refreshing cocktail is how you take advantage of prime berry season during the summer months. I’ve also used other types of fruit, including raspberries, kiwi and strawberries. —Donna Noel, Gray, Maine
Pina Coladas
Velvety-smooth texture and a taste of the tropics are what this tropical drink delivers. The easy-to-make drink can be mixed and chilled ahead of time. When ready to serve, just blend for a creamy and delicious beverage. —Linda Schend, Kenosha, Wisconsin
Rhubarb Lemonade Slush
My family loves rhubarb, and this is such a fun way to enjoy it. It’s nice to have in the freezer and bring out when guests drop by. Even people that aren’t crazy about rhubarb enjoy it. —Cathie Beard, Philomath, Oregon
Minty Pineapple Rum
This delicious drink is a great way to use fresh mint and celebrate summer. If your pineapple isn’t overly ripe, add a bit more sugar. Save any leftover pineapple and mint syrup in an airtight glass container, or freeze the mixture in ice cube trays to use later. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Iced Honeydew Mint Tea
I grow mint in the garden on my balcony. In this minty tea, I blend two of my favorite beverages—Moroccan mint tea and honeydew agua fresca. —Sarah Batt Throne, El Cerrito, California
Mai Tai
This party favorite has been around for quite some time. It’s not overly fruity and features a good blend of sweet and sour. For a splash of color, garnish with strawberries and lime.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Greendale, Wisconsin
Watermelon-Lime Cooler
With temps heating up, chill some glasses and cool down with a slushy blend of watermelon, lime and ginger ale. Slurp and repeat. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Strawberry-Basil Refresher
Fresh strawberries and basil are everywhere, so get them together for a cooler that’s pure sunshine. I garnish with basil leaves and sip outdoors. —Carolyn Turner, Reno, Nevada
Cucumber Gin Smash
It doesn’t get much more refreshing than this gin cocktail. If you like your drinks on the sweet side, top yours off with lemon-lime soda instead of club soda. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Peach-Basil Cooler
Mix with club soda for a cool and refreshing mocktail! —Dana Hinck, Pensacola, Florida
Strawberry Watermelon Slush
We like to relax on the back porch with glasses of my slush after a long, hot day. Strawberries and watermelon blend up with lemon juice and sugar for an instant refresher. —Patty Howse, Great Falls, Montana
Ruby Rose Paloma
Rose water adds a delicate touch to citrusy grapefruit and lime. If you can’t find rose water in your area, it is available at KingArthurFlour.com. Or you can just omit it. —Gina Nistico, Denver, Colorado
Lemon-Basil Mojito Mocktails
In this twist on the classic summer beverage, lemon basil takes the place of mint. For a grown-up version, just add your favorite rum or vodka. —Cheryl Perry, Hertford, North Carolina
Belmont Breeze
It may be juicy, but it’s not too sweet. This flavorful refresher is the perfect drink for whiskey lovers to sip a hot day. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Jalapeno Pomegranate Cocktail
This spicy and sweet sipper gives you a little fix of jalapeno flavor minus the heat. Start a couple of days ahead to flavor the vodka. —Melissa Rodriguez, Van Nuys, California
Calandria
A friend and I invented this perfect-anytime drink. It’s similar to a caipirinha, Brazil’s national cocktail, but is vodka-based. Of course, there are endless flavor possibilities for this drink! —Christine Hair, Odessa, Florida
Spiced White Sangria
I’ve been making this recipe for more than 20 years. My husband and I are in the wine and spirit business and we served it at one of our first dinner parties after we were married. It’s a refreshing change from traditional red sangria. —Ellen Folkman, Crystal Beach, Florida
Paloma
Soon after I learned about this cocktail, I brought the ingredients to a family dinner at my parents’. The next time we got together, my dad had the fixings set out and ready to go. —Ian Cliffe, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Cantaloupe, Mint and Lemon Infused Water
Nothing beats fresh melon. You can also play around with this recipe and swap cantaloupe for honeydew or watermelon, or go ahead and use all three.
Blueberry Mojitos
Blueberry and lime are two of my favorite flavors, so I added blueberries to my favorite mixed drink! This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled. To make simple syrup, combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water and cook over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved. Simple syrup will keep in the fridge for a week.—Michele Tungett, Rochester, Illinois
Michelada
Like your drinks with a south-of-the-border vibe? Try this kicked-up beer cocktail that’s a zesty mix of Mexican lager, lime juice and hot sauce. There are many variations, but this easy recipe is perfect for rookie mixologists. Serve in chilled, salt-rimmed glasses and garnish with lime. —Ian Cliffe, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Tangy Strawberry Slush
When temperatures rise, cool things down with this ice-cold fruity slush. Keep some in the freezer for when guests pop in on a sultry evening.—Laura Reigel, Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Aunt Frances’ Lemonade
My sister and I spent a week each summer with our Aunt Frances, who always had this thirst-quenching lemonade in a stoneware crock in the refrigerator. It makes a refreshing drink after a hot day of running around. —Debbie Reinhart, New Cumberland, Pennsylvania
Spicy Tomato Juice
You can drink this juice plain or use it in most any recipe like chili that calls for vegetable juice as an ingredient. —Kathleen Gill, Butte, Montana
Strawberry Melon Fizz
Experimenting in the kitchen’s fun for me. That’s how I came up with this recipe—I adapted it from two different recipes I got from friends for a melon ball basket and for a sparkling beverage. —Teresa Messick, Montgomery, Alabama
Pineapple Iced Tea
With five teenagers, we go through lots of beverages. This thirst-quenching tea is easy to mix up and had a sparkling citrus flavor we all enjoy. —K. Kitell, Lenexa, Kansas
Blackberry Lemonade
Here’s a special drink that’s perfect when blackberries are in season. It has a tangy, refreshing flavor. —Rich Murray, Nevada, Missouri
Lemonade Iced Tea
I have always loved iced tea with lemon and this great thirst-quencher just takes it one step further. The lemonade gives this refreshing drink a nice color, too. —Gail Buss, Beverly Hills, Florida
Dill Bloody Marys
With a nice level of pepper, and just enough dill from the pickle, these Bloody Marys are sure to please. To make Contrary Marys simply leave out the vodka. —Jay Ferkovich, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Gimlet
For the light drinker, suggest a Gimlet. The blend of slightly sweet and tart flavors is appealing, but not overwhelming.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Spiked Lemonade
Rum gives a tropical addition to this fabulous homemade lemonade. For a variation, substitute vodka for the rum.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Passion Fruit Hurricanes
This is our Test Kitchen’s version of the famous Hurricane beverage that’s so popular in New Orleans. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Greendale, Wisconsin
Mojito Slush
Whether you’re splashing poolside or watching the kids inside, this slushy beverage has just the right balance of minty crispness and limey tartness that’s sure to tingle your taste buds. —Jessica Ring, Chicago, Illinois
Watermelon Spritzer
It couldn’t get much easier than this bright spritzer! “Watermelon blended with limeade is cool and refreshing. It’s a wonderful thirst-quencher on a hot summer day.” —Geraldine Saucier, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Blackberry Beer Cocktail
This refreshing hard lemonade has a mild alcohol flavor; the beer adds just enough fizz to dance on your tongue as you sip. Sorry, adults only! —Ginger Sullivan, Cutler Bay, Florida
Spring Strawberry Sangria
Wine-infused berries make a lovely addition to this special-occasion drink. I love serving this during the beginning of spring to celebrate the new season. —Gina Quartermaine, Alexandria, Virginia
The post 38 Cinco de Mayo Drinks That Aren’t Margaritas appeared first on Taste of Home.
Rashanda Cobbins, Food Editor