Sips for Shores, Pools & More: Virginia Cocktail Recipes for Summer
There’s nothing quite like a Virginia summer spent by the water. Whether you’re lounging lakeside, floating down the river or soaking up salty breezes at the beach, the right drink only enhances the moment.
This season, skip the complicated cocktails and reach for something easy, breezy and local. These refreshing recipes (all featuring Virginia-made spirits) are crafted for carefree afternoons, warm sunsets and wherever the water takes you.
If you’re ready to sip your way through summer, here are six cocktails that bring the flavor, fun and a splash of Virginia pride. The best part? Each of these concoctions have five or less ingredients.
Six Virginia Cocktails for Every Kind of Water Day
Blood Orange Martini
Vibrant, citrusy and sophisticated, this Blood Orange Martini shines by the calm waters of the Chesapeake Bay or during sunset happy hours just about anywhere. This cocktail lets Beach Vodka and fresh citrus shine — no frills, just great taste. Shake it up, pour it out and let the bold color match the view.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 oz Beach Vodka
- 1/2 oz triple sec
- Whole fresh squeezed blood orange
- Half a fresh squeezed orange
Mix it Up:
- Shake all ingredients over ice, then pour into a chilled martini glass.
Raspberry Bourbon Smash
Rich with fresh orange juice and bright raspberry preserves, this bourbon smash is a bold companion for a day by the river. Tarnished Truth High Rye bourbon brings a smooth depth, balanced by refreshing club soda. It’s a simple, shake-and-pour kind of drink that makes riverside lounging feel a little more refined.
Ingredients:
- 1 oz Tarnished Truth High Rye
- 2 oz fresh orange juice
- 1/2 oz raspberry preserves
- Splash of club soda
- Ice
Mix it Up:
- Add ice and all ingredients except club soda to a shaker and shake vigorously.
- Pour ingredients into a rocks glass and garnish with a splash of club soda and orange wedge.
Strawberry Lemonade
Nothing says summer like strawberry lemonade — especially when the star of the show is organic strawberry vodka from Waterman Spirits. This one’s sweet, tart and easy to throw together, making it perfect for sipping at a backyard pool or along Virginia Beach’s sandy shores. It’s picnic-friendly and practically sunshine in a glass.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz Waterman Spirits Strawberry Organic Vodka
- .75 oz agave nectar
- Juice from half a lemon
- Splash of lemon-lime soda
Mix it Up:
- In a cocktail shaker with ice, add: Waterman Spirits Strawberry Organic Vodka, agave nectar and lemon juice.
- Shake and strain into rocks glass with ice.
- Top off with lemon-lime soda.
Very Berry Sangria
Loaded with fresh summer berries and smooth Virginia brandy, this sangria is tailor-made for a lake house gathering or pool party. Easy to batch ahead, it blends red wine with orange liqueur and a sparkling finish for something fruity, fizzy and ready for sharing. It’s summer in a pitcher, no fuss required.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups fresh berries (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries)
- 32 oz red wine (~1.5 bottles)
- 8 oz Smith River Spirits Traditional Brandy
- 4 oz orange liqueur
- Sparkling water or soda
Mix it Up:
- Mix wine, brandy and fruit in a large pitcher.
- Refrigerate for at least an hour.
- When ready, add ice to the glass and pour sangria.
- Top off with club water/soda if desired.
Kali Collins
Light, bright and effortlessly refreshing, the Kali Collins is a perfect match for lazy afternoons by Virginia’s rivers and garden ponds. Featuring Virago’s hibiscus and orange peel gin, it brings floral and citrus flavors together for a drink that’s as easy to make as it is to sip.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz Virago Kali Hibiscus and Orange Peel flavored gin
- 3/4 oz lemongrass syrup (see below)
- 3/4 oz lemon juice
- Top with soda water
Mix it Up:
- Make Lemongrass Syrup: Prepare 8 oz lemongrass tea. While hot, stir in 8 oz white sugar until dissolved. Prep this ahead of time, and you can skip right to the good stuff.
- Make cocktail: Add all ingredients to a Collins glass. Top with ice and soda water. Garnish with a lemon slice.
Habloma
Bold and juicy, with just the right amount of kick, the Habloma was made for hot afternoons at Smith Mountain Lake…not far from where moonshine gained its notoriety. The honey habanero moonshine gives it a sweet-heat balance, while ruby red grapefruit juice keeps it crisp and cool. Quick to build in a glass, it’s a lakeside party in every sip.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Belle Isle Honey Habanero Moonshine
- 3 oz ruby red grapefruit juice
- 1/4 oz lime juice
- Top with soda water or soda of choice
Mix it up:
- Combine all the ingredients in a stirring glass, mix and pour over ice.
No matter where summer takes you — dockside, poolside or just to your backyard hammock — these Virginia-made cocktails make for the perfect companions. And each refreshing sip is a toast to local craftsmanship.
Got a favorite Virginia cocktail that you like to sip by the water? Share your picturesque views and tag us (@VaSpirits) — we’ll be raising a glass right along with you!