23 Best Summer Vodka Cocktails (Light and Refreshing)

Sun’s out, fun’s out: kick off the sunny season with these vodka summer cocktails!

Summer is the time for chill vibes and refreshing drinks. Vodka is your go-to spirit for that. 

With vodka, you can’t mess up your cocktail game. It’s a blank canvas ready for whatever fruity, herby, or bubbly idea you have.

Whether you’re a fan of the tart Moscow Mule or the simple vodka soda, this round-up has you covered.

From the classics to your soon-to-be new favorites, here’s the rundown on the best summer vodka cocktails!

1. Spicy Vodka Watermelon Cooler

Spice up your summer with this vodka watermelon cooler! 

It’s a killer mix of sweet watermelon, tangy lime, and green chiles. This drink brings the heat and the cool all at once.

This cocktail is perfect whether you’re hosting a big barbecue or just chilling on the porch.

Ingredients: watermelon juice, vodka, lime juice, green chile simple syrup, watermelon & lime slices

2. Moscow Mule

You can’t talk about summer vodka cocktails without mentioning the Moscow Mule. 

This classic combines vodka, lime, and ginger beer for that kick we all love. It’s perfect for sipping on a hot day or impressing guests at your next BBQ! 

Pro-tip: Serve it in a copper mug, and you’ll feel extra fancy.

Ingredients: vodka, lime juice, ginger beer, ice cubes, mint sprig (optional)

3. Beachy Pineapple Vodka Cocktail

For a taste of the tropics, you have to try this pineapple vodka cocktail. 

It starts as a simple vodka soda. Then, it’s kicked it up with pineapple and lime juice. This drink brings true summer vibes. 

And it gets bonus points for being low on sugar!

Ingredients: pineapple juice, lime juice, vodka, sparkling water, pineapple, and lime wedge for garnish

4. Blue Lagoon Cocktail

For a sipper that looks as cool as it tastes, go for the Blue Lagoon cocktail.

Made with vodka, Blue Curaçao, and lemonade, it’s like a vacation in a glass. It’s a drink you’d expect at a fancy resort, but you can easily make it yourself. 

Just add a fruit garnish, and you’re good to go!

Ingredients: vodka, Blue Curaçao, lemonade, ice, lemon & maraschino cherry for garnish

5. Kiwi & Lime Vodka Sour

Step aside, classic vodka sour, there’s a new twist in town! Meet the kiwi and lime vodka sour, your perfect companion for hot summer days. 

With fresh kiwi, a splash of lime juice, and tonic water, this drink keeps things exciting but simple. 

Ingredients: Kiwis, fresh lime juice, kiwi-infused syrup, vodka, tonic water

6. Vodka Sunrise

There’s no fuss, no frills, just a good time in a glass. That’s what you get with a vodka sunrise. 

With just three ingredients, you can sip on a little slice of vacation.

It’s sweet, tangy, and the perfect way to kick-start the season.

Go ahead, pour yourself some sunshine.

Ingredients: vodka, orange juice, ice, grenadine, orange wheel

7. Espresso Tonic with Vodka

Espresso meets tonic and vodka in this lively summer drink. 

It blends the richness of espresso vodka with the bubbly, tangy hit of tonic water. Throw in a splash of cranberry juice and a dash of orange bitters. 

It’s a pick-me-up with a kick! It’s perfect for sipping in the summer heat.

Ingredients: espresso vodka, tonic water, cranberry juice, orange bitters

8. Passion Fruit Vodka Martini Cocktail

This passion fruit vodka martini with puree is a tart and sweet summer stunner.

This cocktail uses vodka, passion fruit puree, and lime juice to wake your taste buds.

Whether you use fresh or frozen passion fruit, the result is always a glass full of sunshine. 

Ingredients: vodka, passion fruit puree, lime juice, Triple Sec or Cointreau, vanilla extract

9. Blueberry Vodka Lemonade Cocktail

This blueberry vodka lemonade cocktail is a certified summer hit. 

The magic here is the homemade blueberry syrup. Mix it up with vodka, lemon juice, and sparkling water. Boom! You have a drink popping in color and flavor. 

Ingredients: vodka, ice cubes, sparkling water, blueberry syrup, lemon juice, lemon wedges & blueberries for garnish

10. Frozen POG Juice Vodka Slushie 

This frozen POG juice vodka slushie is a little sip of Hawaiian sunshine. 

This tropical treat mixes vodka with POG juice: passionfruit, orange, and guava. 

Imagine the flavors of a classic screwdriver but upgraded to island level. 

Ingredients: POG juice ice cubes, vodka, POG juice

For garnish: orange slices, pineapple slices, and maraschino cherries

11. Dirty Shirley Cocktail

The Dirty Shirley cocktail is the Shirley Temple’s cooler cousin. 

There’s no need to be a mixology wizard for this one! Just grab some vodka, grenadine, and lemon-lime soda, and you’re set. 

Mix them up, and you get this fizzy, fruity wonder that screams summer. 

Ingredients: vodka, grenadine, lemon-lime soda

Garnish: maraschino cherry and lime wedges

12. Sex on the Beach 

Ah, the classic sex on the beach. 

This drink is a summer hit with vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice, and cranberry juice. It’s like a vacation in a glass, only you don’t have to travel to enjoy it. 

It’s perfect for sipping by the pool or anywhere you can kick back.

Ingredients: vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice, cranberry juice, optional lemon juice

13. S’mores Chocolate Martini 

This s’mores chocolate martini is where summer campfire vibes meet classy cocktail hour.

Chocolate liqueur, crème de cacao, and whipped cream vodka come together in an indulgent sip.

Level up the fun with a rim of chocolate syrup and graham cracker crumbs. And don’t skip the toasted marshmallow garnish. It’s the cherry on top!

Ingredients: chocolate syrup, graham cracker crumbs, chocolate liqueur, crème de cacao, whipped cream vodka, toasted marshmallow for garnish

14. Cucumber Vodka Cocktail

This cucumber vodka cocktail with lemonade is summer in a glass. 

Cucumber and mint make it fresh, while the lemonade adds that essential tang. Top it off with vodka, and it’s the perfect drink for chillin’ on hot days.

Ingredients: chopped cucumber, fresh mint leaves, vodka, lemonade, ice.

15. Bay Breeze 

The bay breeze is a no-fuss cocktail you can enjoy all year round. Whether it’s summer or the holidays, this drink hits the spot.

With its mix of cranberry and pineapple juice, it has the perfect balance of sweetness and tang.

Ingredients: cranberry juice, pineapple juice, vodka. 

Garnish: lime slice, a maraschino cherry, and cranberries.

16. Ginger Peach Vodka Slush

This ginger peach vodka slush is quick to make and a total thirst quencher. 

Peach and ginger combine to create the perfect drink for chilling by the pool.

With just four ingredients, it’s a snap! 

Ingredients: ginger ale, vodka, frozen peach slices, ice

17. Vodka Seltzer

This vodka seltzer is so easy to make at home. 

All you need is vodka, seltzer, and a splash of fruit juice. Done. 

It’s the no-fuss, low-calorie drink you’ve been waiting for. 

Ingredients: Ice, vodka, citrus or fruit juice, seltzer water, fruit slice for garnish

18. Strawberry Lemonade Vodka

This strawberry lemonade vodka cocktail is a hit at any summer party. 

Just blend strawberries, squeeze some lemons, add a splash of vodka, and you’re good to go. It’s simple, clean, and screams freshness. 

Whip up a pitcher for your next get-together, and watch it vanish.

Ingredients: strawberries, lemon juice, sugar, vodka, cold water, ice, strawberry & lemon slices for garnish 

19. Orange Creamsicle Martini

The orange creamsicle martini is childhood nostalgia with an adult twist. 

You get that classic orange and cream combo, but the whipped cream vodka elevates it. 

It’s straightforward to make, and the taste? It’s way beyond your average Orange Julius. 

Ingredients: Ice, orange juice, half and half, whipped cream flavored vodka, whipped cream & orange slice for garnish

20. Lemon Honey Vodka Cocktail

This lemon honey vodka cocktail is a true refresher, perfect for sipping under the sun. 

The honey simple syrup adds a touch of natural sweetness that pairs well with the zing of lemon. 

And hey, if you’re skipping booze, just drop the vodka for a mocktail that still hits all the right notes.

Ingredients: vodka, honey simple syrup, fresh lemon juice, ice cubes, lemon sparkling water

21. Woo Woo Cocktail

The woo woo cocktail is a throwback that still packs a punch. 

With vodka, peach schnapps, and cranberry juice, it’s like an ’80s party in a glass. 

Add a splash of club soda for that extra fizz, and you have a summer hit. 

Ingredients: vodka, peach schnapps, cranberry juice, club soda, lime wedge for garnish

22. Summer Beer Cocktail

The summer beer cocktail is your ticket to laid-back vibes. 

Light beer, 7-UP, and a splash of vodka make this drink easy and refreshing. 

There’s no need for fancy craft beers. Any light beer will do the trick. 

Garnish it with a lime or lemon, and you’re set for some sunshine sipping.

Ingredients: Light beer, 7-UP, vodka, lime or lemon for garnish

23. Slushy Vodka Cherry Limeade Cocktail

This slushy vodka cherry limeade cocktail blends the best of summer: fruity cherries and zesty lime.

It’s a hit at BBQs and pool parties. Plus, you can easily make it kid-friendly by skipping the vodka. 

Ingredients: cherries, lime juice, lemon-lime soda, simple syrup, ice, lime slices & cherries for garnish

Cheers!