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20 Memorial Day Cocktails to Try

For Memorial Day, whipping up refreshing cocktails is my go-to for commemorating the day and welcoming summer. These recipes blend fresh, zesty flavors with a touch of sophistication, perfect for toasting to our heroes and the sunny days ahead. From vibrant fruit mixes to updated classics, there’s a drink to match every taste. They’re easy to make, ensuring you spend less time in the kitchen and more with loved ones. Cheers to a memorable holiday with these must-try Memorial Day cocktails.

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Red, White, and Blue Cocktail

Red, White, and Blue Cocktail
source: peelwithzeal.com

The Red, White, and Blue Cocktail is a classic citrus drink with a patriotic twist. It’s a layered beverage with flavors of cherry and lemon, and the cocktail is easy to whip up for a party of friends. The drink starts with a red grenadine layer. Then, you add clear vodka and top it off with blue curacao.


Memorial Day Daiquiri

Memorial Day Daiquiri
source: darylskitchen.com

The Memorial Day Daiquiri is another layered drink, but you can make it with or without alcohol. It’s cold and refreshing, perfect for a hot outdoor party. Red grenadine and vodka are the alcohols in this drink, and a pina colada mix and blueberry squash provide the flavor. It has a slushy texture and is light and hydrating.


Red, White, and Blue Electric Lemonade

Red, White, and Blue Electric Lemonade
Source: thesoccermomblog.com

This patriotic drink is ideal for a big party. Making a large batch is easy, and the sweetened lemonade flavor is a favorite. The Red, White, and Blue Electric Lemonade includes vodka and colada, and you can top off your glass with a lemon slice. I love it because it’s easy to customize with cherries or sprinkles.


All-American Daiquiri

All-American Daiquiri
Source: tipsybartender.com

Grab a bottle of white rum to make this simple cocktail. The All-American Daiquiri is a chilled, slushy drink reminiscent of a spiked smoothie, and it’s ideal for a small party of friends. The strawberry-flavored drink has red and blue layers. Top it off with a helping of whipped cream.


Stars & Stripes

Sweet Star Spangled Vodka Margarita
source: liquor.com

The Stars & Stripes cocktail is a red drink with flavors of blueberry and raspberry. It uses raspberry brandy, vodka, and absinthe. It’s easy to make a large batch of this drink the day before. You can put it in the fridge and bring it out later to impress your guests.


Sweet Star Spangled Vodka Margarita

Sweet Star Spangled Vodka Margarita
source: awortheyread.com

The Sweet Star Spangled Vodka Margarita is a basic white drink with patriotic garnishes. It uses lime juice and simple syrup for a flavor boost and red, white, and blue candies for decor. Try this drink for your next intimate gathering on Memorial Day weekend. They take a few minutes to make, but I think it’s worth it.


Blue Cocktail

Blue Cocktail
source: celebrationsathomeblog.com

This Blue Cocktail has just three ingredients, making it an ideal choice for a busy party day. It has coconut flavors and is a bright, refreshing blue color. You don’t need to be a mixing expert to whip up this easy beverage. Mix the blue curacao liqueur and rum and decorate it with a cherry.


Memorial Day Mojito

Memorial Day Mojito
source: shopterrain.com

Try the Memorial Day Mojito for your next gathering. It’s a dark red, blueberry-flavored drink that’s a great crowd-pleaser. You can easily make a pitcher for your guests and add a lime garnish as an option. The Japanese-inspired beverage uses sake, soda, and Shiso leaves for a sweet, robust drink.


Strawberry Daiquiri

Strawberry Daiquiri

Strawberry Daiquiri is a Cuban-inspired drink with a bright pop of red, ideal for Memorial Day. It uses rum for a Caribbean flair, and the fresh strawberries are great for welcoming in summer at your party. I love this drink because it’s easy to make with just a blender and ten minutes.


Hurricane

hurricane cocktail with ingredients in the background

Add a classic Hurricane cocktail to your Memorial Day menu. The tropical beverage uses aged Jamaican Rum and has flavors of fruit and lemon. It’s easy to make if you’re a beginner, and I like that you can shake the drink. You don’t need any fancy appliances to make this Hurricane.


Ranch Water

Ranch Water

Ranch Water is a light, savory drink with minimal preparation required. You can make it ahead of time for your Memorial Day gathering and share with family and friends. This West Texas beverage has tequila, adding a sharp kick. It has flavors of lime, and you can add extra Topo Chico to cut the intensity.


Rum Runner

rum runner cocktail with ingredients on the background

Crank things up a notch with the Rum Runner, a Caribbean drink that uses two types of rum. This drink comes from Florida and has all the fruity cocktail feels of a beach day. Grab some light rum, aged dark, and banana liqueur to make this pineapple-flavored Memorial Day drink.


Mint Julep

Mint Julep

The classic Mint Julep is a crowd-pleaser most of your Memorial Day guests will be familiar with. It’s a bourbon drink with mint and a hint of sweetness. The drink is easy to make for a small group or as a big batch for a large party. Keep some crushed ice on hand to make the recipe authentic.


Lynchburg Lemonade

Lynchburg Lemonade
source: liquor.com

Tennessee is known for its drinks culture, and the Lynchburg Lemonade is a classic you have to try. I love this drink because it’s refreshing for a hot Memorial Day, and the lemonade makes me feel like summer is coming. Spike the drink with Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, and enjoy the combination with a traditional lemonade recipe.


Tom Collins

Tom Collins Cocktail

The Tom Collins is a tried-and-true cocktail guaranteed to please your Memorial Day guests. It’s been around since before the Prohibition era and is a popular choice for a party. This drink is a gin-based beverage with just a few ingredients. You can make it in minutes, and you’ll love the hints of lemon.


Watermelon Mojito

watermelon mojito cocktail

Are you looking for a drink that feels like summer? Consider the Watermelon Mojito with rum and fresh watermelon. The drink tastes fancy, but it’s easy to make. It has flavors of lime and mint and isn’t too sour. Think about adding it to your Memorial Day barbeque menu.


Sea Breeze

sea breeze

The Sea Breeze is a vodka cocktail, ideal for people who like a lighter beverage. It features sour flavors of grapefruit, lemon, and cranberry, but you can add syrup for some sweetness. This beachy drink is ideal for an outdoor pool party for Memorial Day. Or, bring a pitcher to an indoor gathering.


Paloma

refreshing paloma cocktail with ingredients

Try a Paloma at your next Memorial Day dinner party. It’s a margarita-style drink that uses tequila, and the beverage has opposing flavors of sweet and tart. This easy cocktail doesn’t need a shaker or blender. I like how easy it is to whip up a single serving or pitcher right in the glass!


Patriotic Cocktail

Patriotic Cocktail
source: serenabakessimplyfromscratch.com

Get your red, white, and blue on with the Patriotic Cocktail, a fruity drink with fresh, healthy ingredients. It’s a vodka drink great for interactive parties, and your guests can put together their cocktails. Pick up some whole strawberries and blueberries to make this intense, sharp drink even better.


American Cocktail

American Cocktail
source: kitchenfunwithmy3sons.com

You can’t go wrong with a classic American Cocktail for Memorial Day. The drink is light, fragrant, and fruity. Use peach vodka and Sprite as the base for this beverage. The American Cocktail is reminiscent of a punch, and you can make it in a large batch for a party.


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A Memorial Day-themed cocktail in a festive glass, set on a table adorned with patriotic decorations. The cocktail features a layered look with red, white, and blue colors, symbolizing the American flag. It could be made with a blend of fruit juices or colored liqueurs to achieve the vibrant layers. A garnish of a small American flag or a skewer of blueberries and strawberries adds to the patriotic theme. The glass is fun and celebratory, matching the occasion. The background includes elements of a Memorial Day celebration, such as flags, bunting, and outdoor picnic settings, creating a festive and respectful atmosphere for the holiday.

20 Memorial Day Cocktail Recipes

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
4.3 from 7 votes
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: memorial day cocktails
Servings: 1
Author: Paul Kushner
Try these patriotic cocktails when it's time to celebrate Memorial Day.

Instructions

  • Pick your favorite recipe
  • Gather all the needed ingredients
  • Prep a memorial day cocktail in less than 5 minutes
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20 Memorial Day Cocktails to Try
Please drink responsibly, be fully accountable with your alcohol consumption, and show others respect.
4.29 from 7 votes (7 ratings without comment)

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Paul Kushner

Written by Paul Kushner

Founder and CEO of MyBartender. Graduated from Penn State University. He always had a deep interest in the restaurant and bar industry. His restaurant experience began in 1997 at the age of 14 as a bus boy. By the time he turned 17 he was serving tables, and by 19 he was bartending/bar managing 6-7 nights a week.

In 2012, after a decade and a half of learning all facets of the industry, Paul opened his first restaurant/bar. In 2015, a second location followed, the latter being featured on The Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

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