Top 10 Summer Cocktails to Elevate Your Martini Time

Top 10 Summer Cocktails to Elevate Your Martini Time

Nothing says “golden hour” like a perfectly chilled cocktail in a martini glass. Whether you’re road-tripping through Provence or lounging poolside at home, these ten recipes—our San Martini team favorites and fresh riffs on the classic summer cocktails—will transport you straight into that unhurried, sun-soaked spirit we call Martini Time. Each drink features seasonal ingredients, simple at-home prep, and just enough flair to make any moment feel like a vacation.

And you don’t want to miss our BONUS cocktail - the current San Martini Team Favorite! 

Trust us, it’s better than the ever-popular Espresso Martini… 

 

 

1. Espresso Martini

Why we love it: The pick-me-up you didn’t know you needed—coffee meets cocktail in one elegant glass.
Ingredients & Method:

  • 2 oz vodka

  • ½ oz coffee liqueur (e.g. Kahlúa)

  • 1 oz freshly brewed espresso (or cold-brew concentrate)

  • ¼ oz simple syrup

  • Ice & 3 coffee beans to garnish

Shake all ingredients vigorously with ice, then double-strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with coffee beans for a classic finish (liquor.com).

Shop our favorite Martini glass here: NUDE's Vintage Martini Glasses.

 

 

2. Cucumber-Basil Martini

Why we love it: Crisp cucumber and bright basil add a garden-fresh twist to your martini glasses.
 Ingredients & Method:

  • 1½ oz vodka or gin

  • ½ oz lime juice, freshly squeezed

  • 1 oz lemonade

  • 2 thin cucumber slices + 1 torn basil leaf, muddled

  • Ice & basil leaf for garnish

Muddle cucumber and basil in a shaker, add remaining ingredients, shake with ice, then double-strain into a coupe or martini glass (liquor.com, foodandwine.com).

 

 

3. Grapefruit Spritz Martini

Why we love it: Tangy grapefruit brightens this light, effervescent sipper—perfect for travel picnics.
 Ingredients & Method:

  • 2 oz gin

  • 1 oz fresh grapefruit juice

  • ½ oz elderflower liqueur

  • Splash of club soda

  • Ice & grapefruit twist garnish

Shake gin, grapefruit, and elderflower over ice; strain into a coupe glass and top with soda. Garnish with a grapefruit peel and/or rosemary sprig.

Shop our favorite Coupetini Glass here: NUDE's Savage Coupetini Glasses.

 

 

4. Lavender Bee’s Knees

Why we love it: Floral, honey-sweet, and utterly Instagram-worthy.
 Ingredients & Method:

  • 2 oz gin

  • ¾ oz fresh lemon juice

  • ¾ oz lavender-infused honey syrup

  • Ice & sprig of lavender garnish

Shake ingredients with ice, strain into your prettiest martini glass, and garnish.

Shop the Big Top Coupe Glasses here!

 

 

5. Frozen Aperol Sour

Why we love it: A frozen twist on an Italian classic—bright orange and delightfully slushy.
 Ingredients & Method:

  • 1 oz Aperol

  • 1 oz vodka

  • 1 oz fresh lemon juice

  • ½ oz simple syrup

  • 1 cup crushed ice

Blend until smooth in a food processor, pour into a chilled glass, and garnish with an orange wheel.

 

 

6. Peach Thyme Collins

Why we love it: Juicy stone fruit meets herbal thyme in this fizzy tall-glass refresher.
 Ingredients & Method:

  • 1½ oz gin

  • 1 oz peach puree

  • ¾ oz lemon juice

  • ½ oz thyme-simple syrup

  • Club soda to top

  • Ice & thyme sprig garnish

Shake first four ingredients, strain over ice into a Collins or High Ball glass, top with soda, and garnish.

Shop San Martini Team's favorite High Ball Glasses here: NUDE's Big Top High Ball 14.5 oz Glasses.

 

 

7. Coconut Lime Daiquiri

Why we love it: A tropical take on the daiquiri—creamy coconut and zippy lime.
 Ingredients & Method:

  • 2 oz white rum

  • 1 oz coconut cream

  • ¾ oz fresh lime juice

  • ½ oz simple syrup

  • Ice & lime wheel garnish

Shake well with ice; fine-strain into a coupe, martini, or high ball glass with ice.

Shop NUDE's Finesse set of 4 High Ball glasses here!

 

 

8. Watermelon Gin Fizz

Why we love it: Refreshing watermelon counters botanical gin for ultimate summer style.
 Ingredients & Method:

  • 1½ oz gin

  • 1 oz fresh watermelon juice

  • ½ oz lime juice

  • ½ oz simple syrup

  • Egg white (optional for foam)

  • Club soda to top

Dry-shake all except soda, then shake with ice; strain into a glass, top with soda, and garnish with watermelon cube. Double-points if you freeze your watermelon cubes first!

Shop our rocks glasses here: NUDE's Big Top Set of 6 Whisky Glasses.

 

 

9. The Elderflower French 75

Why we love it: Sparkling, floral, and oh-so-elegant—ideal for impromptu celebrations.
 Ingredients & Method:

  • 1 oz gin

  • ½ oz elderflower liqueur

  • ½ oz lemon juice

  • 2 oz Champagne or sparkling wine

Shake gin, elderflower, and lemon over ice; strain into a flute or high ball glass and top with bubbles.

Shop the perfect 10 oz High Ball glass here: NUDE's Big Top set.

 

 

10. Rosé Negroni

Why we love it: A rosy-tinted riff on the classic Negroni—bitter, sweet, and breezy.
 Ingredients & Method:

  • 1 oz gin

  • 1 oz Campari

  • 1 oz sweet vermouth

  • 1 oz dry rosé

  • Ice & orange twist

Stir all ingredients with ice, strain into a rocks or highball glass over fresh ice, and garnish.

Shop NUDE's Big Top set of 4 Whisky Glasses here!

 

 

Why These Cocktails Work for You:

  • Seasonal sourcing: All ingredients are easy to find in summer markets or your home bar.

  • Simple prep: Most recipes use a single shaker and garnish for fuss-free elegance.

  • Versatility: Serve in a coupe, highball, or classic martini glass—all channel San Martini’s signature style.

Whether you’re sharing stories on a vineyard terrace or elevating your own backyard Martini Time, this curated list has you covered. Don’t forget to tag us @sanmartini.net and use #MartiniTime to share your creations!

 

 

BONUS: The San Martini Team Favorite: The Carajillo

Why we love it: A simple to make, but incredibly tasty pick-me-up for any occasion. A coffee lover’s dream cocktail filled with a bitter and sweet surprise! It is the most simple recipe to make, but happens to be quite the light delight with the amount of foam and froth it has! (The first sip is like drinking a coffee flavored cloud).

Ingredients & Method:

  • 2 oz Espresso

  • 1.5 oz, or 2 oz, Liquor 43

  • Ice

Shake all ingredients together like your life depends on it, with more ice than you feel comfortable with in a shaker glass, then strain into a rocks or high ball glass over fresh ice, and enjoy!

 

 

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