When the weather gets warm, there’s nothing better than sitting outside with a nice, cold beverage. Whether it’s a cocktail or an iced coffee, a juice or a wine spritzer, cool drinks keep us relaxed and refreshed under the sun’s hot rays.
Here are nine cold drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, that people around the world indulge in when temperatures rise. Drink (and tan) responsibly!
Drinks With A Kick (Alcoholic)
- Pimm’s Cup — United Kingdom
This British classic combines the ubiquitous Pimm’s liqueur — a gin-based drink with herbs and spices — with carbonated lemonade and fresh fruit (usually strawberries, as well as apples or oranges). Add mint or cucumber for extra flair. Some recipes substitute lemon-lime soda or ginger ale for the base, but the traditional version calls for lemonade. - Eiswein — Germany
Viewed as “the benchmark by which all other ice wines are compared,” German eiswein is a dessert wine made from frozen grapes. Made primarily in Germany and Canada, ice wine is a very sweet and syrupy concentrated wine. Its production has taken a hit in recent years thanks to global warming. - Tinto De Verano — Spain
Translating to “red wine of summer,” tinto de verano is the perfect drink for a warm day in the sun. It’s a spritzer made with red wine and gaseosa (lemon-lime soda). Tinto de verano is the perfect drink to serve if you decide to host a Spanish dinner party. - Frosé — United States
Don’t hate us for this one, but we had to include a modern U.S. classic! Frosé is exactly what it sounds like: frozen rosé wine. This alcoholic pink slushy is a perfect warm-weather refreshment. You can get it at many establishments across the country, but if you have a blender, some strawberries and a bottle of rosé, you can easily make it yourself. - Kir — France
This popular French cocktail combines Crème de Cassis, a sweet blackcurrant liqueur, with a dry white wine. The key is to make the ratio four-fifths wine to one-fifth liqueur, so the final product is a light blush color and not too sweet. Kir is our pick for any future French dinner parties you may host.Drinks Without A Kick (Non-Alcoholic)
![drinks around the world Horchata]()
- Horchata — Mexico
There’s actually quite a debate online over whether horchata should include milk. But everyone agrees that it’s a sweet drink made with white rice, cinnamon, sugar, usually vanilla and sometimes almonds. The choice is yours when it comes to whether to include milk, almond milk or just warm water. Either way, it all gets blended into a delicious treat. - Latte E Menta — Italy
There are very few things more Italian than a foamy latte, so it should come as no surprise that our warm-weather drink of choice from Italy is an iced latte. Specifically an iced mint latte for an extra refreshing experience. This one is very easy to make; all you need is whole milk, peppermint syrup, fresh mint and ice. - Kvas — Russia
This traditional Russian beverage is an acquired taste. It’s a fermented grain drink that was sold on the streets during the summer in the Soviet Union. To make this drink, you soak Russian brown bread in water, add yeast and usually honey or raisins, and let it ferment for a few days (its alcohol content is so low, it’s technically considered a non-alcoholic drink). The result is a distinctly sour beverage that’s enjoyable in its own way. - Suanmeitang — China
A traditional Chinese beverage, literally translating to “sour plum drink,” suanmeitang is actually made from dried, smoked plums — so technically prunes. Though recipes can vary, it’s often made with prunes, rock sugar, osmanthus flowers, rose petals and water. Though sour, this cold juice is quite refreshing on a hot day.
