7 Easy Beer Cocktails That Are Perfect for Summer

Few things are better than sipping a cold beer on a hot summer day – except maybe sipping a cold cocktail on a hot summer day. Beer? Cocktail?

Beer? Cocktail? If you can’t decide, we’ve got good news.

Now you don’t have to. Beer makes for a surprisingly versatile mixer, bringing a range of flavors and depths to our favorite spirits. Whether you’re a fan of fruity cocktails or something with a savory edge, there’s a beer concoction out there for everyone.

Bonus: These recipes are perfect for serving up at your end-of-summer fiesta, sure to please both cocktail and beer lovers alike. Here are seven of our favorites.

Beerita Made with light beer, tequila, and limeade, it’s like a classic margarita but not quite as tart. If you’re looking for something frozen, simply blend up the ingredients with ice. See recipe

Bloody Hell The Bloody Hell (pictured) is not for the faint of heart, but undoubtedly delicious. IPA blends with bourbon, jalapeno, blood orange, and agave for a cocktail that’s hoppy, spicy, and sweet. See recipe

Summer Hoedown We’re nearing the end of the watermelon season, so it’s time to soak up every last juicy bite. The Summer Hoedown – made with white beer, watermelon, and maraschino liqueur – tastes exactly like summer. See recipe

Beer Sangria Not a fan of wine? This recipe swaps out vino for ale, as well as traditional brandy for pisco. The recipe is light and refreshing, arguably more so than your typical sangria. See recipe

Rub & Rye If a dude was a cocktail, he would be this. The Rub & Rye combines Belgian beer, whiskey, and barbecue bitters – and a beef jerky garnish, no less! – for a concoction that’s smoky, meaty, and bold. This might just be the manliest drink we’ve ever seen. See recipe

Michelada Alright, there’s no liquor in this one, but it’s a classic for a reason. Mexican cerveza gets a kick from tabasco and worcestershire sauce, plus a chili-salted rim. Feel free to play with the traditional recipe by adding your favorite juice – or a shot of tequila, if skipping the spirits felt like cheating. See recipe

Pukie Goop Don’t let the ridiculous name fool you – it’s big, bold, creamy, and delicious. A lighter yet boozier cousin of the Irish Car Bomb, it blends vodka, Baileys, and American lager into a guilty pleasure you’ll want again and again. See recipe

Need an excuse to pour a round when it isn’t sweltering out? April 7th is National Beer Day, the anniversary of the 1933 Cullen-Harrison Act going into effect – the law that re-legalized beer sales eight months before Prohibition officially ended. Upon signing it, FDR reportedly remarked, “I think this would be a good time for a beer.” Throngs of drinkers camped outside breweries agreed, downing 1.5 million barrels in the first 24 hours. These cocktails work just as well for that anniversary as they do for an August afternoon.

Photo credit: Courtesy of TheBeeroness.com

Beer cocktails are a great way to stretch your bar cart further – especially at backyard parties where you’ve got both spirits and a cold six-pack on hand. If that six-pack has been sitting in the garage since last summer, check whether old beer is still drinkable before it goes in a glass. If you want to explore more creative summer drink recipes that mix beer with liquor, check out Cocktail Builder for even more ideas.

Last modified on August 6, 2026