Holidays
31 Labor Day Cocktails: Patriotic Cocktail Recipes for 2024
Labor Day is the perfect time to get together with family and friends for a cookout or picnic. Whether you plan to serve a crowd or just a few close family members, we’ve rounded up the best Labor Day cocktails to serve at your gathering. From low-prep drinks to non-alcoholic beverages, there’s something for everyone.
1. Strawberry margarita
Type of drink: Tequila cocktails
Flavor profile: Sweet and tart
Take advantage of the sweet summer-end strawberries with our fresh strawberry margarita. In batches, blend 12 ounces of tequila, 6 cups of strawberries, 6 cups of lime juice, 6 tablespoons of honey, 6 ounces of triple sec and 6 cups of ice.
2. No-blend mango margaritas
Type of drink: Tequila cocktails
Flavor profile: Sweet
This recipe is perfect for picnics or campouts where you won’t have access to a blender but still want an icy cold margarita. For each margarita, put the following in a small zip-top bag:
- 2 ounces of tequila
- 2 ounces of mango juice
- 1 ounce of lime juice
- 1 ounce of agave syrup
- 1/2 ounce of water
Seal well and freeze. When you’re ready to serve, let the mixture sit out for 15-20 minutes until slushy and pour into glasses. Want to go the traditional blended margarita route? Follow our frozen mango margarita recipe.
3. Classic frozen margarita
Type of drink: Tequila cocktails
Flavor profile: Sweet and tart
This classic frozen margarita takes just five ingredients and is perfect for cooling down on a hot summer day.
If you’re looking for a Labor Day mocktail, use a non-alcoholic spirit or limeade concentrate. Both produce delicious results your guests will love.
4. Classic paloma
Type of drink: Tequila cocktails
Flavor profile: Refreshing and citrusy
When it comes to Labor Day cocktails, you can’t go wrong with a paloma. To follow our classic paloma, all you need is 3 ounces of grapefruit soda, 2 ounces of tequila, 1 ounce of lime juice and sliced grapefruit to garnish. If you want to kick it up a notch, add a splash of mezcal or some jalapeño for some smoky and spicy flavor.
5. Irish cream over coffee ice cubes
Type of drink: Coffee cocktails
Flavor profile: Rich, creamy with a hint of sweetness
While simple to make, this drink requires you to make coffee ice cubes in advance. To make Irish cream over coffee ice cubes, pour cooled coffee into ice cube trays and freeze until solid, about six hours. To serve, put the coffee cubes in a glass and pour in equal parts Irish cream and cream or milk. Coffee cubes can be made up to two weeks in advance and stored in plastic zip-top bags.
6. Iced coffee with coffee liqueur
Type of drink: Coffee cocktails
Flavor profile: Rich, creamy
Iced coffee doesn’t get much better than this adult version. To enjoy your iced coffee with coffee liqueur, mix a cup of iced coffee, a splash of half and half or milk and a couple of tablespoons of coffee liqueur. Chill and serve over ice.
7. Americano cocktail
Type of cocktail: Red amaro cocktails
Flavor profile: Bitter and sweet
Invented in Italy but named after Americans because they loved the combo of sweet vermouth, red amaro and soda water so much. To make a cocktail Americano, combine one part sweet vermouth, one part red amaro and two parts club soda, then stir with ice.
8. Bourbon sweet tea
Type of drink: Bourbon cocktails
Flavor profile: Sweet
Sweet tea is a summer staple, so why not add some booze? All you need is your favorite sweet tea, some bourbon and lemon to throw together this batched bourbon cocktail.
For the perfect pitcher of bourbon sweet tea, combine 7 cups of black iced tea, 1 cup of white sugar, 1/2cup of lemon juice, 6 ounces of bourbon and 12 dashes of bitters. If you’d like, you can add some fresh ginger and mint to make it even more refreshing.
9. Dark and stormy
Type of drink: Rum cocktails
Flavor profile: Spicy
A dark and stormy is a classic rum cocktail that’s a total crowd-pleaser. Use your favorite rum to mix with the slightly spicy ginger beer for a traditional drink that’s perfect for your cookout. To make a dark and stormy, mix one part dark rum with two parts ginger beer and a 1/2ounce of lime juice. Pour over ice and serve with a thin slice of lime.
10. Mojito
Type of drink: Rum cocktails
Flavor profile: Refreshing and minty
The lime and mint in a mojito create a wonderful flavor to give you a refreshing way to cool off on a hot day. Mix the drinks one by one or make a big batch for the pitcher!
For a classic mojito, muddle some fresh mint (about 10 leaves), three lime wedges and 2 tablespoons of sugar in a glass. Then add your ice, 1 1/2 ounces of light rum and 1/2 a cup of soda water.
11. Blue Hawaii
Type of drink: Rum cocktails
Flavor profile: Sweet
Blue Hawaiis were invented in 1957 by a bartender due to a liquor rep’s request to make a drink that used new-at-the-time blue curaçao. More than half a century later, it’s still a well-loved drink and tastes great blended or over ice. To enjoy a blue Hawaii, use about 1 cup of ice, 2 ounces of pineapple juice, 1 ounce of light rum, 1 ounce of blue curaçao, 1 ounce of cream of coconut and blend it all together.
12. Painkiller
Type of drink: Rum cocktails
Flavor profile: Sweet
Sweet and delicious, painkillers are an orangey twist on piña coladas and a great way to beat the heat. All you’ll need for this Tropical Bliss Painkiller is 4 ounces of pineapple juice, 2 ounces of dark rum, 1 ounce of orange juice and 1 ounce of cream of coconut. Garnish with some nutmeg, a pineapple wedge and a maraschino cherry to keep it classic.
13. Boozy strawberry daiquiri
Type of drink: Rum cocktails
Flavor profile: Sweet and tart
One of the best patriotic cocktails, strawberry daiquiri, is always a hit. This drink consists of just rum, strawberries and lime juice, so it’s perfect for making in large batches. Add some fresh basil or a lime garnish to make this drink stand out at any Labor Day gathering.
We recommend muddling some fresh strawberries into your serving glasses for an extra vibrant treat.
14. Tom Collins
Type of drink: Gin cocktails
Flavor profile: Refreshing and citrusy
There’s something for everyone in this classic cocktail. The lemon juice adds a hint of tartness, the simple syrup gives it sweetness and the soda water adds the fizz. To make a Tom Collins, just add 2 ounces of gin, 3/4 ounce of lemon juice and 1/2 ounce of simple syrup to a cocktail shaker. Add some ice and club soda, then stir before serving.
15. Bee’s knees
Type of drink: Gin cocktails
Flavor profile: Sweet and tart
This Prohibition-era favorite is a crowd-pleaser and super easy to customize with different garnishes or add-ins. The basic version comes together quickly with some cocktail and pantry staples — you just need gin, lemon and honey.
To make the honey syrup, combine equal parts honey and water, then microwave in small increments and stir until the honey dissolves. To make your bee’s knees cocktail, shake 2 ounces of gin, 1 ounce of lemon juice and 1/2 ounce of honey syrup in a cocktail shaker with some ice.
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16. Singapore sling
Type of drink: Gin cocktails
Flavor profile: Fruity and sweet
Considered the national drink of its namesake country, the Singapore sling is fruity and sweet with pineapple and cherry flavors. Combine the following ingredients in a cocktail shaker:
- 4 ounces of pineapple juice
- 1 1/2 ounces of gin
- 1/3 ounce of grenadine
- 1/2 ounce of lime juice
- 1/2 ounce of cherry heering
- 1/4 ounce of triple sec
- 1/4 ounce of Bénédictine
- One dash bitters
Serve over ice and enjoy!
17. Gin basil smash
Type of drink: Gin cocktails
Flavor profile: Refreshing and herbal
If you like fresh, herbal drinks, gin cocktails are the way to go. All you need for this gin basil smash is some fresh basil to muddle (eight to 10 leaves per serving), 2 1/2 ounces of gin, 3/4 ounce of lemon juice and 3/4 ounce of simple syrup. Top with soda water if you’re looking for some fizz.
18. Summer rosé sangria
Type of drink: Wine cocktails
Flavor profile: Fruity and sweet
This refreshing rosé sangria looks as nice as it tastes when garnished with mint sprigs and orange slices. Mix one bottle of rosé wine, 2 cups of sliced strawberries, 1/3 cup of brandy, a sliced half lemon, 2 cups of sparkling water, 2 tablespoons of sugar and a sliced orange. Make at least an hour before serving to allow flavors to meld.
19. Rosé cucumber cooler
Type of drink: Wine cocktails
Flavor profile: Refreshing and sweet
To make this rosé cucumber cooler, mix a 750 mL bottle of your favorite rosé wine with 1 cup of elderflower liqueur. Then, add a squeeze of lemon juice for a burst of citrus and some cucumber slices.
20. The bomb pop
Type of drink: Wine cocktails
Flavor profile: Sweet
Relive one of the best parts of your childhood with a red, white and blue popsicle in a glass of Champagne. For any kids who want to make patriotic cocktails like the grown-ups, a glass of flavored sparkling water or lemon-lime soda works just as well.
21. Lemon berry white wine slushies
Type of drink: Wine cocktails
Flavor profile: Sweet and citrusy
This lemon berry white wine slushy recipe serves four to six and couldn’t be much simpler. Blend 16 ounces of frozen strawberries, 1 cup of lemonade, a 750 mL bottle of white wine and 1 cup of ice. Add extra lemonade to thin, if necessary.
22. Aperol spritz
Type of drink: Wine cocktails
Flavor profile: Refreshing and citrusy
An Aperol spritz is more than just refreshing — it’s a summer cocktail staple and super simple to make at home. This yummy cocktail is just three parts prosecco, three parts Aperol and one part soda water.
23. Frosés
Type of drink: Wine cocktails
Flavor profile: Sweet
This blended rosé drink is the perfect pitcher cocktail for warm weather. To make one, you’ll need a 750 mL bottle of rosé, 2 cups each of frozen strawberries and watermelon, 3 tablespoons of lime juice and 3 tablespoons of agave. Blend it all together and enjoy!
24. Moscow mule
Type of drink: Vodka cocktails
Flavor profile: Refreshing and tart
This take on the classic mule is a delicious summer addition. You’ll use vodka as the main liqueur in this cocktail, along with lime, ginger beer, mint and ice. Just follow our classic Moscow mule recipe to get started.
25. Greyhound
Type of drink: Vodka cocktails
Flavor profile: Refreshing and citrusy
With just two ingredients, you can whip up this tangy, citrusy drink in no time. For a classic greyhound, add 1 1/2 ounces of vodka to a glass and top with fresh grapefruit juice. Garnish with a slice of lime.
26. Gelatin shots
Type of drink: Vodka cocktails or mocktails
Flavor profile: Varies
Liven up your Labor Day celebration with some fun-themed gelatin shots in red and blue.
If you’re looking for a non-alcoholic option, lemon-lime soda or flavored sparkling water makes a great substitute for most types of alcohol. Or use a fruit juice that offers a complementary flavor. Options include:
- Cherry gelatin and your favorite cola
- Watermelon gelatin and peach vodka
- Orange gelatin and orange vodka
- Cherry gelatin and Fireball
- Blue raspberry gelatin and blue curaçao
- Pineapple gelatin and Malibu rum
- Piña colada shots made with pineapple gelatin, coconut milk and Malibu rum
Add grown-up flair to a childhood favorite when replacing some of the water with alcohol and chill in 2-ounce plastic cups. Use your favorite recipe or use these flavor combos to find a new go-to boozy gelatin shot.
To ensure your shots are set properly, replace about 1/2 a cup of the cold water from the gelatin-making process with about 1/2 a cup of vodka for each 3-ounce packet of gelatin.
27. Mango mule mocktail
Type of drink: Mocktails
Flavor profile: Sweet and refreshing
The great thing about Moscow mules is that they’re super easy to make without alcohol. To make a mango mule mocktail, muddle five slices of cucumber and some sprigs of mint in a cocktail shaker. Then add ice, 2 ounces of ginger ale, 1 1/2 ounces of lime juice, 1 1/2 ounces of simple syrup and 1 1/2 ounces of mango syrup. Shake it up and enjoy your Labor Day mocktail over ice.
28. Non-alcoholic sangria
Type of drink: Mocktails
Flavor profile: Varies
Red or white grape juice is a natural substitute for wine to make your new favorite non-alcoholic sangria recipe. Just add 750 mL of sparkling grape juice, 1/2 cup of pomegranate juice, a sliced nectarine, 1 cup of blueberries, 1 1/2 cups of soda water and ice to a pitcher.
29. Blue lagoon mocktail
Type of drink: Mocktails
Flavor profile: Sweet
Bring the ocean to you this summer by whipping up a refreshing Blue Lagoon mocktail. Made with curaçao-flavored syrup, this blue mocktail actually has the refreshing taste of summer oranges.
Just combine 12 ounces of your soda, 1/4 cup of blue curaçao syrup and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice over ice.
30. Piña colada
Type of drink: Mocktails
Flavor profile: Sweet
To make a tropical piña colada, blend t2 cups of pineapple juice with 3/4 cup of cream of coconut. Add 4 cups of ice and blend well. You’ll get a refreshing, icy beverage that everyone can enjoy.
31. Honey, blackberry and sage refresher
Type of drink: Mocktails
Flavor profile: Sweet and tart
This sweet and tart refreshing Labor Day mocktail is sure to be a hit. To make this perfect summer refresher, shake up 1/2 cup of ginger beer, 1/4 cup of honey, 2 tablespoons of lime juice, eight blackberries and 10 sage leaves. Top with soda water and serve.
Labor Day Cocktail Ideas
Course: DrinksCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: EasyTry one of the best Labor Day cocktails for any party or picnic.
Ingredients
Directions
- Choose one or more of the Labor Day cocktails above to make at your upcoming party.
Snacks to pair with Labor Day cocktails
Munchies are a must-have when sipping boozy beverages. Here are some yummy cocktail party foods guests will love. Even better, most have ready-made options in your grocery store’s frozen section.
- Homemade soft pretzels
- Parmesan and artichoke dip
- Loaded potato skins
- Cheese balls
- Buffalo cauliflower
Create your Labor Day menu
If you enjoyed this resource on Labor Day cocktail ideas, consider our additional patriotic recipe ideas:
- Labor Day Dessert Ideas to Try This Year
- Tasty Labor Day Picnic Ideas and Simple Recipes
- Labor Day Menu Ideas for Your Holiday Party
- Labor Day Food Traditions to Try
- Best Labor Day Dinner Ideas for a Great Holiday Meal
- Labor Day BBQ Ideas for Food, Beverages and Desserts
- Labor Day Grilling Ideas for Your Holiday Party
- Crowd-Pleasing Labor Day Cake Ideas for Your Party
Make Labor Day unforgettable with Instacart
No time to get to the store to buy everything you need to make your Labor Day cocktails? No problem! Use Instacart to place your order and a professional shopper will handle everything for you. From filling the cart to delivering the bags to your door, they’ve got you covered. Order now and have your groceries in as little as two hours!
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