Check Out Our Labor Day Weekend 2025 Drinks Roundup

Labor Day Weekend is coming in fast, and it’s usually seen as summer’s last hurrah before we settle into the cooler months here in the United States. While Labor Day Weekend is typically a time for vacation and relaxation, adult beverages can certainly be a part of that mix, and we’ve got a roundup that should spark some ideas. If you know me, then you’re well aware that summer is not my favorite time of the year. When Labor Day rolls around, I begin my countdown to the first day of fall with shorter days, cooler nights, and all sorts of flavors that match the season. That isn’t to say I haven’t enjoyed my summer, and I’ve had plenty of shaken, citrusy cocktails along with heavier stirred drinks. I can freely admit that the bright, lighter drinks have been good to me, and I’m amazed at how much I’ve enjoyed cooling off with them on my deck, or on vacation at poolside. I can imagine that Labor Day Weekend for most will involve barbecuing outdoors, large gatherings of family and friends, and maybe even some sports action. All of those activities could certainly be enhanced with a tasty beverage. In this roundup, we’ve got some inventive riffs on some classics, a couple of RTD (ready-to-drink) options, and even a booze-free cocktail for those looking to abstain from imbibing but still want to join the party. For now, have a great Labor Day Weekend and indulge sensibly. Cheers!

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NOTE: I will be updating this post with more cocktails tomorrow. If you don’t see your brand, grant me a bit of patience. Some should be aware of what I’m dealing with at the moment. — Photo: Getty

1. -196 Lemon

The RTD has a new player from Beam Suntory, -196 Lemon (said as Minus 196). The name comes from the freezing process used for the lemons used for this tasty and crushable vodka seltzer. Defintiely one to pack in the cooler for the weekend and beyond. Also comes in Peach, Grapefruit, and a Zero Sugar Lemon.

Learn more here.

2. 30 Second Espresso Martini (Borghetti)

Ingredients:

1 ½ oz Borghetti Espresso Liqueur
1 ½ oz Vodka
Garnish: 3 coffee beans

Method
Mix equal parts Borghetti and your spirit of choice. Shake over ice for 30 seconds and strain. Serve in a chilled martini or coupe glass. Garnish with three coffee beans.

3. Antica Spritz

Ingredients:
2 oz Antica Formula Vermouth
3 oz Prosecco
Splash of soda water
Ice
Garnish: orange peel

Method
Fill a glass with ice. Pour in the ingredients and top with a splash of soda water. Gently stir with a spoon and garnish with an orange peel.

4. Bianco Spritz (Martini)

Ingredients:
50 ml MARTINI® Bianco
75 ml MARTINI® Prosecco
25 ml Soda
Fresh mint, slices of lemon and strawberry to garnish

Method
Add all ingredients to a Spritz glass with ice. Stir gently. Garnish and enjoy.

5. Cantarito

Cantarito cocktail,spirit.ed,cantarito

by Carnelian Cooks

Ingredients:
2 oz Dulce Vida Organic Blanco Tequila
.5 oz Orange Juice
¾ oz Grapefruit Juice
.5 oz Lime Juice
Pinch of Tajin
Grapefruit Soda, to top
Garnish: Lime Wheel and Orange Wheel

Method: In a Collins glass, add all ingredients with ice. Gently stir and top with a splash of grapefruit soda. Garnish with lime wheel and orange wheel. Cin Cin!

6. Casa Refresher Pitcher (Batch/Large Format)

Ingredients:
15 oz. Casamigos Blanco Tequila  
10 oz. Watermelon Juice or 40-50 Watermelon Chunks (1”)  
5 oz. Fresh Lime Juice  
5 oz. Simple Syrup  
Heaping Handful Mint Leaves  
1.25 oz. Peychauds Bitters  
Garnish Mint Sprig + Watermelon Cube through Skewer  

Instructions:  
Combine all ingredients into a medium to large pitcher and muddle fruit/herbs. Then fill to the top with ice and stir well with a bar spoon for 10-12 seconds.  

7. CAZADORES RTD

CAZADORES, known for its tequila, is dipping its toes into the widening RTD (Ready-To-Drink) pool with a trio of canned cocktails using its tequila as a base. So far, the cocktails are the Paloma, Margarita, and Spicy Margarita. We haven’t tried this yet, but hope to do so soon.

Learn more here.

8. Chef Merito – Spicy Jalapeno Margarita

(Serves 4)

Ingredients:
4 limes, cut in wedges
1 small jar (2.75oz) Chef Merito® Sal Chile Limon
1 jalapeño pepper, stemmed, seeded, and sliced
½ medium cucumber, thinly sliced
3 cups margarita mix
1 ½ cups gold tequila
¾ cup Patrón Citrónge or orange liqueur (like Grand Marnier)
Ice for serving

Preparation:

Rub the rim of each glass with lime and dip into Chef Merito® Sal Chile Limon. In a pitcher, combine margarita mix, tequila, and orange liqueur. Add jalapeño and cucumber slices for a refreshing kick. Serve over ice with lime wedges.

9. Double Down

10. Fro-Gini

Ingredients:
6 oz. NOLET’S Silver Gin
6 oz. Red Vermouth
6 oz. Campari
4-5 Ripe, Frozen Strawberries (stems removed)
A handful of Ice
Orange Peel or Strawberry for Garnish

Method: Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a rocks glass and serve with a swath of orange peel or a strawberry.

11. Golden Ace by Bartesian

Golden Ace is one of the newer cocktails from the fantastic folks at Bartesian. With the US Open in full swing, no pun intended, this is meant for the waning days of summer with bright lemonade, honeydew, and raspberry flavors. Get them while they last!

Learn more here.

12. Hibiscus Daisy

13. Kentucky Buck (Jeptha Creed)

Ingredients:
2 oz Jeptha Creed Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon
3 dashes Ne Oublie Strawberry Ginger bitters
1 oz ginger simple syrup
¾ oz lemon juice
2–3 strawberries
2 mint leaves
1 mint sprig
Club soda

Instructions: Add all ingredients except the club soda to a highball (Collins) glass and lightly muddle. Top with club soda, then garnish with a mint sprig and a strawberry.

14. Mango Margarita

15. Old Orcadian Spritz (Highland Park)

16. Paloma (Fluère – N/A)

Ingredients:
1 ¾ oz Fluère Smoked Agave
 ½ oz Lime Juice
Topped with Grapefruit Soda
Garnish: Grapefruit zest

Directions: Add ingredients into a chilled highball glass. Top with grapefruit soda and stir. Garnish with grapefruit zest.

17. Peach Smash (Angel's Envy)

18. Penicillin (The Deacon)

19. Pineapple Rickey

Ingredients:
1.5 oz Drumshanbo Gunpowder Gin Brazilian Pineapple
.5 oz Lime Juice
.75 oz pineapple juice
Top with Soda Water

Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in Highball glass building over ice.Top with soda water, stir with straw or spoon to balance and fully dilute/

20. Rose-Tinted Summer

21. Spiced Apple Margarita (LALO)

Ingredients:
2 oz LALO
1.5 oz apple cider
.75 lime juice
.75 agave
Dash ground cinnamon
Salt rim: mix turbinado sugar, salt, cinnamon
Garnish: Star anise

Method: Combine LALO, apple cider, lime juice, agave nectar and cinnamon in an ice-filled shaker tin. Shake to chill and dilute. Strain into ice filled rocks glass, rimmed with the sugar/salt/cinnamon mixture. Garnish with apple slices, cinnamon stick and star anise.

22. Spiced Palmer

23. Spicy Lime Margarita (Cutwater)

Created by @itscocktailhour_

Ingredients:
1 can Cutwater Lime Margarita
3-4 slices of red pepper, muddled
Tajín for the rim
Dehydrated lime wheel

To Make:
Rim a glass with lime juice and dip it in Tajín. Muddle the red pepper slices in the glass, add ice, and pour in the Lime Margarita. Garnish with a pepper slice and a dehydrated lime wheel.

24. Studio Spritzer

25. Sunrise Surprise (Loca Loka)

Ingredients:
2 oz Loca Loka Blanco
1 oz Grenadine
2 oz Cranberry Juice
0.5 oz Lime Juice
0.5 oz Simple Syrup
Garnish: Lime Wheel and Cherry

Directions: Add ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into rocks glass with ice. Garnish with lime wheel and cherry. 

26. The Pear-Fect Spritz

27. The Queen's Knees Martini

28. Rum Lemondrop

Ingredients:
Granulated sugar for preparing the glass
2 oz Kōloa Kauaʻi White Rum
0.5 oz limoncello
1 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 oz simple syrup
Lemon wheel for garnish

29. Tommy’s Margarita