21 Must-Try Labor Day Cocktails

ByViolet ParkerEditorial Policy

Are you looking for inspiration for Labor Day cocktails to mark the end of the summer? You’re in the right place! These delicious drinks are perfect for barbecues, pool parties, and backyard gatherings for friends and families, and they include tequila, vodka, rum, gin, bourbon, and wine based choices. From fun and fruity to elegant and sophisticated, there’s something here to suit any kind of vibe you’re trying to create. They’re also super easy to scale for a crowd. Without any further ado, let’s jump right in… 

21 Best Labor Day Cocktails

1. Classic Tequila Sunrise

tequila sunrise

The Classic Tequila Sunrise is a vibrant and visually stunning cocktail that tastes as good as it looks. With layers of tequila, orange juice, and grenadine, it’s the perfect drink to enjoy while watching the sunset.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz tequila
  • 16 oz orange juice
  • 2 oz grenadine
  • Orange slices and maraschino cherries for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Fill four highball glasses with ice.
  2. Pour 2 oz of tequila and 4 oz of orange juice into each glass.
  3. Slowly pour 1/2 oz of grenadine into each glass, letting it settle at the bottom to create a layered effect.
  4. Garnish with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry.
  5. Serve immediately.

2. Spicy Pineapple Margarita

spicy pineapple margarita

The Spicy Pineapple Margarita is a tropical twist on the classic margarita, featuring sweet pineapple and a hint of heat from fresh jalapeños. It’s a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz tequila
  • 4 oz triple sec
  • 8 oz pineapple juice
  • 4 oz lime juice
  • 1 jalapeño, sliced
  • Pineapple slices and jalapeño slices for garnish
  • Salt for rimming the glasses

Instructions:

  1. Rim four glasses with salt and fill with ice.
  2. In a cocktail shaker, combine tequila, triple sec, pineapple juice, lime juice, and a few jalapeño slices. Shake well.
  3. Strain into the prepared glasses.
  4. Garnish with pineapple slices and jalapeño slices.
  5. Serve immediately.

3. Creamy Banana Daiquiri

creamy banana daiquiri

The Creamy Banana Daiquiri is a smooth and tropical drink that combines ripe bananas with rum and a hint of lime. It’s a deliciously creamy cocktail that’s perfect for a summer celebration.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz white rum
  • 4 oz banana liqueur
  • 2 ripe bananas
  • 4 oz lime juice
  • 2 oz simple syrup
  • Ice
  • Banana slices for garnish

Instructions:

  1. In a blender, combine rum, banana liqueur, ripe bananas, lime juice, simple syrup, and ice. Blend until smooth.
  2. Pour into four glasses.
  3. Garnish with banana slices.
  4. Serve immediately.

4. Mai Tai

mai tai

The Mai Tai is a classic tiki cocktail that brings a taste of the tropics to your Labor Day celebration. With a mix of rum, lime, and almond flavors, it’s a refreshing and exotic drink.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz dark rum
  • 4 oz light rum
  • 4 oz lime juice
  • 2 oz orange curaçao
  • 2 oz orgeat syrup
  • Ice
  • Mint sprigs and lime wedges for garnish

Instructions:

  1. In a cocktail shaker, combine dark rum, light rum, lime juice, orange curaçao, orgeat syrup, and ice. Shake well.
  2. Strain into four glasses filled with ice.
  3. Garnish with mint sprigs and lime wedges.
  4. Serve immediately.

5. Strawberry Sangria

strawberry sangria

Strawberry Sangria is a fruity and refreshing drink that combines fresh strawberries, wine, and a splash of brandy. It’s perfect for sipping on a warm summer day.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

  • 1 bottle (750 ml) white wine
  • 4 oz brandy
  • 1 cup sliced strawberries
  • 1 orange, sliced
  • 1 lemon, sliced
  • 2 oz simple syrup
  • 8 oz club soda
  • Ice

Instructions:

  1. In a large pitcher, combine white wine, brandy, sliced strawberries, orange slices, lemon slices, and simple syrup. Stir well.
  2. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
  3. Just before serving, add club soda and stir gently.
  4. Fill four glasses with ice and pour the sangria over the ice.
  5. Serve immediately.

6. Watermelon Mojito

watermelon mojito

The Watermelon Mojito is a refreshing twist on the classic mojito, featuring juicy watermelon and fresh mint. It’s a light and hydrating cocktail that’s perfect for hot summer days.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz white rum
  • 1 cup fresh watermelon, cubed
  • 4 oz lime juice
  • 8 oz soda water
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • Fresh mint leaves
  • Ice

Instructions:

  1. Muddle the watermelon cubes, mint leaves, and sugar in a cocktail shaker.
  2. Add rum and lime juice, and shake well.
  3. Strain into four glasses filled with ice.
  4. Top with soda water and stir gently.
  5. Garnish with additional mint leaves and watermelon slices if desired.
  6. Serve immediately.

7. Blueberry Lemonade Vodka Smash

blueberry lemonade vodka smash

The Blueberry Lemonade Vodka Smash is a vibrant and tangy cocktail that combines fresh blueberries, lemonade, and vodka for a refreshing drink with a beautiful color.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz vodka
  • 1 cup fresh blueberries
  • 8 oz lemonade
  • 4 oz club soda
  • 2 oz simple syrup
  • Ice
  • Lemon slices and blueberries for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Muddle the blueberries and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker.
  2. Add vodka and lemonade, and shake well.
  3. Strain into four glasses filled with ice.
  4. Top with club soda and stir gently.
  5. Garnish with lemon slices and blueberries.
  6. Serve immediately.

8. Tropical Rum Punch

tropical rum punch

Tropical Rum Punch is a fruity and colorful cocktail that combines multiple fruit juices with rum for a party-ready drink that’s sure to please.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz dark rum
  • 4 oz coconut rum
  • 8 oz pineapple juice
  • 4 oz orange juice
  • 2 oz grenadine
  • Ice
  • Pineapple slices and maraschino cherries for garnish

Instructions:

  1. In a large pitcher, combine dark rum, coconut rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, and grenadine. Stir well.
  2. Fill four glasses with ice and pour the punch over the ice.
  3. Garnish with pineapple slices and maraschino cherries.
  4. Serve immediately.

9. Mango Margarita

mango margarita

The Mango Margarita is a tropical twist on the classic margarita, featuring fresh mango puree for a sweet and refreshing drink.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz tequila
  • 4 oz triple sec
  • 1 cup fresh mango puree
  • 4 oz lime juice
  • Ice
  • Mango slices and lime wedges for garnish
  • Salt for rimming the glasses

Instructions:

  1. Rim four glasses with salt and fill with ice.
  2. In a cocktail shaker, combine tequila, triple sec, mango puree, and lime juice. Shake well.
  3. Strain into the prepared glasses.
  4. Garnish with mango slices and lime wedges.
  5. Serve immediately.

10. Coconut Pineapple Cooler

coconut pineapple cooler

The Coconut Pineapple Cooler is a creamy and tropical drink that combines coconut milk, pineapple juice, and rum for a refreshing summer cocktail.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz coconut rum
  • 8 oz pineapple juice
  • 4 oz coconut milk
  • Ice
  • Pineapple slices for garnish

Instructions:

  1. In a cocktail shaker, combine coconut rum, pineapple juice, coconut milk, and ice. Shake well.
  2. Strain into four glasses filled with ice.
  3. Garnish with pineapple slices.
  4. Serve immediately.

11. Raspberry Limeade Spritzer

raspberry limeade spritzer

The Raspberry Limeade Spritzer is a light and fizzy drink that combines fresh raspberries, limeade, and sparkling water for a refreshing and fruity cocktail.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz vodka
  • 1 cup fresh raspberries
  • 8 oz limeade
  • 8 oz sparkling water
  • Ice
  • Lime slices and raspberries for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Muddle the raspberries in a cocktail shaker.
  2. Add vodka and limeade, and shake well.
  3. Strain into four glasses filled with ice.
  4. Top with sparkling water and stir gently.
  5. Garnish with lime slices and raspberries.
  6. Serve immediately.

12. Peach Bourbon Iced Tea

peach bourbon iced tea

Peach Bourbon Iced Tea is a Southern-inspired cocktail that combines sweet peaches, bourbon, and iced tea for a refreshing and boozy drink.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz bourbon
  • 1 cup peach puree
  • 16 oz iced tea
  • 2 oz simple syrup
  • Ice
  • Peach slices and mint leaves for garnish

Instructions:

  1. In a large pitcher, combine bourbon, peach puree, iced tea, and simple syrup. Stir well.
  2. Fill four glasses with ice and pour the mixture over the ice.
  3. Garnish with peach slices and mint leaves.
  4. Serve immediately.

13. Kiwi Mojito

kiwi mojito

The Kiwi Mojito is a refreshing twist on the classic mojito, featuring fresh kiwi and mint for a bright and fruity cocktail, perfect for Labor Day pool parties and barbecues. 

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz white rum
  • 4 kiwis, peeled and sliced
  • 4 oz lime juice
  • 8 oz soda water
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • Fresh mint leaves
  • Ice

Instructions:

  1. Muddle the kiwi slices, mint leaves, and sugar in a cocktail shaker.
  2. Add rum and lime juice, and shake well.
  3. Strain into four glasses filled with ice.
  4. Top with soda water and stir gently.
  5. Garnish with additional mint leaves and kiwi slices if desired.
  6. Serve immediately.

14. Cherry Lime Gin Fizz

cherry lime gin fizz

The Cherry Lime Gin Fizz is a light and bubbly cocktail that combines fresh cherries, lime, and gin for a refreshing summer drink.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz gin
  • 1 cup fresh cherries, pitted
  • 4 oz lime juice
  • 8 oz club soda
  • 2 oz simple syrup
  • Ice
  • Lime slices and cherries for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Muddle the cherries and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker.
  2. Add gin and lime juice, and shake well.
  3. Strain into four glasses filled with ice.
  4. Top with club soda and stir gently.
  5. Garnish with lime slices and cherries.
  6. Serve immediately.

15. Pineapple Coconut Mojito

pineapple coconut mojito

The Pineapple Coconut Mojito is a tropical and refreshing drink that combines pineapple, coconut, and mint for a delicious summer cocktail.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz white rum
  • 1 cup pineapple chunks
  • 4 oz coconut milk
  • 4 oz lime juice
  • 8 oz soda water
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • Fresh mint leaves
  • Ice

Instructions:

  1. Muddle the pineapple chunks, mint leaves, and sugar in a cocktail shaker.
  2. Add rum, coconut milk, and lime juice, and shake well.
  3. Strain into four glasses filled with ice.
  4. Top with soda water and stir gently.
  5. Garnish with additional mint leaves and pineapple slice if desired.
  6. Serve immediately.

16. Blackberry Basil Lemonade

blackberry basil lemonade

Blackberry Basil Lemonade is a refreshing and unique cocktail that combines the tartness of blackberries with the freshness of basil and lemonade.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz vodka
  • 1 cup fresh blackberries
  • 8 oz lemonade
  • 4 oz club soda
  • 2 oz simple syrup
  • Fresh basil leaves
  • Ice

Instructions:

  1. Muddle the blackberries, basil leaves, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker.
  2. Add vodka and lemonade, and shake well.
  3. Strain into four glasses filled with ice.
  4. Top with club soda and stir gently.
  5. Garnish with additional basil leaves and blackberries.
  6. Serve immediately.

17. Tropical Mango Punch

tropical mango punch

Tropical Mango Punch is a fruity and refreshing drink that combines mango, pineapple, and orange juices with rum for a perfect summer cocktail.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz rum
  • 1 cup mango puree
  • 8 oz pineapple juice
  • 4 oz orange juice
  • 2 oz grenadine
  • Ice
  • Mango slices and pineapple chunks for garnish

Instructions:

  1. In a large pitcher, combine rum, mango puree, pineapple juice, orange juice, and grenadine. Stir well.
  2. Fill four glasses with ice and pour the punch over the ice.
  3. Garnish with mango slices and pineapple chunks.
  4. Serve immediately.

18. Cucumber Mint Cooler

cucumber mint cooler

Cucumber Mint Cooler is a light and refreshing drink that combines fresh cucumber, mint, and vodka for a cooling summer cocktail.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz vodka
  • 1 cucumber, sliced
  • 4 oz lime juice
  • 8 oz soda water
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • Fresh mint leaves
  • Ice

Instructions:

  1. Muddle the cucumber slices, mint leaves, and sugar in a cocktail shaker.
  2. Add vodka and lime juice, and shake well.
  3. Strain into four glasses filled with ice.
  4. Top with soda water and stir gently.
  5. Garnish with additional mint leaves and cucumber slices if desired.
  6. Serve immediately.

19. Peach Bellini

peach bellini

The Peach Bellini is a classic and elegant cocktail that combines fresh peach puree with sparkling wine for a refreshing and bubbly drink. It’s such a wonderful fruity choice for Labor Day! 

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup fresh peach puree
  • 1 bottle (750 ml) sparkling wine
  • Peach slices for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Divide the peach puree among four champagne flutes.
  2. Slowly top with sparkling wine, gently stirring to combine.
  3. Garnish with peach slices.
  4. Serve immediately.

20. Strawberry Basil Gin Fizz

strawberry basil gin fizz

Strawberry Basil Gin Fizz is a refreshing and herbaceous cocktail that combines fresh strawberries, basil, and gin for a unique summer drink.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz gin
  • 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
  • 4 oz lime juice
  • 8 oz soda water
  • 2 oz simple syrup
  • Fresh basil leaves
  • Ice

Instructions:

  1. Muddle the strawberries, basil leaves, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker.
  2. Add gin and lime juice, and shake well.
  3. Strain into four glasses filled with ice.
  4. Top with soda water and stir gently.
  5. Garnish with additional basil leaves and strawberries.
  6. Serve immediately.

21. Citrus Sunrise

citrus sunrise cocktail

Citrus Sunrise is a vibrant and refreshing cocktail that combines orange, grapefruit, and lime juices with tequila for a perfect summer drink.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz tequila
  • 4 oz orange juice
  • 4 oz grapefruit juice
  • 4 oz lime juice
  • 2 oz grenadine
  • Ice
  • Orange slices and lime wedges for garnish

Instructions:

  1. In a large pitcher, combine tequila, orange juice, grapefruit juice, and lime juice. Stir well.
  2. Fill four glasses with ice and pour the mixture over the ice.
  3. Slowly pour 1/2 oz of grenadine into each glass to create a layered effect.
  4. Garnish with orange slices and lime wedges.
  5. Serve immediately.

These 21 Labor Day cocktails are perfect for celebrating the end of summer with friends and family. From classic favorites to unique twists, there’s a cocktail here for everyone to enjoy. Cheers to a fantastic Labor Day!