The 31 Best Labor Day Cocktail Ideas & Recipes for 2023

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

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

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

This classic frozen margarita takes just five ingredients and is perfect for cooling down on a hot summer day. 

 To get the same taste without the buzz, use a non-alcoholic spirit or limeade concentrate. Both produce delicious results your guests will love.

4. Classic paloma

Type of drink: Tequila cocktails

You can’t go wrong with a paloma. To follow our classic paloma recipe, 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

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

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 tablespoons of coffee liquer. Chill and serve over ice.

7. Americano cocktail

Type of cocktail: Red amaro cocktails

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

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

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

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

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

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

A summery strawberry daiquiri is always a hit. This drink comes together with 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 strawberries into your serving glasses for an extra vibrant treat.

14. Tom Collins

Type of drink: Gin cocktails

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

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.

16. Singapore sling

Type of drink: Gin cocktails

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

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

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

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

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 a drink 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 over ice. 

28. Non-alcoholic sangria

Type of drink: Mocktails

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

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

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

This sweet and tart refresher 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.

 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 guides:

• 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

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