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Sip Smart: 10 Refreshing Daytime Cocktails to Beat the Heat

When the sun is high, the right drink can make all the difference. Avoid overpowering concoctions that’ll leave you reeling before the afternoon’s even begun. Instead, opt for a perfectly calibrated cocktail to keep your spirits high and your thirst quenched.

Ranking the Best Daytime Drinks

From classic combinations to modern twists, we’ve curated a list of 10 refreshing cocktails to enjoy during the day. From worst to best, here’s our countdown:

10. Traditional Radler: A German Delight
In Germany, a radler is a cyclist’s best friend – a beer-based “sports drink” mixed with a soft drink, perfect for a quick pick-me-up at a countryside tavern.

9. Aperol Spritz: An Italian Appetite Whetter
This classic Italian cocktail combines Aperol, a bitter orange-flavored liqueur, with Prosecco wine, creating a refreshing drink that’s sure to whet your appetite on a warm day.

8. Mimosa: The Brunch Essential
The simple mix of orange juice and bubbly has become a brunch staple, capable of taking you from morning to late afternoon with ease.

7. Moscow Mule: A Daytime Kick
This easy-sipping cocktail packs a punch, with vodka, ginger beer, and lime coming together in perfect harmony.

6. Bloody Mary: A Lifestyle Drink
More than just a recipe, the Bloody Mary is a brunch institution, with endless variations and reinventions of the classic tomato juice and vodka combination.

5. Tequila Sunrise: A Prohibition-Era Classic
This blend of tequila and orange juice, with a hint of grenadine, has been fueling daylong parties since the Prohibition era.

4. Mint Julep: A Cool Kentucky Classic
This refreshing mix of mint, sugar, and bourbon is as much about the ice as it is about the ingredients, making it a perfect sipper for a hot day.

3. Pimm’s Cup: A Wimbledon Favorite
Cool off like the Brits do with this classic cocktail, perfect for sipping while watching the Wimbledon matches or simply enjoying a warm afternoon.

2. Americano: An Italian Cooler
This Campari-based cocktail is just as refreshing in Milan as it is in Cleveland, making it the perfect drink for a hot afternoon.

1. Tom Collins: The Ultimate Daytime Drink
With its pedigree dating back to 1877, the Tom Collins is the consummate day drink, combining gin, lemon juice, and sugar with fizzy water for a refreshing and sophisticated sipper.