Ranked by flavor math

The best summer cocktails,
ranked by math.

Summer asks two things of a drink: freshness and relief. We scored every cocktail in our 145-drink cellar on its freshness and sparkle axes — no brand deals, no vibes-only ranking. These came out on top.

01

Ranch Water

Tequila, lime, and salty sparkling water: West Texas's answer to a hundred-degree afternoon.

Freshness 9/10, sparkle 9/10 — built for heat.

02

Gin Rickey

Gin, lime, soda, zero sugar — the driest refreshment in the highball family.

Freshness 9/10, sparkle 8/10 — built for heat.

03

Mojito

White rum, mint, and lime — a Havana porch in a glass.

Freshness 10/10, sparkle 6/10 — built for heat.

04

Mimosa

Champagne and orange juice — the official beverage of long breakfasts.

Freshness 8/10, sparkle 9/10 — built for heat.

05

Aperol Spritz

Prosecco, Aperol, soda — golden hour you can hold.

Freshness 8/10, sparkle 9/10 — built for heat.

06

French 75

Gin, lemon, and Champagne — named after artillery, lands like confetti.

Freshness 8/10, sparkle 9/10 — built for heat.

07

Paloma

Tequila and grapefruit soda — the margarita's cooler, more casual cousin.

Freshness 9/10, sparkle 7/10 — built for heat.

08

Gin & Tonic

Botanical, bracing, and never wrong. The reliable genius of the bar.

Freshness 8/10, sparkle 8/10 — built for heat.

09

Moscow Mule

Vodka, ginger beer, lime — crisp enough to start a copper-mug industry.

Freshness 8/10, sparkle 8/10 — built for heat.

10

Tom Collins

Gin, lemon, sugar, soda — lemonade that went to finishing school.

Freshness 8/10, sparkle 8/10 — built for heat.

Or let the math pick for you.

Seven questions, scored against all 145 drinks.

Take the quiz

More rankings

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