With the arrival of summer, everything starts to change. The evenings grow longer, and our glasses are filled with something fresh and exciting. Heavy winter drinks give way to lighter, brighter choices. This is when summer beverages take center stage, turning an ordinary evening on the terrace into a small celebration.
Light aperitifs, a glass of rosé served over ice, or a fruity cocktail with mint. These are more than just drinks; they set the mood. They are easy to enjoy, complement rather than overpower food, and fit perfectly into any occasion, from lively gatherings to quiet evenings alone. What makes drinks for relaxation stand out is this very sense of lightness. There is no rush. You savor every sip and enjoy the moment. That is their greatest appeal.
In this article, we have gathered some of the best options for the warm season, from timeless classics that never disappoint to fresh ideas worth trying this summer.
Rosé wine: summer in a glass
Some drinks are so closely associated with a particular season that a single sip can instantly transport you there. Rosé wine is one of them. When the weather is warm and the evening is just beginning, it is hard to imagine a more fitting choice. Light, fruity, pleasantly crisp, and beautifully colored, it brings a sense of summer with every glass.
Rosé season officially begins as soon as temperatures rise above 20°C. It is one of the most popular summer drinks in Europe, equally enjoyable at a beach party or during a quiet evening on the terrace. Here are some options worth trying this season.
JP. Chenet Sparkling Ice Rose
Aroma: Intense, with notes of red berries, including strawberry, cherry, and raspberry.
Palate: Light and silky, semi-dry, with delicate bubbles and a fruity character.
Food pairing: Poultry, light desserts, tarts, ice cream, and fresh fruit.
Serving suggestion: Serve well chilled over ice in a large wine glass.
Country of origin: France
Mateus Semi-dry rosé 11%
Aroma: Fresh and floral, with notes of jasmine, wild strawberry, and mixed berries.
Palate: Light, semi-dry, delicate and refreshing, with a pleasant balance of acidity and sweetness.
Food pairing: Light salads, fish, white meat, barbecue, and seafood.
Serving suggestion: Serve chilled at 8–10°C in a tulip-shaped glass or a standard white wine glass.
Country of origin: Portugal
Baron Philippe de Rothschild Mouton Cadet Rose
Aroma: Fresh red berry notes of wild strawberry, blackcurrant, and delicate hints of raspberry.
Palate: Light, dry, fresh, and juicy, with notes of red fruit and pleasant minerality.
Food Pairing: Goat cheese salad, grilled shrimp with a citrus marinade, and light seafood dishes.
Serving Suggestion: Serve chilled at 8–10°C in a white or rosé wine glass.
Country of Origin: Bordeaux, France.
Vermouth and aperitif wines: the light taste of a summer evening
Vermouth has firmly secured its place on summer terraces and on the menus of Europe’s finest bars. It is one of the best light aperitifs for the warm season, easy to enjoy and perfectly suited to food pairing. French aperitif wines offer a similar experience, with aromatic, fruit-forward profiles that feel right at home on a warm summer evening.
Aroma: Floral and herbaceous, with notes of vanilla, citrus, and Alpine herbs.
Palate: Smooth, slightly sweet, and well-balanced, with a delicate bitterness on the finish.
Food Pairing: Grana Padano cheese, olives, light appetizers, and roasted vegetables.
Serving Suggestion: Serve over ice mixed 50/50 with tonic water and garnished with a slice of lime or lemon.
Country of Origin: Italy
Lillet French Apricot Rosé 17%
Aroma: Red berries, orange blossom, grapefruit, and delicate sweet notes.
Palate: Fresh and fruity, with notes of berries, peach nectar, apricot, and a subtle floral acidity on the finish.
Food Pairing: Oysters, light appetizers, charcuterie, goat cheese, and fresh fruit.
Serving Suggestion: Serve chilled at 6–8°C over ice with a slice of lime, or use as a base for a Lillet Spritz with tonic water and fresh berries.
Country of Origin: Bordeaux, France.
Liqueurs: a sweet touch to a summer evening
Liqueurs hold a special place among summer drinks. They are not meant to be the main drink of the evening, but they know how to complement it perfectly. Enjoyed as a digestif after dinner, used as a base for cocktails, or served as a chilled shot among friends, they bring variety and character to any occasion. Among drinks made for relaxation, liqueurs stand out for their wide range of flavors and styles. Fruity, citrusy, or herbal, they feel especially appropriate during the warmer months.
Lemon liqueurs: bright citrus flavor
Lemon liqueurs are the essence of summer in a glass. Refreshing, vibrant, and aromatic, they are equally enjoyable on their own or as the foundation of a cocktail.
Pallini Limoncello
Aroma: Fresh lemon zest, lemon meringue, and delicate herbal notes.
Palate: Well-balanced, with bright citrus acidity, pleasant sweetness, and a smooth, creamy texture.
Food Pairing: Lemon sorbet, fruit desserts, tarts, and fresh strawberries.
Serving Suggestion: Serve ice cold, straight from the freezer, in a small glass.
Country of Origin: Italy, made with lemons from the Amalfi Coast.
Limonce Aperitivo 14.8%
Aroma: Intense and fruity, with notes of sun-ripened Sicilian lemons and a touch of citrus freshness.
Palate: Fruity and balanced, featuring natural lemon sweetness, gentle acidity, and a delicate bitter finish. Less sweet than traditional limoncello.
Food Pairing: Light appetizers, cheese, and seafood.
Serving Suggestion: Serve over ice in a large glass with a slice of lemon, or use as a base for a Limonce Spritz with prosecco and soda water.
Country of Origin: Italy, made with Sicilian lemons.
Koskenkorva Lemon Shot 21% 0.5L
Aroma: Fresh lemon, citrus zest, and a hint of natural sweetness.
Palate: Bright flavors of freshly squeezed lemon juice and fragrant citrus peel, balanced acidity, and a long, refreshing finish. Less sweet than traditional limoncello.
Serving Suggestion: Serve ice cold as a shot, mixed with tonic or soda water, or as a base for a light spritz with prosecco.
Country of Origin: Finland.
Apple liqueurs: an unexpectedly perfect choice for summer
Apple liqueurs are another flavor that shines during the warmer months. Juicy, refreshing, and easy to enjoy, they work equally well on their own or as a base for cocktails.
Berentzen Apfel
Aroma: Fresh apples and ripe orchard fruits with a subtle hint of citrus.
Palate: Smooth and fruity, with a rich apple character, balanced acidity, and gentle sweetness.
Food Pairing: Apple desserts, cheesecake, and vanilla ice cream.
Serving Suggestion: Serve chilled as a shot, over ice, or mixed with prosecco or soda water.
Country of Origin: Germany
Jack Daniel's Apple Liqueur 35%
Aroma: Fresh green apple combined with classic notes of caramel, oak, and a touch of spice from Tennessee Whiskey.
Palate: Crisp apple flavors layered with warm caramel and toffee, balanced by the signature spice of Old No. 7.
Food Pairing: Pork ribs, apple pie, and chicken glazed with apple sauce.
Serving Suggestion: Serve chilled as a shot, over ice, or mixed with soda water or ginger ale.
Country of Origin: Tennessee, USA
Sure Fisk Sour Apple Liqueur 15%
Aroma: Bright green apple, fresh orchard fruits, a subtle citrus note, and delicate floral hints.
Palate: Juicy sweet-and-sour green apple with lively acidity and a pleasant caramel sweetness on the finish.
Serving Suggestion: Serve ice cold as a shot or over ice. Also pairs well with soda water and lemonade.
Country of Origin: Denmark.
Berry, mint, and exotic liqueurs: the vibrant flavors of summer
These liqueurs bring a distinctive character to moments of relaxation. Juicy raspberry, ripe strawberry, cool mint, and aromatic coconut each offer something unique. Some pair beautifully with desserts, while others are perfect as a chilled shot among friends or as the base of a refreshing cocktail.
Bottega Veneta Raspberry Liqueur 15%
Aroma: Intense raspberry with soft notes of milk, cream, and a delicate hint of grappa.
Palate: Velvety and creamy, with a vibrant raspberry character and gentle sweetness. Reminiscent of melted raspberry ice cream.
Food Pairing: Panna cotta, cream-based ice cream, fresh berries, and biscuits.
Serving Suggestion: Serve ice cold in a tumbler glass or use as an ingredient in cocktails.
Country of Origin: Veneto, Italy
XUXU Strawberry 15%
Aroma: Intense fresh strawberry with subtle citrus notes of lime.
Palate: Fruity and juicy, featuring ripe strawberry flavors, light acidity, and balanced sweetness. Made with more than 66% fruit content.
Serving Suggestion: Serve chilled at 8–10°C as a shot. Shake before serving, or enjoy with prosecco and ice.
Country of Origin: Germany
Koskenkorva Minttu Liqueur 35%
Aroma: Intense fresh mint with delicate herbal notes.
Palate: Full-bodied, with a pronounced peppermint flavor, balanced sweetness, and a subtle hint of caramel.
Serving Suggestion: Serve ice cold as a shot, with hot chocolate, or as an ingredient in refreshing cocktails.
Country of Origin: Finland
Baileys Mint Chocolate
Aroma: Chocolate and fresh mint, complemented by creamy Irish dairy notes.
Palate: Smooth and velvety, combining the classic Baileys character with refreshing mint and delicate dark chocolate. Reminiscent of mint chocolate ice cream coated in chocolate.
Food Pairing: Vanilla ice cream, chocolate desserts, and coffee.
Serving Suggestion: Serve chilled over ice or use as a base for a Mint Chocolate Martini.
Country of Origin: Ireland
Malibu
Aroma: Aromatic coconut with creamy dairy notes and a touch of vanilla.
Palate: Light and sweet, with pronounced coconut flavors, hints of vanilla cream, and a delicate rum warmth on the finish. Reminiscent of a Bounty chocolate bar.
Food Pairing: Pineapple juice, cola, soda water, and orange juice.
Serving Suggestion: Serve over ice on its own or use as a base for a Piña Colada or Malibu Spritz.
Country of Origin: Barbados.
Ready-to-consume cocktails: open and enjoy
Sometimes the best cocktail is the one you do not have to make yourself. Ready-to-drink cocktails and cocktail kits solve the biggest challenge of a summer evening: enjoying a great drink quickly and effortlessly. Aperol Spritz, Mojito, and Piña Colada are timeless classics that feel equally at home at a lively gathering or during a quiet evening on the balcony.
Campari Aperol 11%
Aroma: Bright citrus notes with hints of bitter orange, rhubarb, and herbs.
Palate: Sweet and tangy, with distinctive citrus bitterness and delicate herbal notes.
How to Enjoy: The classic Aperol Spritz recipe calls for 3 parts prosecco, 2 parts Aperol, and 1 part soda water, served over ice with a slice of orange in a large wine glass.
Food Pairing: Olives, bruschetta, prosciutto, and light appetizers.
Country of Origin: Italy
Aperol Spritz 11% + Riccadonna Prosecco 11%
A ready-made kit for preparing the classic Aperol Spritz at home. It includes Aperol and Riccadonna Prosecco, the official prosecco of the Campari Group, which also owns Aperol.
Riccadonna Prosecco: Straw-yellow in color with fine bubbles and aromas of apple, pear, acacia blossom, and delicate citrus. Dry, fresh, and well-balanced on the palate.
How to Prepare: Mix 3 parts prosecco, 2 parts Aperol, and 1 part soda water. Serve over ice with a slice of orange in a large wine glass.
Country of Origin: Italy
Aperol Spritz 11% + Cinzano Prosecco 11%
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A ready-made kit for preparing the classic Aperol Spritz at home. It includes Aperol and Cinzano Prosecco, produced by one of Italy’s oldest sparkling wine houses with more than 260 years of history.
Cinzano Prosecco: Straw-yellow in color with fine, persistent bubbles and aromas of green apple, pear, acacia, and floral notes. Fresh, fruity, and dry on the palate.
How to Prepare: Mix 3 parts prosecco, 2 parts Aperol, and 1 part soda water. Serve over ice with a slice of orange in a large wine glass.
Country of Origin: Italy
Breezer Orange Cocktail 4%
Aroma: Bright and refreshing orange with citrus zest and delicate floral notes.
Palate: Juicy orange flavors with pleasant acidity, balanced sweetness, and lively carbonation. Made with Bacardi rum infused with orange flavor and mineral water.
Serving Suggestion: Ready to drink. Serve well chilled straight from the bottle or over ice.
Country of Origin: Cuba
Bacardi Mojito Flavoured Rum 14.9%
Aroma: Fresh lime and mint, just like a classic Mojito.
Palate: Refreshing and balanced, with pronounced flavors of ripe lime and mint built on a base of Bacardi Superior rum. A ready-to-enjoy version of one of the world’s most popular cocktails.
Serving Suggestion: Pour over crushed ice and garnish with fresh mint and a slice of lime for extra aroma.
Country of Origin: Cuba
Pina Colada Cream
Aroma: Exotic notes of ripe pineapple complemented by smooth coconut sweetness.
Palate: Creamy, harmonious, and full-bodied, balancing tropical fruit flavors with gentle sweetness. Coconut, pineapple, and cream come together in one glass.
Serving Suggestion: Serve chilled over ice as a standalone drink or use as a base for tropical cocktails and desserts.
Country of Origin: Germany.
Summer is not only about sunshine and warm weather. It is also about having the right drink at the right moment. Rosé season is already in full swing, the shelves are filled with exciting discoveries, and there is always a reason to get together with friends. Light aperitifs, fruity liqueurs, and ready-to-enjoy cocktails each bring their own character and mood. All that is left is to choose the one that suits you best.
Summer drinks do not require elaborate rituals. A chilled glass, good company, and a little sunshine are all you need for the perfect evening. Start the season with something that brings you pleasure.
If you are planning a trip abroad, it is the perfect opportunity to stock your home bar with quality spirits at attractive duty-free prices. To save time on your journey, use the pre-order service on the MyDutyFree website or app. Simply select your border crossing point, browse the catalog of your chosen store, enter your travel date, and create a pre-order with discounts starting from 5%. On the day of your trip, all selected items will be waiting for you at the checkout.
Start the season with something that brings you pleasure.
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