Celebrate summer’s last hurrah with these Labor Day cocktails

As summer winds down, Labor Day cocktails are the perfect way to toast the traditional end of summer holiday. Which of these cocktails will fill your glass?

Labor Day cocktails fill the holiday weekend with a sense of merriment. While summer might be coming to a close, the official end of summer doesn’t have to go out with a whimper. Why not toast to all the memories from those long, hot summer days.

Whether you are throwing a large party celebration, backyard barbecue or escaping from the sweltering heat on the couch, a Labor Day cocktail can be a lovely way to toast summertime. Although the holiday is the unofficial end of summer, the actual U.S. holiday celebrates the American labor movement and its contributions to the country’s prosperity. Since many people will have the holiday off from work, why not indulge in a libation and toast to everyone’s hard work.

Here are FoodSided’s top six choices for refreshing Labor Day cocktails.

Strawberry Basil Spritzer, photo provided by Tito’s Handmade Vodka

Strawberry Basil Spritzer

All summer long, everyone has been talking about a spritz cocktail. Maybe it was the bubbles or the color, but this cocktail variety was a popular choice during the long, hot summer. This version, created by Tito’s Handmade Vodka, combines fruit and herbs to create the ultimate refresher.

Strawberry and basil are a delightful combination. The herbaceous basil balances the sweetness of the strawberry. Whether enjoyed with a hearty barbecue rib or as an aperitif, this summer cocktail is perfect on a hot day.

"Strawberry Basil SpritzerIngredients1 oz. strawberry-infused Tito’s Handmade Vodka3 oz. white wine3 oz. sparkling mineral water2-4 basil leavesMethodMuddle Tito’s Handmade Vodka and basil in a glassAdd ice and remaining ingredients"

Sparkling Coconut Rosé Cocktail

Let’s be honest, who hasn’t partaken in Rosé All Day this summer. While a simple glass of rosé is lovely, sometimes you may want a little something more. This particular cocktail adds a little taste of the topics with a coconut soda. Balancing the sweetness with bright lime juice, the cocktail is delightful with a spicy shrimp taco or even some jerk chicken.

Plus, who can resist bubbles at a party? The Smirnoff Spiked Sparkling Seltzer Raspberry Rosé bubbles make even just sitting on the couch more festive. Cheers to the holiday.

"Sparkling Coconut Rosé CocktailIngredients2 oz. coconut soda1 tbsp. fresh lime juice4 oz. Smirnoff Spiked Sparkling Seltzer Raspberry RoséMethod:In a small glass filled with ice, combine the coconut soda, lime juice and Smirnoff Spiked Sparkling Seltzer Raspberry Rosé. Stir gently to combine. Garnish with blueberries, lemons, limes, festive straws and enjoy!"

Angry Party Punch, photo provided by Angry Orchard

Angry Party Punch

Parties and punch go hand in hand. No one wants to be stuck behind the bar mixing drinks when everyone else is in the pool having fun. A punch allows the host to ensure that guests have a cocktail but frees her up to enjoy the party, too.

This punch created by Angry Orchard adds a favorite summer fruit, peaches. The combination of peach and apple creates a flavor profile that is perfect for a backyard barbecue. Smoke some ribs, light the grill or just grab a pool float. This summer punch will keep the festivities going all day long.

"Angry Party PunchIngredients:2 bottles Angry Orchard Crisp Apple6 oz Vodka12 oz Peach Juice12 oz White Wine4.5 oz Lemon Juice3 oz Simple Syrup (1 : 1 Sugar and Water)Method:Build in a large punch bowl and top with Angry Orchard Crisp Apple. Garnish with lemon wheels, strawberry slices and peach slices."

Red, White and Berry Cherry Cocktail

Red, White and Berry Cherry Cocktail, photo provided by SMIRNOFF

Red, white and blue are usually the colors of Labor Day celebrations. Why not continue that colorful theme into your holiday cocktail. This patriotic cocktail incorporates a favorite summer flavor, cherries. Who hasn’t had a cherry pie for dessert at a backyard barbecue?

This particular cocktail has more tart cherry flavor than overly sweet. Maybe instead of serving cherry pie for dessert, you can shake up this cocktail. Cheers to the red, white and blue!

"Red, White and Berry Cherry CocktailIngredients4 oz. tart cherry juice2 tsp. simple syrup4 oz. Smirnoff Ice Red, White & Berry1 oz. Smirnoff No. 21 VodkaMethodIn a large glass filled with ice, add the tart cherry juice, simple syrup, and vodka. Stir gently, then top with the Smirnoff Ice."

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Blueberry Lemon Spritzer

Blueberry and lemon are such a refreshing flavor combination. The sweetness from the blueberries is balanced by the brightness of the lemon. The combination is perfectly refreshing.

In this cocktail, the lemon flavor is a little bit of a pick-me-up in the beverage. Overall, the cocktail is quite light, which makes it perfect for a hot day. While not provided by Tito’s Handmade Vodka, I would even suggest blending the vodka, white wine and ice in a blender to create a slush. Then top that mixture with the sparkling mineral water floater and lemon slices for a frozen version.

"Blueberry Lemon SpritzerIngredients1 oz. blueberry-infused Tito’s Handmade Vodka3 oz. white wine3 oz. sparkling mineral water1-2 lemon slicesMethodAdd all ingredients into a glass over iceSqueeze 1-2 lemon slices and stir"

BACARDÍ Treacle

Sometimes at the end of a party, people crave a slow, leisurely sipper. This particular cocktail from BACARDÍ is a lovely way to end an evening. The aged rum, with its nuanced flavors, makes for a more robust cocktail. Adding in the apple juice and bitters, this cocktail allows you to sit back and reminisce about those summer memories.

"BACARDÍ TreacleIngredients:2.5 parts BACARDÍ Reserva Ocho0.25 parts Sugar syrup1 part Freshly-pressed apple juice2 dashes Orange BittersMethod:Build over ice rocks until perfectly diluted. Float apple juice last. Garnish with an apple slices."

What will you be sipping over the Labor Day weekend? Will any of these Labor Day cocktails make your list? Share a picture of what you’re drinking by tagging #FoodSided on social media.