9 cocktails that will be everywhere this summer, according to bartenders and mixologists

“Passion fruit is long overdue for a breakout,” Lance Bowman, beverage lead at Chicago-based Italian restaurant Ummo, told Business Insider.

From margaritas to martinis, there are so many uses for this sweet ingredient.

“Passion fruit hits the sweet spot between exotic and approachable. As tropical flavor profiles continue to trend, it’s poised to become the go-to summer fruit behind the bar,” Bowman said.

A clarified cocktail is made by combining a mixed beverage with milk, allowing the milk to curdle, and straining out the solids to achieve a transparent appearance.

Travis Charitan, a mixologist at the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter, expects these cocktails to become bar favorites.

“Clarified cocktails are perfect for the summer because they’re smooth and easy to drink — especially when served over a large ice cube, which keeps it cold without watering it down too quickly,” Charitan told BI.

Charitan told BI the popularity of the Aperol spritz is “opening the door for a broader spritz renaissance.”

He expects the Hugo spritz — a delicate botanical balance of elderflower liqueur, prosecco, seltzer, and mint — to be a hit this summer.

The orange crush typically contains fresh orange juice, orange liqueur, lemon-lime soda, and vodka.

However, Molly Horn, chief mixologist and spirits educator at Total Wine and More, predicts we’ll see the orange crush made with tequila this summer.

“The fresh, bright, ‘bare essentials’ nature of this drink, combined with the clamor around additive-free tequilas that are stripped down to their most authentic characteristics, will make this a natural winner this summer,” Horn said.

Although the dirty martini never really left, Bowman said the classic cocktail is always evolving. He expects the drink to make waves this summer with new ways to customize the classic beverage.

“Bartenders are exploring new dimensions with herb-infused oils, umami-forward ingredients like MSG or mushrooms, and elevated garnishes like Castelvetrano or grilled Middle Eastern olives,” Bowman said.

Alyssa Glueck, lead bartender at Wild Common in Charleston, thinks the paper plane — a cocktail made of equal parts bourbon, Aperol, amaro, and lemon juice — will be popular this summer.

“The paper plane strikes the perfect balance of bitter, sweet, and citrus — ideal for warm-weather sipping,” Glueck said. “It’s bold enough to satisfy bourbon lovers but still refreshing and approachable.”

Bowman expects the michelada — a classic mix of beer, lime, sauces, and spices — to be popular this summer.

There are lots of variations of this spicy Mexican drink, leaving plenty of options for different tastes.

“As more drinkers look for lighter, flavorful options, this drink offers both familiarity and room for innovation,” Bowman told BI.

Margaritas come in tons of different flavors, and, according to the pros, we can expect to see more variations this summer.

Charitan thinks the prickly pear mezcal margarita will be especially popular, thanks to its vibrant pop of color and subtly sweet flavor.

“The prickly pear mezcal margarita blends the earthy smokiness of mezcal with the subtly sweet, melon-like notes of prickly pear, while staying true to the cocktail’s roots in the deserts of Mexico and the American Southwest,” Charitan said. “The result is a strikingly pink, desert-inspired cocktail that is refreshing and visually captivating.”

“The mojito is having a moment, and I would not be surprised to see a lot of bartenders breaking out their muddlers more frequently for this old-school favorite this summer,” Horn told BI.

She also expects to see mojitos made with a tropical twist by adding Chinola passion fruit, mango, or pineapple liqueurs.