Your Favorite Summer Cocktail, According to Your Zodiac Sign
Updated: Oct. 01, 2023
Before you place your order, find out which drink suits you best astrologically. Trust us: It will be your new fave this summer!
Raise a glass to summer!
It doesn’t matter how old you are—summer is a reason to celebrate. Sure, you may not have the whole summer off anymore, but on the bright side, now you’re old enough to have an adult beverage and a different kind of fun. But before you place your order at the bar and make a toast, you might want to consult the stars for the perfect cocktail. Just like your zodiac sign influences your favorite snack and your favorite candy, it also plays a role in which drinks you prefer.
“Using your zodiac sign to determine your summer cocktail is a great way to create a customized drink that fits your celestial energy,” says astrologer and tarot-card reader Liz Simmons. This drink will suit your style, meshing with your innate astrological traits and helping you find the go-to you’ll order again and again.
Crowd-pleasers for a night out
While each sign has an individual preference, the biggest consideration is your zodiac element, says Simmons. Fire signs, for example, gravitate toward a spicy cocktail with a little extra kick, so you might want to order a pitcher of spicy margaritas for your Aries, Leo and Sagittarius friends. Water signs, on the other hand, prefer something lighter and more refreshing, like white sangria, while earth signs lean toward simple and classic cocktails, since it’s in their fuss-free nature to stick to the basics. As for the air signs, they’ll probably do their own thing instead of ordering as a group. (Looking at you, Libra, Aquarius and Gemini!)
Here’s what you should sip for the perfect addition to your summer fun. And hey, who knows—when placing your order, you might find your zodiac soul mate who loves the same thing and embark on a whirlwind summer romance. (Yes, that’s in the stars for the season too!)
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Aries (March 21–April 19): Bloody Maria
Aries is one of the most adventurous and ambitious signs of the zodiac, always taking the lead, trying new things and leveling up. They’ll be the first to book a trip to that trendy new vacation destination—and also the first to engage in a daredevil activity once there. So it should come as no surprise that they’re drawn to cocktails with a little extra oomph. A Bloody Maria fits the bill. Never heard of it? It’s like a Bloody Mary … but made with tequila instead of vodka.
“Bloody Marias are an earthy spin on the classic Bloody Mary, and Aries will surely like the kick of this drink,” says Simmons of this tomato-based beverage with Tabasco sauce, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, pepper and—yep—the all-important tequila. This fire sign will also love the fact that this drink has a creative twist and that they’re leading fellow imbibers down a new path by introducing them to this cocktail. Mix up your own batch for brunch, or make things easy and purchase a premade mix.
Taurus (April 20–May 20): Gin and Lime Gimlet
“Taurus is loyal, reliable and extremely routine-oriented,” says Patti Woods, an astrology enthusiast, tarot reader and founder of The Boozy Tarot. People born under this earth sign are all about staying grounded, and while they’re occasionally willing to order something new, they’re happiest with tried-and-true classics.
That’s why Woods recommends a well-known, upscale cocktail like a gin and lime gimlet. This old-school drink features three simple and reliable ingredients: lime, simple syrup and gin. It’s also ultra-refreshing in the summertime, something that comfort-focused bulls will particularly appreciate.
Gemini (May 21–June 20): Long Island Iced Tea
Represented by the celestial twins, this zodiac sign is known for having contrasting personality traits. They swing between being the life of the party and being serious and calm, and because of that, their perfect drink should represent both their sides. “Geminis need a fun drink that captures their multifaceted personality,” says Simmons.
A Long Island Iced Tea does just that. It seems like a chill drink—a classic iced tea—but its “fun” sneaks up on you, since it’s packed with vodka, tequila, rum, gin and triple sec. Just careful when you drink it, because, well, look at that ingredient list! Slow down your sipping by sharing these hilarious (and incredibly relatable) zodiac memes with your buds.
Cancer (June 21–July 22): Mojito
Cancers value their friends and family the most, so they tend to dedicate their summers to making memories with loved ones. And they want to make things fun so everyone has a good time, often serving as the hosts of the party or the “cruise director” of the group.
As for a cocktail that will help them feel astrologically aligned, Simmons suggests a mojito. “The mojito is sweet and herbaceous, which complements Cancer’s nurturing yet fun personality,” she explains. This cocktail features a blend of white rum and lime juice, soda water and mint, along with a touch of sugar for a sweet finish.
Leo (July 23–Aug. 22): Spicy Paloma
Leo needs a spicy cocktail to match its fiery personality, and also something that says “Look at me!” (Hey, it’s Leo we’re taking about!) With a refreshing twist on a margarita featuring tequila, lime and grapefruit juice, a spicy Paloma will be a hit for lions, who love being the center of attention. “The Paloma is a classic yet refreshing cocktail,” says Simmons, “but a spicy kick can be achieved by infusing the tequila with chilis.” It will definitely be the most impressive drink on the bar tab.
Virgo (Aug. 23–Sept. 22): The Bee’s Knees
Virgos are practical and meticulous, and they will always show up for their friends. This summer, the zodiac’s most reliable besties will most enjoy something simple yet timeless, just like them! According to Simmons, that’s the refreshing Bee’s Knees cocktail, a Prohibition-era beverage with a gin base. “The Bee’s Knees is a honeyed, slightly citrusy drink that captures Virgo’s desire for simplicity and taste,” she says.
To make this classic cocktail, combine freshly squeezed lemon juice with honey syrup and a shot of gin. You don’t need to dress the cocktail up too much—just add a lemon wedge to the drink rim and you’re good to go. That’s extra perfect for Virgos, given their love of simplicity.
Libra (Sept. 23–Oct. 22): Cosmopolitan
With their naturally chic style and innate charisma, Libras are the social butterflies of the zodiac, and they love an Instagramable moment to charm friends and followers. What better way to celebrate those warm summer nights out with friends and capture the essence of the season than with a Cosmo? A trendy drink once upon a time, it still maintains its effortless charm and appeal, not to mention embodying a showstopping flavor.
To make a Cosmo, combine Cointreau, lime juice and cranberry juice with a shot of vodka. Don’t forget to garnish it with a lime, raise your glass and smile for the photo!
Scorpio (Oct. 23–Nov. 21): Dark and Stormy
Scorpios have an innate sense of mystery about them. They have high ambitions, singular focus and a solo mindset, and they tend to keep to themselves. They also often come across as brooding. However, that “brooding” is really a desire to delve deeper into things and make more meaningful and aligned connections.
With that in mind, we can’t think of a more fitting cocktail for summer (or any other season) than the Dark and Stormy. “Like its name, Scorpio can relate to this complex, full-bodied drink that seems just as mysterious as they are,” Simmons says. The dark rum–based cocktail also includes ginger beer and lime for a tangy yet spicy taste, and you can add a splash of bitters to add even more complexity and depth.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22–Dec. 21): Spicy Michelada
With a true lust for life, people born under this sign love pushing themselves out of their comfort zones. This summer, you’ll probably find them trying every adventurous activity they can find, including surfing, kayaking and ziplining, not to mention traveling to exotic locales with their besties. Simmons says the fire sign pairs perfectly with a spicy cocktail, much like Leo and Aries, and they’ll fall head over heels for a spicy Michelada.
This beer-based cocktail combines a refreshing and light beer (Sagittarius’s choice!) with tomato juice, fresh lime juice, Worcestershire, chili powder and hot sauce. It’s sort of like a Bloody Mary, only with a crisp, refreshing edge to it, thanks to the beer. Cheers to that!
Capricorn (Dec. 22–Jan. 19): Negroni
Capricorns are the zodiac’s overachievers, so they’ll prefer a cocktail that is not only impressive but also slightly complicated (but not so complicated that it would conflict with their love of practicality). Enter the Negroni. “Capricorn will appreciate a Negroni for its complex flavor profile and prestigious presence at the bar,” says Simmons. The gin, vermouth rosso and Campari cocktail captures Capricorn’s traditional side perfectly while amplifying their reputation—something this earth sign cares deeply about.
Aquarius (Jan. 20–Feb. 18): Aviation
When it comes to choosing a summer cocktail, Aquarius might have a hard time deciding because they tend to want something cool and unique. Instead of a classic drink, Simmons says they should opt for something more innovative, such as an Aviation, a cocktail from the early 1900s that isn’t all that well known but was incredibly popular back in the day (and is still appreciated by cocktail connoisseurs). “It’s not as well known as a gimlet, so Aquarius will feel special ordering this drink,” says Simmons. And they’ll definitely love explaining its history to their friends at the bar.
So what’s in an Aviation, exactly? It features a gin base with maraschino liqueur, fresh lemon juice and créme de violette. This ultra-chic cocktail also features a stunning purple hue that will completely enrapture Aquarius, who also happens to be the rarest sign in the zodiac.
Pisces (Feb. 19–March 20): Piña Colada
Dreamy and creative, Pisces people love romanticizing the spirit of summer. The piña colada, of course, is the ultimate vacation drink (for getting caught in the rain and more) and can mentally transport Pisces to a tropical setting with palm trees, a warm breeze and complete relaxation. Basically, this drink is just as dreamy as they are, says Simmons. And when they sip their slushy coconut-and-pineapple concoction, they’ll feel nostalgic for summer before it’s even over!
About the experts
- Liz Simmons is an astrologer, tarot reader and writer. She blends traditional Hellenistic and modern astrological techniques that draw upon the tropical zodiac and Whole House system. She also has a background in psychology.
- Patti Woods is a tarot reader, astrology enthusiast and founder of the private Facebook group The Boozy Tarot. She is also a tarot teacher.
Originally Published: July 27, 2023
