Summer Surf Cocktail recipe
Rating
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Summer Surf is a bright, easygoing highball that sits firmly in the modern “tropical cooler” family—built for simplicity, sunshine, and crowd-pleasing flavour. Rather than leaning on a long, documented backstory, you’ll find it channels the late-20th-century wave of coconut-rum and fruit-schnapps drinks that prioritise breezy sweetness and effortless sipping. It’s the kind of cocktail that feels right at home wherever you’d order something tall, fizzy, and unapologetically summery.
With coconut rum as the base, you get a smooth, sweet coconut backbone that reads instantly beachy. Peach schnapps layers in a soft, candy-like stone-fruit sweetness, while the lemon-lime soda lifts everything with bright citrus fizz and a clean, refreshing finish. The lime wedge adds a final squeeze of sharpness that tightens the sweetness and keeps the drink tasting light rather than heavy.
Serve it when you want maximum refreshment with minimal intensity—think poolside afternoons, barbecues, or casual get-togethers. If you enjoy sweeter, fruit-forward drinks with plenty of sparkle, this one lands perfectly, especially for guests who prefer their cocktails tall, friendly, and easy to drink.
Microbadges
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Cocktail Colin says:
Coconut rum leads with creamy tropical sweetness, while peach schnapps adds a ripe, candy-like stone-fruit note; lemon-lime soda lifts everything into a fizzy citrus sparkle, and the lime wedge sharpens the finish with a fresh squeeze. It works because the soda’s brightness and lime’s acidity keep the coconut and peach from feeling heavy, making it ideal for easy sipping and anyone who likes sweet, bubbly tropical drinks.
Method
How to make a Summer Surf
- Coconut rum 30ml, Peach schnapps 15ml, Lemon-lime soda Top up, Lime Wedge
-
- Pour the rum and the peach schnapps into a highball glass with ice
-
- Top up with Sprite
-
- Squeeze the juice from the wedge of lime into the glass then drop it in
-
- Stir and serve
Power tips
Elevate the Summer Surf with these master mixologist tips
Upgrade to premium
And receive world class tips on how to raise your cocktails to the next level.
Find out more- Upgrade to premium to receive power tips from top bartenders around the world. Raise you mixology game.
- Read the tweaks that take this simple cocktail to the next level of greatness. Become the next best mixologist which people all talk about.
Your private tasting notes
Featured in
FAQ's
Can I use any other type of rum instead of coconut rum in the Summer Surf cocktail?
Yes, you can use another type of rum, but it will alter the flavor profile significantly. Coconut rum adds a unique tropical sweetness, so replacing it with a different rum may result in a less fruity and more robust taste. If you prefer another rum, consider adding a coconut-flavored syrup or other tropical elements to retain the intended tropical character.
What are some good garnishes for a Summer Surf cocktail?
A lime wedge is a traditional garnish for the Summer Surf cocktail, but you can also add a slice of fresh peach to enhance the fruity elements. A sprig of mint can also be a nice touch, adding a hint of freshness and a pop of green for visual appeal.
What is the best way to serve a Summer Surf cocktail?
The Summer Surf is traditionally served in a highball glass filled with ice. Make sure to stir the ingredients well to combine the flavors thoroughly before adding the lime wedge garnish. This drink is best enjoyed cold, so ensure that your ingredients and glassware are chilled before serving.
What kinds of food pair well with the Summer Surf cocktail?
The Summer Surf cocktail pairs well with light and tropical dishes such as shrimp ceviche, grilled pineapple skewers, and coconut shrimp. Salads with citrus dressings and tropical fruit platters also complement the cocktail's refreshing and fruity flavors.
When is the best time to enjoy a Summer Surf cocktail?
The Summer Surf cocktail is perfect for warm weather and outdoor gatherings. It's an ideal choice for summer barbecues, beach parties, and poolside lounging. Its refreshing and tropical profile makes it a great drink to enjoy during the warmer months when you're looking to cool off and relax.
Upgrade your mixology
Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.
- Save your bar forever
- Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
- Access to Cocktail Colin; ask Cocktail Colin anything on an individual cocktail and he'll give you the answers you need.
- Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
- Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
- Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
- Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
- A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
- And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
Have you tried our Wordpress Plugin?
Download our plugin and embed cocktail recipes directly onto your own site or blog.
Choose from our whole recipe database, or choose a specific cocktail made with a certain ingredient, and let us place a beautiful recipe on your own site.
Find out moreYou might also like
Dive into this fruity rum drink that's pure bliss.
Bahama Mama
Coconut rum, Dark rum, White rum, Banana liqueur (crème de banane), Lime juice, Pineapple juice, Orange juice, Grenadine
Try this tropical mix of coconut and citrus
Caribbean Sex on the Beach
Coconut rum, Vodka, Spiced rum, Orange juice, Cranberry juice, Grenadine
Try this energizing twist of coconut and grenadine magic
Serve & Volley Sour
Coconut rum, Lime juice, Grenadine
Key West Cooler
Coconut rum, Vodka, Peach schnapps, Melon liqueur, Orange juice, Cranberry juice
Create a cocktail
Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.
Register as a Premium Make Me a Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.
Start creatingBuild your bar
Tell us what you have at home and we’ll find a delicious cocktail for you to make right now.
Register as a Make Me a Cocktail community member and we’ll save your ingredients list so you can come back to it at any time.
Create My Bar
Cocktail Colin
Your cocktail expert
Hi! I'm Cocktail Colin
Ask me anything about this cocktail - how to make it, substitutions, variations, or any other questions!
Become a member to access Cocktail Colin
Become a member (for free) to pick Cocktail Colin's cocktail filled brain on everything on this cocktail, from substitutions, if you can use what you have, to serving suggestions and more.
Become a member
Comments