5 Essential Cocktails for May

Each month, Chilled brings you five essential cocktails based on our National Drink Day Calendar. Be sure to bookmark it so you’re always ready for the next spirited celebration.

May is when spring starts to feel like summer (finally!). The sun is shining, the group chats are making plans again, and suddenly everything revolves around being outside. Naturally, what’s in your glass follows suit—brighter, fresher, and just way more fun.

‘Tis the season for patio hangs, weekend brunch that turns into all-day plans, and those golden-hour moments you didn’t plan but end up being the best part of your week.

With Cinco de Mayo bringing the party, the Kentucky Derby serving up timeless classics, and Mother’s Day calling for something a little more thoughtful, there’s no shortage of reasons to pour something good! Consider this your sign to lean into vibrant flavors, refreshing builds, and cocktails that just make sense this time of year.

5/1 International Harry Potter Day

The Expecto Patronum spell may conjure a Patronus, but we promise that the Espresso Patronum will not! This cocktail is a magical twist on the espresso martini, with its invisible look coming from Wheatley Vodka fat-washed with Non-Fiction Coffee, a method that extracts deep coffee flavor while stripping away bitterness and sediment.

5/5 Cinco de Mayo

Bright, citrusy, and made to be shared, the Saguaro Cantarito delivers serious refreshment. With fresh fruit flavors and a bubbly lift, it’s the kind of easy sipper that keeps the celebration going.

5/10 Mother’s Day

Celebrate mom this year with a Malfy Rosa Sorbet Slush—a light, pretty cocktail that blends soft citrus and berry notes into a refreshing, laid-back sip that feels just right for a relaxed Mother’s Day moment.

5/16 World Whisky Day

A fresh take on a familiar favorite. This whisky-spiked spin on the Arnold Palmer balances tea and citrus with smooth depth, making it an easy entry point for warm-weather whiskey sipping.

5/30 Mint Julep Day

Timeless for a reason. Cooling mint, a touch of sweetness, and bourbon come together in this iconic cocktail that’s basically made for slow sipping in the sun. Mix up a classic Mint Julep with the recipe here!

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