S is for Switchels and Spritzers, both of which are superb! Though too many spritzers might leave you sluggish and seeking a snooze. Check out this list of 25 drinks beginning with the letter S to find one that sounds stunning!
Drinks That Start With S – Alphabetized
Your handy alphabetized list for quick reference:
Alcoholic Drinks:
- Salty Dog
- Sangria
- Sapphire Martini
- Scarlett O’Hara
- Scotch Sour
- Sea Breeze
- Shandy
- Sidecar
- Silver Bullet
- Singapore Sling
- Snakebite
- Snowball
- Southside
- Spritzer
Non-Alcoholic Drinks:
- Sage Lemonade
- Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate
- Saskatoon Berry Smoothie
- Seltzer
- Sesame Horchata
- Shikanji (Indian Lemonade)
- Spiced Apple Cider
- Sprite
- Strawberry Lemonade
- Sugarcane Juice
- Switchel
Drinks That Start With S – Listed with Pictures and Facts
Alcoholic Drinks:
Salty Dog
The Salty Dog is much friendlier than its name suggests. This classic cocktail is a twist on the Greyhound, which mixes gin or vodka with grapefruit juice. What sets the Salty Dog apart is its salted rim, giving the drink a unique flavor and personality all its own. The Greyhound cocktail has been around since at least 1930. Originally made with gin, grapefruit juice, and ice, it has stayed mostly the same over the years, though many people now prefer vodka instead of gin. While salt is often thought of as just a seasoning for food, it plays an important role in cocktails too. When added to the rim of a glass or mixed into drinks like the Salty Dog, Margarita, or Paloma, salt enhances the flavors and helps tie everything together.
Sangria
Sangria is a fruity alcoholic drink that comes from Spain and Portugal. It’s a type of punch made with wine, mixed with chopped fruit, and sometimes includes other ingredients or spirits to add flavor. In Latin America, a popular version of this type of beverage is called Clericó. Sangria is a favorite drink among tourists visiting Spain, even though locals don’t drink it as often. It’s regularly served at bars, restaurants, beachside spots, and festivals across Spain and Portugal.
Sapphire Martini
The sapphire martini is a fun twist on the classic gin martini, adding a burst of orange flavor and a bright blue color. It’s a great way to change up your usual drink, and the vibrant color makes it a perfect choice for any special occasion. The sapphire martini gets its blue color from blue curaçao, a sweet, orange-flavored liqueur. Similar to the diamond martini, this cocktail is unique because both the gin and the cocktail glass are chilled beforehand, and no ice is used when mixing. Since gin doesn’t actually freeze, you just need to put the bottle in the freezer for a while until it’s really cold.
Scarlett O’Hara
The Scarlett O’Hara cocktail, named after the charming Southern belle from “Gone With the Wind,” is as sweet and elegant as its inspiration. This refreshing drink combines Southern Comfort, a fruity liqueur with hints of apricot, with tart cranberry and lime juices for a perfectly balanced flavor. The Scarlett O’Hara cocktail was first made around the time the 1939 movie came out and remained a favorite for many years, though it’s less popular today. You can adjust the cranberry juice to make the drink as light or strong as you want, and tweak the lime juice to add just the right amount of tartness to balance the fruity flavor.
Scotch Sour
The Scotch Sour is a classic cocktail that has been enjoyed since the early 1900s. It’s a twist on the Whiskey Sour, a drink that first became popular in the 1860s. Loved by whiskey fans, the Scotch Sour highlights the unique and bold flavors of Scotch whisky. The Scotch Sour is a classic cocktail with roots in Scotland, the home of Scotch whisky. It became especially popular in the United States during Prohibition when Scotch whisky was smuggled in. This cocktail is a year-round favorite but is often enjoyed more in the colder months. Its flavor is rich and balanced, combining the smoky, peaty notes of Scotch whisky with the tartness of lemon juice and a hint of sweetness from simple syrup. The result is a bold, slightly sweet drink with a smooth, velvety finish.
Sea Breeze
A sea breeze is a vodka-based cocktail mixed with cranberry juice and grapefruit juice, making it a refreshing choice, especially during the summer. The drink can be shaken to create a light foam on top and is recognized as an IBA Official Cocktail. Like many classic cocktails, it balances alcohol with the sweet, sour, and fruity flavors of the juices. A variation called the bay breeze, or Hawaiian sea breeze, swaps the grapefruit juice for pineapple juice.
Shandy
A British shandy is a refreshing beer cocktail that’s popular in the UK, Europe, and beyond. Traditionally, it’s made by mixing beer and lemon soda, usually in a 50/50 ratio, though you can adjust it to your taste by adding more beer or soda. In France, it’s called a panaché, and in Germany, it’s known as a Radler. No matter where you are, it’s a light and easy drink to enjoy!
Sidecar
The Sidecar is one of the most iconic classic cognac cocktails, with a history that spans over 100 years. This tangy, dry drink is made with cognac, orange liqueur, and fresh lemon juice, served with a sugared rim for a touch of sweetness. It’s actually a spin-off of the Brandy Crusta, an old New Orleans cocktail that has recently made a comeback. Even after all these years, the Sidecar remains a favorite for cocktail lovers everywhere. The drink’s name comes from the leftover mix in the shaker, which is often poured into a shot glass and served on the side—this extra little bonus is called a sidecar. While it’s not a must to include a small shot with your Sidecar cocktail, it’s a fun way to impress your guests and share the story behind the drink’s name.
Silver Bullet
The Silver Bullet cocktail dates back to the 1930s during Prohibition in the United States. Popular in hidden speakeasies, it combined gin and lemon juice to mask the rough taste of bootleg alcohol. Its name comes from the legendary silver bullet, said to be the only thing that could kill a werewolf. This drink is ideal for anyone who loves a crisp, citrusy cocktail with a touch of elegance. The mix of gin and lemon juice gives it a bright, tangy flavor, while a bit of simple syrup adds just enough sweetness to balance out the tartness.
Singapore Sling
The Singapore Sling is a gin-based cocktail that originated in Singapore. It was reportedly created in 1915 by Ngiam Tong Boon, a bartender at the Long Bar in the Raffles Hotel. The exact recipe for the drink is unclear because it was lost in the 1930s when the hotel stopped serving it. Over time, many different versions of the recipe have been published, with no two being exactly the same. The Long Bar at Raffles Hotel serves between 800 and 1,200 Singapore Slings daily, making it their most popular drink. In fact, the cocktail brings in 70% of the bar’s total revenue and generates about S$15 million in sales each year.
Snakebite
A snake bite beer is a simple drink made by mixing equal parts of hard apple cider and beer. It’s usually served in a pint glass without ice, much like other classic beer cocktails. The snakebite drink originated in the United Kingdom and became a hit in pubs during the 1980s, remaining popular today, especially among younger drinkers. The taste of this drink can vary depending on your preference for sweetness—it might seem balanced, sweet, or even a bit too sweet. The strong apple flavor of the cider gets toned down in the mix. With the lager version, the extra bubbles make it taste crisp and refreshing. The Guinness version, on the other hand, has a richer, more refined flavor, with the roasted barley adding a slight bitterness that makes it feel more sophisticated than plain cider.
Snowball
This cocktail is a British favorite that dates back to the 1940s, a time when brandy was all the rage. Early versions included a splash of brandy to add a festive, Christmas pudding-like twist and balance out the sweetness. Traditionally made with advocaat, lime juice, and lemonade, it offered a creamy yet zesty flavor. By the 1970s, though, the brandy was dropped, making the drink even sweeter—almost like a dessert in a glass! If you’re wondering what “advocaat” is, you’re not alone. This creamy drink isn’t very common, but it’s a star around Christmas. Often called “Dutch eggnog,” it’s a rich, custard-like liqueur made from eggs, sugar, and a neutral spirit—usually brandy.
Southside
The South Side is a classic cocktail with a refreshing mix of gin, citrus, sugar, and mint, but its exact origins are a bit of a mystery. Some say it’s like a Gimlet with mint served in a cocktail glass, while others compare it to a gin-based Mint Julep poured over ice. The South Side cocktail dates back to 1916, when it was featured in Hugo Enslinn’s book “Recipes for Mixed Drinks” as the South Side Fizz. That version included gin, lemon juice, lime juice, sugar, mint, and club soda. Over time, the recipe changed—dropping the soda and one of the citrus fruits—creating the classic South Side we know today.
Spritzer
A spritzer is a refreshing, chilled drink typically made with white wine and carbonated water or sparkling mineral water. The word “spritzer” comes from Austria, where the drink is very popular, and is linked to the German word “spritzen,” which means “to squirt.” In Austria and some parts of Germany, it’s also called “Gespritzter” or “G’spritzter,” while most of Germany uses the term “Schorle.” Variations include mixing fizzy lemonade instead of soda water for a sweeter version, known as “Süssgespritzter.” In Hungary, a spritzer, known as fröccs, is a hugely popular drink with many variations based on the mix of wine and carbonated water or other added liquids. Some common types include Kisfröccs (short spritzer), made with equal parts wine and soda water; Nagyfröccs (full spritzer), with 2 parts wine and 1 part soda; and Hosszúlépés (long step), with 1 part wine and 2 parts soda. There’s even the bold Krúdy-fröccs, featuring 9 parts wine and just 1 part soda!
Non-Alcoholic Drinks
Sage Lemonade
Sage and lemon might seem like an odd combo for a drink, but they come together perfectly to create a super refreshing and tasty mocktail. It’s really easy to make and works great if you’re making a big batch for a party or group. The flavor feels like that in-between time when winter is fading, and spring is just starting to show up. It’s a great choice for anyone who doesn’t drink alcohol but still wants something unique and special to enjoy. To make this refreshing drink, start with 1 cup of granulated sugar and 3/4 cup of filtered water dissolved together over heat. Add in 1/2 cup of sage leaves, but keep a few extra for the drink and garnish. For each drink, you’ll need 1 ounce of fresh lemon juice, a strip of lemon peel, 2 dashes of cocktail bitters, and 3–4 ounces of plain sparkling water. You can also add lemon slices as an optional garnish for a bright, citrusy touch.
Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate
Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate is my absolute favorite Starbucks drink—maybe not the healthiest but its okay for a treat here and there! The good news? You can easily make it at home! Just heat up 1 cup of milk, 4 ounces of chopped bittersweet chocolate, and 2 tablespoons of salted caramel sauce in a saucepan. Stir until it all melts together and starts to simmer, then pour it into a mug. Top it off with whipped cream and a little more caramel sauce, and enjoy your own cozy, homemade version of this holiday treat!
Saskatoon Berry Smoothie
If you haven’t tried Saskatoon berries yet, you’re seriously missing out. They’re so much better than blueberries! They’re sweet, flavorful, and absolutely delicious. If you like banana and blueberry smoothies with yogurt, you’re going to love this even more. Saskatoon berries take it to the next level, trust me. Here’s a simple recipe: blend 1 cup of milk, 1 cup of Greek yogurt (or another cup of milk if you’re skipping the yogurt), 2 tablespoons of honey, 1 1/2 cups of Saskatoon berries, and 1 banana. Blend it all until smooth, and enjoy right away!
Seltzer
Club soda, seltzer, sparkling water, and tonic water are all different types of carbonated water, but they aren’t exactly the same. The way they’re made and the ingredients added give each one a unique taste and texture, which is why people tend to have their favorites. Seltzer is carbonated water, much like club soda, and can be used as a substitute in cocktail mixers. Unlike club soda, seltzer usually doesn’t have added minerals, so its taste is often simpler, though this can vary by brand. It originally came from Germany, where naturally carbonated water was bottled and sold, before becoming popular in the United States.
Sesame Horchata
Everyone’s talking about oat milk, but have you tried Sesame Seed Milk (Horchata de Ajonjolí)? This creamy, nutty plant-based milk is super easy to make and a great recipe to keep on hand. It uses simple pantry staples, so you’ll always have the ingredients ready to go. Horchata de ajonjolí is a tasty Puerto Rican drink made from toasted sesame seeds that are soaked and blended. Puerto Rico is a tropical island that can get pretty hot, so this refreshing drink is a perfect way to cool off. It has a creamy flavor that’s a bit like peanut butter, but even better. You can add it to your coffee, tea, or smoothies for a delicious twist.
Shikanji (Indian Lemonade)
This Indian spiced lemonade is sweet, tangy, and super refreshing! If you love regular lemonade or think pink lemonade is fun, wait until you try Shikanji—it’s on a whole other level. Made with a mix of sugar, salt, and spices, it not only quenches your thirst but also helps rehydrate and adds a bold burst of flavor. Popular in North India, this flavorful twist on traditional lemonade is sure to become your new favorite. Shikanji recipes vary depending on where you’re from or who’s making it, but it’s the perfect drink anywhere for hot summer days.
Spiced Apple Cider
Warm, sweet spiced apple cider is a fall favorite. It’s quick to make, uses easy-to-find ingredients. This cozy drink is perfect for holidays, chilly days, or celebrating apple season. And the best part? You only need 4 ingredients, 1 pot, and about 20 minutes. Here’s how: combine 1 quart of unsweetened apple juice or cider, 3 cinnamon sticks, 2 whole cloves (or a tiny pinch of ground cloves), and 2 strips of orange peel in a large pot. Bring it to a simmer over medium-high heat, then lower the heat, cover, and let it cook for 15 minutes to blend the flavors. Serve it warm as is, or add a splash of bourbon for a boozy twist! If you’re hosting, keep it warm in a slow cooker or on low heat on the stove. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to a week or frozen in ice cube trays for later.
Sprite
Sprite is a clear, refreshing, traditionally lemon-lime flavored soda made by the Coca-Cola Company. It comes in other flavors like cranberry, cherry, grape, orange, tropical, ginger, vanilla, peach, and even artificial sweetener versions like Ice and Berryclear Remix. Originally created to compete with 7 Up, Sprite is known for its crisp, clean taste and zesty flavor. The fizzy carbonation adds a bubbly burst that makes it extra refreshing and enjoyable.
Strawberry Lemonade
Making homemade strawberry lemonade is easy and only needs a few simple ingredients! Start by hulling ½ pound of strawberries and blending them in a food processor until smooth. Strain the puree to remove the seeds if you prefer. Next, juice 6-8 medium lemons (enough to get about 1 ½ cups of juice) and strain the juice into a pitcher. For the sweetness, make a simple syrup by heating 2 cups of water and granulated sugar in a saucepan until the sugar dissolves, then let it cool. Finally, combine the lemon juice, strawberry puree, and simple syrup in the pitcher, stir well, and chill. Adjust the water to get your perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess. Enjoy!
Sugarcane Juice
Sugarcane juice is a sweet drink made by pressing sugarcane through a mill. It’s a popular beverage in regions where sugarcane is widely grown, like Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, North Africa (especially Egypt), and South America. This refreshing juice is not only enjoyed on its own but is also an important ingredient in making rum. Known for its sweet taste with a hint of grassiness, it’s naturally high in sugar. Some people like to drink it plain, while others mix in lime or other fruits to boost the flavor.
Switchel
Switchel, also known as switzel, swizzle, switchy, ginger-water, or haymaker’s punch, is a refreshing drink with a long history. It’s made by mixing water with vinegar, adding ginger for flavor, and sweetening it with molasses, though other sweeteners like honey, sugar, brown sugar, or maple syrup can be used. In Vermont, people sometimes added oatmeal and lemon juice for an extra twist. It was a favorite of colonial farmers who sipped it while working under the hot sun. It might sound unusual, but it’s actually pretty similar to lemonade—both are sweet and acidic. Served cold over ice, switchel is the perfect thirst-quencher with its bold, crisp flavor.
More Foods/Drinks!
Yellow foods listed with pictures, facts
Yellow drinks listed with pictures, facts
100 foods that start with the letter A
100 foods that start with the letter B
100 foods that start with the letter C
3-letter foods listed with pictures and facts
4-letter foods listed with pictures and facts
5-letter foods listed with pictures and facts6-letter foods listed with pictures and facts
Leave a Comment