As Floridians, we know that the scariest thing at the beach isn’t a shark, it’s an empty cooler. Nevertheless, summer isn’t summer without Shark Week, America’s favorite week of non-stop shark-themed programming.
Shark Week is airing from July 26th to August 1st in 2026, and we’ve been surfing the fin-ternet for the best drinks to serve at our Shark Week watch parties this year. Keep scrolling for 8 jaw-some summer cocktails that are perfect for Shark Week sipping.
Oh, you thought we wouldn’t start this list with a Bloody Mary? And you thought we wouldn’t feature a vodka that literally has “shark” in its name?? You underestimate the power of the shark side.
Shark Week is the perfect time to build the Bloody Mary bar of your dreams. We’re talking glasses stacked to the ceiling with bacon, stuffed olives, celery, pickles, peppers, shrimp skewers, cheese cubes, deli meats and everything but the kitchen sink. Go ahead; chow down like the sharks do.
The Recipe
2 ounces Blue Shark Vodka
4 ounces tomato juice
1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
2 dashes of hot sauce
2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
Pinch of celery salt
Ground black pepper
Celery stalk
In a cocktail shaker with ice, add vodka and tomato juice. Shake and pour into a tall glass. Add hot sauce, Worcestershire, celery salt and black pepper. Stir gently to combine. Garnish with a lime wedge, lemon wedge, celery stalk and any other desired garnishes.
You know how the old saying goes: “If it ain’t rimmed with Tajín, I’m gonna scream.” Wait, no...it’s, “If the rim ain’t spiced, it’s no dice.” Something like that.
What we mean to say is that we REALLY like spicy drinks. If you like your cocktail with an extra kick too, dive into this refreshing vodka-rita with a hint of sweet heat.
2 ounces Tito’s Handmade Vodka
½ ounce Villa Cardea Orange Liqueur
2 ounces lime juice
¼ ounce agave nectar
4 jalapeño slices
Rim a glass with Tajin and set aside. Muddle jalapeño slices in a cocktail shaker. Add ice, vodka, orange liqueur, lime juice and agave nectar. Shake and strain into the prepared glass over ice. Garnish with a lime wedge.
This spicy watermelon tequila spritz is for the sophisticated Shark Week watchers out there. Top it off with Octopoda Prosecco to keep the aquatic animal theme going (and also try a new, delicious sparkling wine at a jaw-dropping price).
1 ½ ounces fresh lime juice
1 ounce simple syrup
2 cubes watermelon
1 jalapeño slice
Watermelon slice
Rim a wine glass with Tajin. Set aside. Add tequila, lime juice, simple syrup, watermelon cubes and jalapeño slice to a cocktail shaker. Muddle. Add ice and shake until well combined. Strain into the prepared glass over ice. Top with Prosecco and garnish with a watermelon slice.
You’ve already busted out the barbeque rub for summertime grill season, so why not rim your cocktail with it, too? If you’re chomping on a rack of ribs like a Great White devours a school of salmon, then this sweet and spicy bourbon cocktail is the perfect pairing.
The Recipe
Spicy barbeque rub
1 ½ ounces Four Roses Small Batch Kentucky Bourbon
½ ounce lime juice
2 strawberries
2-3 jalapeño slices
3 ounces ginger beer
Rim a glass with spicy barbeque rub. Add bourbon, lime juice, strawberries and jalapeños to the glass. Muddle. Add ice and top with ginger beer. Stir to combine. Garnish with a lime wheel.
We’ve got spicy margaritas, spicy palomas, Bloody Marias...but what about a spicy gin and tonic? Spice-loving gin drinkers, your time has come. Just add a little hot agave syrup to your next G&T and garnish with a chili pepper to give it the kick you’ve been craving.
The Recipe
2 ounces Beefeater London Dry Gin
6 ounces tonic water
½ ounce hot agave syrup
Chili pepper
Pour gin, tonic water and agave syrup into a tall glass over ice. Stir to combine. Squeeze a lime wedge over the top. Garnish with the lime wedge and a whole chili pepper.
The Bloody Mary is a staple brunch cocktail, but the real ones know that the Michelada is where it’s at. This beloved Mexican cocktail is like if a Bloody Mary and a shandy had a beautifully spicy, umami baby. Give it a try and feel just a bit closer to the sharks onscreen swimming around in the Gulf.
The Recipe
½ ounce hot sauce
Pinch ground black pepper
Pinch of salt
2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
8-10 ounces Modelo Especial
Rim a glass with Tajin. Add tequila, hot sauce, lime, pepper, salt and Worcestershire to the glass and stir. Add beer and stir lightly. Top with ice.
We can’t forget about the spicy condiment du jour, hot honey. If you put it on pizza, wings and charcuterie, why not add it to a cocktail, too? Add a squeeze to your next Old Fashioned — you might not enjoy this classic cocktail the same ever again.
The Recipe
¼ - ½ ounce hot honey
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Combine bourbon, hot honey and bitters in a mixing glass. Strain into a rocks glass over ice. Express the orange peel over the rim and garnish.
Not into muddling? Don’t even own a muddler? Don’t even know what a muddler is?
We see you. Infuse your drink with the right amount of spice with Absolut Tabasco Chili Pepper Vodka, no extra work required. This spicy lemonade couldn’t be simpler to make; just pour, stir and enjoy the sharks.
The Recipe
Cajun spice
4 ounces lemonade
Rim a highball glass with Cajun seasoning. Fill the glass with fresh ice and add vodka. Top with lemonade. Garnish with a lemon wheel.
Love a themed cocktail? Oo, we like you. Come sit by us.
Check out our full collection of cocktail recipes below, from simple to showstopping and sweet to spicy.
