8 Delicious Summer Salads + Cocktails Straight From Your Garden

From garden to table to cocktail, we’ve got you covered.

By: Allie Holcomb King

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There’s nothing quite like fresh summer produce, especially harvested from your own backyard. But what happens when your garden starts overflowing your kitchen? First, you do a dance because you actually have a green thumb! (Or is that just me?) Then, you get to work turning your harvest into a culinary creation. The best place to start? A crisp, summer salad and a refreshing cocktail. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite recipes, each incorporating a summer garden staple.

Peaches

Tomato Peach Salad

This recipe from Chef Tom Gray of Moxie Kitchen + Cocktails in Jacksonville, Florida combines tomatoes and peaches in a refreshing and colorful summer salad.

Photo by: Image courtesy of Moxie Kitchen + Cocktails

Image courtesy of Moxie Kitchen + Cocktails

Make It: Tomato Peach Salad

Grilled Peach Old Fashioned

Photo by: Image courtesy of Bullfrog and Baum

Image courtesy of Bullfrog and Baum

Make It: Grilled Peach Old Fashioned

Strawberries

Original_Tom-Kat-Studio-Mothers-Day-Strawberry-Salad_v

Make It: Strawberry-Almond Spinach Salad

Strawberry Cocktail

The Yearling cocktail makes delicious use of seasonal strawberries.

Photo by: Image courtesy of King + Duke

Image courtesy of King + Duke

Make It: Strawberry Cocktail

Cucumbers

Cucumber Salad

Cucumbers may not have the summer superstar status of tomatoes, watermelon or corn, but this favorite crop of home gardeners has a versatility and fresh flavor we wouldn’t want to do without. Paired with garden tomatoes, red onions and fresh parsley, this easy-to-make summer salad will be a surefire hit at your next picnic.

Make It: Summer Cucumber Salad

cucumber cocktail

Photo by: Image courtesy of Ocean Prime

Image courtesy of Ocean Prime

Make It: Cucumber Gimlet

Avocados

Spinach Avocado Grapefruit Salad

The tang of grapefruit and the rich combination of avocado and feta make for a memorable summer salad.

Photo by: Image courtesy of Sam Henderson

Image courtesy of Sam Henderson

Make It: Spinach Avocado Grapefruit Salad

Cocktail: London's Burning

Guacamole ... again? Use those avocados to make the London's Burning, a creamy cocktail with a little heat.

Photo by: Image courtesy of Jojo Rossi & Whisknladle Hospitality

Image courtesy of Jojo Rossi & Whisknladle Hospitality

Make It: Avocado Cocktail

Watermelons

Watermelon Salad

Watermelon salad with feta cheese, vidalia onion and basil.

Make It: Watermelon Salad

Watermelon Mule Cocktail

Enjoy the flavors of summer with this cool and refreshing watermelon mule, a twist on the classic Moscow mule.

From: Kayla Kitts

Photo by: Kayla Kitts

Kayla Kitts

Make It: Watermelon Moscow Mule

Tomatoes

Caprese Appetizers

Photo by: photo by Sam Henderson

photo by Sam Henderson

Make It: Caprese Salad Appetizers

Kimchee Bloody Mary

Photo by: Image courtesy of Tuan Huynh

Image courtesy of Tuan Huynh

Make It: Kimchi Bloody Mary

Blackberries

Photo by: Courtesy of Beringer via FoodNetwork.com

Courtesy of Beringer via FoodNetwork.com

Make It: Food Network's Flank Steak Salad With Grilled Corn and Blackberries

Cardamom Berry Smash Wedding Cocktail

The deep flavor of fresh blackberries melds with the exotic spice of cardamom syrup and citrusy botanicals of gin to create a refreshing relief to hot, summer wedding.