This Is Your Go-To Summer Cocktail Based On Your Zodiac Sign

As a professional wine and spirits consultant and writer, it's easy to get sucked into a rut when sipping adult beverages. I'm guilty of defaulting to the same drink selections when I'm out or at home sipping wine while cooking dinner. That's why I love a good round-up of creative suggestions based on fun pairings. They force me to get out of my comfort zone and try something new.

In this round-up, we've gone beyond the traditional pairing and looked into what your zodiac sign says about what you should sip this summer. I may be a drinks professional, but I am by no means an expert when it comes to astrology, so I consulted with a few in the field to find out a bit more about what your sign says about you, and how to pair that unique energy with some of the absolute best cocktails for summer.

Our zodiac experts come with extensive credentials. Penny Sadler is a journalist and astrologist who has studied Vedic and Western astrology and has been reading charts since the 1990s. Erika Beach is a consulting Hellenistic astrologer, researcher, and staff member with Nightlight Astrology, and founder of Luna Moon Astrology. "Your Sun sign in Astrology is considered the 'Plot' in your life," says Beach. "[It's] the vital force that drives the perception of your soul, bringing light to your inner core." With this in mind, we've identified the summer cocktails to complement your life plot and get that inner core shining even brighter.

I am a Taurus, so I was particularly interested in hearing what our astrology experts had to say about this sign. "Taurus is the most sensual sign of all," Beach explained. "It is the sign with the best sense of taste and smell. Taurus does not like change and enjoys things that have stood the test of time." The sign is also known for loving luxury and indulgence. Fair enough.

On that note, the trusty Aperol spritz should appeal to this earth sign's slightly stubborn nature. Not only has this cocktail emerged as the quintessential summer sip and a staple in just about everyone's European travel photos, but it conjures up images of lounging on the Amalfi Coast at aperitivo hour. In other words, the ultimate in cocktail luxury. Don't let that luxury fool you though. There is nothing fussy or overcomplicated about this drink. The classic Aperol spritz is remarkably easy to whip up with just a few simple ingredients so Tauruses can get to pool- (or coast-) side sipping sooner than later.

A water sign represented by the crab, Cancer is protective, intuitive, and compassionate. "Cancer are the nurturers of the zodiac, ruled by the moon," says Erika Beach. "Think comfort food or drinks and things that make you feel at home, as this sign enjoys being homebodies. The moon also represents family, mothers, and women."

When I think of comfort food, I think of good old fashioned Southern cooking — complete with a tall glass of iced tea. And, anyone who has ever been treated to that great Southern hospitality knows that this is probably the first thing you'll be offered when a Southerner invites you into their home. The nurturing Cancer will no doubt love an adult version of this refreshing summer beverage. With a handful of basic ingredients, the humble iced tea can easily be turned into a three-ingredient whiskey cocktail to sip on all summer long. With a hearty dose of lemonade added to the mix, this can also become the perfect boozy Arnold Palmer cocktail when hitting the links on warm days. 

Practical and hard-working, Virgo is the ultimate earth sign. Unlike many signs depicted as animals, Virgo is depicted as a woman carrying a sheaf of wheat and is often thought to represent fertility, agriculture, and the harvest. "This is the sign of the helper, and doing things for others," Beach notes. She says she has also observed that many winemakers are Virgo, something she is currently researching further, but that may align with the notion of Virgo being represented in agriculture.

Naturally, then, the perfect summer cocktail for this earthy character is a cool glass of ranch water. This may sound like something found at the bottom of a pig's trough, but it's actually a super simple, totally refreshing cocktail that likely originated in Texas. Some think of it as an even lighter take on the skinny margarita while some hail it as the perfect hard seltzer alternative. We think of it as down-to-earth and downright delicious. All that's needed is some tequila, seltzer (many swear by Topo Chico as the go-to choice), and a hearty squeeze of lime. Porch, cowboy hat, and boots not required but highly recommended.

The name Scorpio is fitting for this water sign, given its classic traits. "Scorpios have a mysterious aura to them that draws people in," Beach says. "[They are] ruled by the planet Mars, which lets them focus action and energy into what they enjoy, but they will sting you if you ever cross them. They love hard and suffer just as hard."

The perfect summer cocktail for this all or nothing sign is, naturally, the dark and stormy. The name may conjure up images of a winter tipple, but it's actually got tropical leanings. Legend says the dark and stormy's roots are actually tied to the island of Bermuda, where a sailor noted the similarity between the amber color of the drink and brooding storm clouds. Whatever its origins, this is a spicy yet refreshing dark rum-based cocktail made with ginger beer, lime, and a quick hit of Angostura bitters for depth. What creates that signature stormy hue is the slow addition of dark rum on top of the light ginger beer, creating a swirling, two-toned hint of drama to the otherwise simple cocktail.

This earth sign, depicted by the sea-goat, is pretty unmistakable. Penny Sadler says this sign is driven and practical. Erika Beach digs deeper. "Capricorn is the most hardworking sign in the zodiac and is the chief executive," she explains. "They are overly cautious and inflexible. They prefer to work alone, as they know things will get done by themselves. The sea goat creature was given to Capricorns because they can climb any hill or mountain they are given."

Of course, the Capricorn then needs a drink prepared just so ... Perhaps just like the one and only James Bond, who knew what he wanted, communicated it, and started an entire drinks trend surrounding this vision. Enter: the legendary Vesper martini. Introduced in the very first book in the James Bond franchise, "Casino Royale," back in 1953, the Vesper is as iconic as Bond when it comes to cocktails. Three ounces of gin, one ounce of vodka, a half-ounce of Lillet blanc, shaken, not stirred, served with a twist will do it for the textbook Bond — and Capricorn — cocktail. This drink is all boss.

This water sign, ruled by Jupiter and depicted by the distinctive fish swimming in a circle, is important in its symbolism vis-à-vis the rest of the zodiac. According to experts, Pisces has earned its empathetic persona by being the last sign in the zodiac, thereby absorbing all of the lessons of the signs that came before it. "They see life through a kaleidoscope lens," says Erika Beach. "They are emotional sponges that have the ability to feel how others are feeling. They are concerned with the seen and the unseen. Pisces represents the oceans, which symbolize our emotions, a burden that Pisces often carry due to their sensitivity."

Well, with great power comes great responsibility, which is why the perfect cocktail for Pisces is, of course, Penicillin, that cure-all medical discovery from Dr. Alexander Fleming in 1928 that formed the basis of the world's first antibiotic. Penicillin the drink is a complex potion that blends so many different elements — tart, spicy, herbal, sweet, and smoky, thanks to the mix of different Scotch whiskeys, ginger, lemon, and a touch of honey — that it seems like the sign ultimately meant to appreciate such an elixir is the Pisces. There are several variations out there on this famous drink, but all stress the importance of that heady float of peaty Scotch to engage the senses and cure what ails you. Rumor has it this cocktail is best served alongside grilled fish, which just brings everything full swimming circle, doesn't it?