7 Best Summer Colognes for Men in 2025, According to a Grooming Editor

Last winter, during one of those sub-zero freezing days, I found myself watching Call Me By Your Name, yearning for sunny, rural Italy. Smelling this cologne is the closest I’ve gotten to achieving that escape, and now that it’s beautiful again in New York (though nowhere near Italy’s level), it’s the perfect summer scent. It opens with vibrant citrus top notes of zesty bergamot and lemon. Then hints of neroli and orange blossom emerge, developing into a fresh floral brightness that evokes sun-drenched coastal air at the Italian Riviera. As it settles, warm amber and light musk then create a clean, luxurious trail that lingers.

It’s the embodiment of everything I love about warmer weather, offering a breezy, relaxed scent that simultaneously commands attention, the white linen suit of fragrances. Fresh colognes tend to be the quickest to fade, as their scent are lighter and highlight citrus, herbal, or aquatic notes, which evaporate faster than more intense woody or amber fragrances. But Neroli Portofino is an exception to this trend, offering day-long freshness. I’ve given myself a few sprays with this stuff in the morning, and it persists throughout the work day and into the night.

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As one of the best-selling scents in the world, this fragrance earns its iconic status with a scent that smells great year-round, but works especially well for summer because of its fresh, refreshing formula. I love how the fresh grapefruit, crisp cedar, and smooth sandalwood strike a perfect balance of being masculine without being overpowering. As a result, it’s my go-to for laid-back summer days when I just want to keep it subtle yet still sharp.

It’s crazy versatile, too. While it shines in daylight, it easily transitions into evening wear when the freshness fades and warm sandalwood takes center stage. This cologne evolves on your skin without losing its identity—never loud, but always notable. It’s the kind of summer scent that stays fresh but leaves a quiet, confident impression wherever you go.

I’m not against the beach or a picnic in the park, but for me, there is no better summer tradition than sitting around a campfire (preferably with whisky in hand). If you have a similar inclination during the warmer months, this is the scent for you. Never has a cologne captured the scent of warm smoke and charred wood more beautifully (or accurately) than City On Fire.

With top notes of red berries and spicy black pepper that evolve into a hazy burst of enflamed timber, it immediately transports you to sitting around a campfire with good drinks and better company, maybe somebody even has a guitar out, hopefully playing anything other than “Wonderwall”. Similar to the lingering scent of a fire, this fragrance persists for hours. While more subtle, I still smell it at least ten hours after applying, and often more.

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While many athletes have recently started grooming brands, the trend for musicians seems to be launching new candles. Alicia Keys, Harry Styles, Troye Sivan, and Drake have all released their own candle brands in the last few years, with the latter rapper’s Better World Fragrance House being the best among the crop for men. The scents are sophisticated and cozy without overpowering their space, so when the brand dropped its first cologne, Summer Mink, I was certainly intrigued.

The fragrance opens with bright, herbal citrus before developing into notes of rose and jasmine. This blends with warm spices and then settles into a smooth, earthy base of patchouli. It’s a rare amber scent best suited for sunny days, like a bonfire on the beach. It’s ideal for warm weather celebrations and outdoor parties, with a scent that’s sure to stand out in a crowd without overpowering all those around you.

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Vacation is responsible for some of my favorite sunscreens, especially its tanning spray if you’re into that sort of thing, and its After Sun Gel is a great resource in helping skin recover after a long day of sun exposure. But something other than its sheer effectiveness jumps out when using the gel—it smells incredible. So much so that Vacation bottled it up and started selling it as an eau de toilette.

The result is a refreshing, tropical scent with key notes of aloe vera, green tea, and melon, capturing the soothing, clean feeling of diving into fresh waters after hours soaking in the sun. It’s not the longest-lasting fragrance, to be clear, but it’s suitable by design. It’s best used as a refresher after a day at the beach before you hit the boardwalk, or something to brighten up your smell while sitting poolside. Best part? It’s only $60, by far the best value on this list.

If you’ve ever taken a stroll through Central Park on a beautiful, sunny day, then you know the unexpected harmony between chess and summer. Mind Games, a fragrance line inspired by the classic game, was way ahead of the pair’s unique compatibility. Look no further than Blockade as proof. With top notes of mango, bergamot, pink pepper, and tomato leaf; middle notes of lavender and cyclamen; and base notes of amber, oud, and suede, it’s one of the most unique summer scents around.

Despite it traditionally being a staple of cooler seasons, the leathery finish works perfectly under the sun, like a great pair of loafers. Similarly, this fragrance is ideal for more formal warm weather fits, and my go-to for summer weddings. Not to mention, I get at least eight hours out of this stuff with a couple of sprays, so you don’t have to worry about a re-up mid-ceremony.