Strawberry Lemonade Vodka Cocktail

Bright, sweet-tart, boozy, and refreshing, my recipe for Strawberry Lemonade Vodka Cocktails is the new “It Girl” of summer. With a triple whammy of fresh muddled berries, homemade strawberry syrup, & strawberry-infused vodka, plus a hefty splash of zesty lemonade, this is the easy drink recipe you need for your next pool party.

Can you tell I’m on a strawberry kick over here? Between my homemade strawberry compote, strawberry rhubarb freezer jam, strawberry popsicles, and strawberry cream-filled Bavarian donuts, I'm basically 50% by now. 😂

The Farmer’s Markets have been overflowing with these ruby-red little beauties, and I just can’t help myself. But, honestly, can you blame me? I mean, who doesn’t want strawberries in their cereal treats, strawberry milk, and lemonade?? I’m a firm believer that berries, like butter, make just about everything better.

If you’re of the same mentality, you’re going to flip for this fresh and juicy strawberry vodka lemonade recipe. Made with a bevy of fresh strawberries and just the right amount of sweet-tart lemonade, this summer sipper is simply overflowing with the very essence of sunshine.

⭐ Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Lemon Cocktail Recipe 

My strawberry vodka lemonade cocktail is the pretty-in-pink, juicy fruit libation every warm-weather occasion calls for. It’s equal parts gorgeous and refreshing, perfect for sipping on the patio or for sunbathing by the pool on a hot summer day. 

But, if you still need some convincing, this strawberry lemonade vodka recipe is also:

• Quick & Easy - Muddle, pour, stir, and go! Each strawberry vodka cocktail takes mere minutes to assemble. It’s also well-suited to batching, so feel free to prep a big pitcher and keep the good times rolling!
• Made With Only 4 Ingredients - Don’t you just love a short shopping list?
• Bursting With Berry Goodness - Fresh strawberries, strawberry syrup, AND strawberry vodka come together for an undeniably bright berry flavor.
• Easily Customizable - Whether you’re sober-curious, keto, or even allergic to strawberries (😭), I’ve got a simple variation of this pink lemonade cocktail that’s perfect for you.

🍴Ingredients 

As promised, you only need a handful of ingredients to make this strawberry lemonade vodka cocktail. Here's what to pick up at the grocery store or your local liquor stores: 

• Fresh Strawberries - Muddling pure, raw berries adds tons of color and flavor to this vodka and lemonade cocktail. If you don’t have access to fresh, frozen strawberries will work beautifully! Have more strawberries? Make strawberry milk, strawberry coulis, strawberry vodka or strawberry tartlets!
• Strawberry Simple Syrup - If you prefer your vodka pink lemonade on the sweeter side, this homemade strawberry-infused sweetener is the ideal addition. Plus, it’s just made with sugar, water, and berries, so you can feel good about it!
• Lemonade - You’re welcome to use either homemade with fresh lemon juice or store-bought!
• Strawberry Vodka - For adding extra berry goodness to your pink vodka lemonade. Again, feel free to use either homemade or store-bought. Alternatively, plain vodka can also be used with a crisp finish. 
• Lemon Wheels and Fresh Strawberry - If possible, save a few extra berries and a fresh lemon slices for a pretty garnish. While they’re not technically essential to the recipe, adding a garnish is the easiest way to make your homemade drinks feel just as special as what you’d get at a fancy bar.

See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements to make on a hot day.

⏲️ Substitutions & Variations

As much as we love this strawberry lemonade easy cocktail recipe just the way it is written, there are tons of opportunities to make it your own. Here are just a few optional variations to keep in mind:

• Swap in a Different Berry - Strawberries are superb, but don’t feel limited. Lemonade plays well with pretty much all the different fresh fruit and berries including blueberries, blackberries, boysenberries, and even cherries. You’re also welcome to mix and match!
• Use My Roasted Strawberry Cherry Rhubarb Lemonade - This homemade strawberry lemonade recipe is a real stunner, and it makes for a delightful non-alcoholic option all on its own. If you want to add even more summery goodness to your lemonade vodka punch, this is a great way to do it.
• Go Sugar-Free - Either omit the strawberry syrup or swap in your favorite cup-for-cup sugar substitute when making it. You can also opt for a diet lemonade or lemon seltzer to keep your drinks totally free from added sugars.
• Try Using Limeade - Strawberries and limes make for a delectable pair! For added flair, try swapping in tequila blanco for the vodka if you make this switch.
• Add Fresh Herbs - Strawberries and lemons play nicely with all kinds of fresh, herbaceous flavors. Mint and basil are probably my top picks, but tarragon and thyme are also strong contenders.
• Go NA - Make sure the teenagers and DD’s have something to sip on by offering a non-alcoholic version of this slurp-worthy sipper. Either omit the vodka entirely, or swap in your favorite NA spirit instead.
• Add Some Sparkle - Use a SodaStream to add some effervescence to your lemonade, or swap in club soda, hard seltzer flavor or a lemon-flavored seltzer instead.

📖 Step by Step Instructions

You’ll have a vodka strawberry lemonade in your hand in no time with this quick and simple recipe! Here’s how this delicious cocktail is made:

Step 1: Muddle the strawberry slices & strawberry syrup in the base of your cocktail glass. Top with ice.

Step 2: Pour vodka & lemonade into the glass. 

Step 3: Stir gently with a bar spoon

 Step 4: Garnish with lemon wheels & fresh strawberries before enjoying!

👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tips

Here are a few tricks I've learned that'll ensure your pink lemonade vodka drinks are perfect every time:

• Make sure you get your hands on some juicy, ripe strawberries during the summer months. If you can't find any that are fresh, look to the freezer aisle!
• Give those fresh berries a good muddle. Muddling is a fancy word for gently squishing the strawberries to release their flavors. Take a sturdy glass or cocktail shaker, chuck in the strawberries, and get your muddler or wooden spoon ready. Give 'em a good press and twist until they're nicely crushed.
• To take this strawberry lemonade vodka drink over the top, squeeze up a batch of fresh lemonade to bring all that tangy goodness to the party. If you like it sweeter, go ahead and add some extra strawberry simple syrup.
• Find your ideal vodka lemonade ratio. Consider using flavored ice cubes made from homemade lemonade to prevent too much flavor dilution.
• After adding the lemonade, vodka, and ice to your muddled strawberries, grab a long cocktail spoon and give it a gentle stir. We don't want to go overboard and dilute the flavors too much, so just a few spins around the glass ought to do it.
• Get fancy with your garnish game! Pop in some lemon wheels and fresh strawberries to make your cocktail look as good as it tastes.

💭 Recipe FAQs

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