Learn how to make the best vodka lemonade cocktail. This easy guide to classic, fruit, frozen, slushies, and big batch vodka lemonade drinks includes all the perfect recipe ratios. Enjoy a refreshing hard lemonade that tastes freshly squeezed, but uses a shortcut trick for a quick, convenient drink in minutes!
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Absolutely Nail The Best Lemonade Vodka Cocktail
Only two ingredients are absolutely required for a spiked vodka lemonade cocktail – your favorite vodka and store bought or homemade lemonade.
Not only do these two simple ingredients deliver a refreshing, not-too-sweet, thirst quenching cocktail, but it can morph into countless versions! This complete vodka lemonade recipe resource includes the ideal ratio of booze to juice for a perfectly balanced cocktail.
Read on to discover more vodka lemonade drinks, how to make slushies, or a big batch punch recipe for a crowd.
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Let’s Talk Lemonade
For a completely from scratch recipe, mix up a batch of homemade lemonade. This is a great option for serving party guests because they can choose between a virgin or spiked lemonade drink. Another option is using frozen concentrate or buying a store bought prepared version.
Personally, when I make this drink I opt for the best marriage of taste and convenience. I always use Simply Lemonade brand, which only contains fresh lemon juice, cane sugar, water. It’s a great shortcut, saves you from squeezing lemons, and has clean, fresh taste. (I love it so much, the lime version has made this Limeade Margarita one of the most popular recipes on the site!)
If you don’t want to make an entire pitcher of lemonade and want to serve less, consider making a spiked lemon shake-up recipe, using a cocktail shaker, fresh lemon juice and citrus vodka.
What About the Vodka?
Ironically the brand or quality of vodka doesn’t have a strong effect on a great tasting cocktail. Vodka is essentially a flavorless liquor, so the taste will not shine through as much as the lemonade.
Typically I use something mid range, such as Smirnoff, Stoli, or Tito’s. Add another layer of flavor by using flavored vodkas. Substitute regular vodka with raspberry, strawberry, citrus, cranberry, or blueberry.
Let’s Make This Together!
(Below shows step-by-step photos and modified instructions. For the complete recipe, along with ingredient amounts, scroll down to the recipe card.)
Oh, The Possibilities!
Play off the different lemonade and vodka possibilities to make many easy cocktails! Use fresh or frozen fruit, flavored vodkas, lemonades, or floaters.
- Fruity – Muddle fresh or frozen berries at the bottom of the glass. Substitute a flavored vodka or lemonade, like strawberry, for an extra flavoring. I’ve done this with strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries.
- Pink – Use pink lemonade in place of regular.
- Floaters – Add a touch of fizz by topping your drink with lemon-lime soda, soda, or seltzer.
- Fruit Cubes – Make fruit ice cubes, which not only make a great looking spiked lemonade, but fruity as well!
- Frozen / Slushies – To make a slushy cocktail blend together all the ingredients, ice, and optional fresh or frozen fruit.
Got A Crowd? Make a Punch or Pitcher
To make a large batch punch, gallon, or pitcher you simply need to keep the ingredients in a 1:3 ratio, so for every one part vodka, add 3 parts lemonade.
For one liter of vodka add a half gallon of lemonade, plus 2 additional cups. This will make about 16 cocktails.
Refrain from adding ice to the pitcher or punch bowl to avoid watering down the flavor. Instead, add the ice to the glasses as you serve it.
To make a gallon punch add 32 ounces vodka, or 4 cups, with 96 ounces lemonade, or 12 cups. Shake or stir, and then refrigerate until ready to serve. This can be prepared up to 3 days in advance.
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Vodka Lemonade
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces (42.52 g) vodka , use regular or fruit flavored*
- 4 ½ ounces (85.05 g) Simply Lemonade
- optional fresh fruit , for muddling
Equipment
Instructions
- If using fresh fruit or mint, muddle at the bottom of a pint glass.
- Fill glass with ice. Pour in vodka, lemonade, and give a quick stir.
Notes
This post contains affiliate links. My opinions are always my own. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link, I make a small commission – at no cost to you. Read full disclosure policy here.
Haven’t tried it yet but it sounds refreshing and delicious. So do the other versions you suggested. Looking forward to trying this during the heat of summer. Thank you!
Thank you JJ. It’s an absolute summer favorite of ours!
Best,
Melissa
Amazing recipe.