A vibrant and refreshing summer cocktail that combines the tartness of lemonade with the sweet burst of strawberries and a kick of vodka, all topped off with sparkling water for a fizzy finish. This recipe is easy to customize to your preference, whether you like it sweeter, more tart, or with a stronger vodka presence.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- ¾ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 4-6 lemons)
- 1 cup strawberry-flavored vodka (adjust to your preference)
- 4 cups sparkling water or club soda, chilled
- Fresh strawberries and lemon slices, for garnish
- Ice
Preparation:
Step 1: Make the Strawberry Simple Syrup: In a medium saucepan, combine the sliced strawberries, sugar, and water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved and the strawberries have softened, about 5-7 minutes.
Step 2: Strain the Syrup: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the strawberry mixture cool slightly. Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, pressing on the solids to extract as much flavor and juice as possible. Discard the solids or save them for another use (like topping yogurt or oatmeal). Set the strawberry simple syrup aside to cool completely.
Step 3: Combine Lemon Juice and Syrup: In a large pitcher, combine the freshly squeezed lemon juice and the cooled strawberry simple syrup. Stir well to blend the flavors.
Step 4: Add the Vodka: Pour in the strawberry-flavored vodka and stir to combine. Taste and adjust the sweetness or tartness as needed. If it’s too tart, add a little more simple syrup or sugar. If it’s too sweet, add a squeeze more lemon juice.
Step 5: Add Sparkling Water and Serve: Just before serving, add the chilled sparkling water or club soda to the pitcher. Gently stir to combine. Be careful not to over-stir, as you don’t want to lose the fizz.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve: Fill glasses with ice and pour the Sparkling Strawberry Vodka Lemonade over the ice. Garnish each glass with fresh strawberries and lemon slices. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Why You Will Love This Recipe:
This Sparkling Strawberry Vodka Lemonade is the perfect summer cocktail for so many reasons:
- It’s Incredibly Refreshing: The combination of tart lemon, sweet strawberry, and fizzy sparkling water is incredibly thirst-quenching and perfect for hot days.
- It’s Easy to Make: With just a few simple steps, you can whip up a batch of this delicious cocktail in no time.
- It’s Customizable: You can easily adjust the sweetness, tartness, and vodka strength to suit your preferences.
- It’s Visually Appealing: The vibrant pink color and fresh fruit garnish make this cocktail a beautiful addition to any party or gathering.
- It’s Made with Fresh Ingredients: Using fresh strawberries and lemon juice adds a burst of natural flavor that you just can’t get from artificial ingredients.
- It’s Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, relaxing by the pool, or just enjoying a quiet evening on the patio, this cocktail is the perfect choice.
- It’s a Crowd-Pleaser: Everyone loves a good lemonade, and the addition of strawberries and vodka takes it to the next level. Your guests will be impressed!
- The Strawberry Simple Syrup is Versatile: The leftover strawberry simple syrup can be used in other drinks, cocktails, or even drizzled over desserts.
- It’s a Great Way to Use Seasonal Strawberries: This recipe is the perfect way to take advantage of fresh, in-season strawberries.
- It’s Fun to Experiment With: Feel free to add other fruits, herbs, or spices to customize the flavor to your liking. Mint, basil, or a touch of ginger would all be delicious additions.
COOKING Rating:
Easy
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve in tall glasses filled with ice.
- Garnish with fresh strawberries, lemon slices, and mint sprigs.
- Pair with light appetizers like grilled shrimp skewers, bruschetta, or a cheese and fruit platter.
- Serve alongside a barbecue meal, such as grilled chicken, burgers, or salads.
- For a non-alcoholic version, omit the vodka and add more sparkling water.
- Make a pitcher ahead of time and keep it chilled in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Just add the sparkling water right before serving to maintain the fizz.
- Offer different flavored sparkling waters to allow guests to customize their drinks.
- Serve with a bowl of fresh strawberries for snacking.
- Consider using decorative straws for an extra touch of elegance.
Tips:
- For the best flavor, use fresh, ripe strawberries and lemons.
- Make the strawberry simple syrup ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- If you don’t have strawberry-flavored vodka, you can use regular vodka and add a few muddled strawberries to the pitcher.
- Adjust the amount of sugar and lemon juice to your taste preference.
- Chill all the ingredients before mixing for a colder and more refreshing drink.
- If you don’t have sparkling water, you can use club soda or tonic water.
- To make a larger batch, simply double or triple the recipe.
- For a sweeter drink, add more simple syrup.
- For a tarter drink, add more lemon juice.
- Don’t over-stir the cocktail after adding the sparkling water, as this will cause it to lose its fizz.
Prep Time:
15 minutes
Cook Time:
7 minutes
Total Time:
22 minutes (plus cooling time for the syrup)
Nutritional Information:
(Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and will vary depending on the specific ingredients used and portion sizes.)
- Calories: Approximately 200-250 per serving
- Protein: Less than 1 gram per serving
- Sodium: Varies depending on the sparkling water used, approximately 10-30mg per serving
Conclusion:
This Sparkling Strawberry Vodka Lemonade is the ultimate summer cocktail. It’s easy to make, refreshing, customizable, and perfect for any occasion. With its vibrant color, fresh flavors, and fizzy finish, it’s sure to be a hit with your friends and family. So grab some strawberries, lemons, and vodka, and get ready to enjoy a taste of summer!
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Q: Can I make this without the vodka?
- A: Absolutely! Simply omit the vodka and add more sparkling water to make a refreshing non-alcoholic Strawberry Lemonade. You might want to add a little extra simple syrup to compensate for the lack of sweetness from the vodka.
- Q: Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?
- A: While fresh strawberries are preferred for the best flavor, you can use frozen strawberries in a pinch. Thaw them slightly before using them in the simple syrup, and be sure to drain off any excess liquid. Keep in mind that the flavor might not be as intense as with fresh strawberries.
- Q: How long does the strawberry simple syrup last?
- A: Strawberry simple syrup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Q: Can I use a different type of alcohol?
- A: Yes, you can experiment with other types of alcohol. Gin or white rum would be good substitutes for vodka. However, the flavor profile will change, so adjust the other ingredients accordingly.
- Q: What if I don’t have sparkling water?
- A: If you don’t have sparkling water, you can use club soda or tonic water. Club soda will provide a neutral fizz, while tonic water will add a slightly bitter flavor. You can also use regular water, but the drink will be less fizzy. Adding a squeeze of lime along with the lemon provides a nice added layer of flavor.
