Best Vodka Lemonade co*cktail (2024)

Learn how to make the best vodka lemonade co*cktail. 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!

lemonade vodka co*cktail

Only two ingredients are absolutely required for a spiked vodka lemonade co*cktail – your favorite vodka and store bought or homemade lemonade.

Not only do these two simple ingredients deliver a refreshing, not-too-sweet, thirst quenching co*cktail, 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 co*cktail.

Read on to discover more vodka lemonade drinks, how to make slushies, or a big batch punch recipe for a crowd.

Using Homemade 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.

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 co*cktail shaker, fresh lemon juice and citrus vodka.

What is the Best Lemonade to Use?

The key to making the best co*cktail is choosing the right lemonade. Since there are so many options, how do you choose?

1. The most affordable route would be making lemon from frozen concentrate. If serving pitchers or punch for a large amount of people this might be your best option, but you will sacrifice taste.
2. Another option is to buy store bought prepared lemonade. There’s a variety of brands and choices to make pink lemonade, store brands, to higher quality, small batch options.
3. 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!)

What Vodka to Use?

Ironically the brand or quality of vodka doesn’t have a strong effect on a great tasting co*cktail. 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. If you need a drink safe for those avoiding gluten or with celiac disease, be sure to check out this complete gluten-free liquor list.

Add another layer of flavor by using flavored vodkas. Substitute regular vodka with raspberry, strawberry, citrus, cranberry, or blueberry.

How To Make Vodka Lemonade

(Below shows step-by-step photos and modified instructions. For the complete recipe, along with ingredient amounts, scroll down to the recipe card.)

More Easy spiked Lemonade Drinks

Play off the different lemonade and vodka possibilities to make many easy co*cktails! Use fresh or frozen fruit, flavored vodkas, lemonades, or floaters.

• Strawberry Lemonade– Muddle fresh or frozen strawberries at the bottom of the glass. Substitute strawberry vodka or lemonade, or use both for an extra flavoring.
• Blueberry Lemonade – Muddle a handful of fresh or frozen blueberries at the bottom of the glass. Add ice, blueberry vodka, and lemonade.
• Pink Vodka Lemonade – Use pink lemonade in place of regular.
• Raspberry Lemonade – Muddle fresh or frozen raspberries at the bottom of the glass. Substitute raspberry vodka or lemonade, or use both for an extra flavoring.(Simply Lemonade also makes a raspberry version!)
• Floaters – Add a touch of fizz by topping your drink with lemon-lime soda, soda, or seltzer.
• Fruit Cubes – Use these easy fruit cubes for not only a great looking spiked lemonade, but fruity as well!
• Frozen / Slushies – To make a frozen lemonade slushy blend together all the ingredients, ice, and optional fresh or frozen fruit.

Making 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 co*cktails.

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.

garnish ideas

Fresh mint adds a nice bright pop of color and fragrant addition to the lemon flavor. Fresh or frozen berries not only look great, but are a tasty alcohol-soaked bite to enjoy at the end of the co*cktail.

Click here to see thestep-by-step web story instructions for this recipe!

More Easy co*cktail Recipes

• Rose Sangria
• Fresh Blackberry co*cktail
• Colorado Bulldog

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