Steamy, sultry, hot southern summers would be unbearable without drinks like this fruity, refreshing strawberry vodka lemonade. Think of it as Koolaid for adults! Be sure to check out the limeade, blueberry, and raspberry variations.
It's similar to electric lemonade but with sweet, ripe strawberries!
This recipe is meant for people over 21 years old. Please drink responsibly.
🥘 Ingredients
- Strawberries - the more ripe they are the better the flavor. See notes for using frozen berries.
- Lemons - or use limes for limeade.
- Vodka - I use regular, unflavored vodka for this but you could use a strawberry, lemon, or strawberry lemonade flavored vodka to enhance the flavor even more.
🔪 Instructions
This light and fruity summer cocktail is SO refreshing! I think it's better the day after it's made because the flavors have time to blend. It's similar to this strawberry watermelon margarita.
- Wash, stem and slice the berries.
- Add water and sugar to a heavy saucepan.
- Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally until the sugar completely dissolves.
- Add the berries and simmer a few more minutes.
- Blend the berry and sugar syrup mixture in the blender until smooth. Cool.
- Pour into a pitcher.
- Add the vodka.
- Add the lemon juice and stir.
- Serve in tall glasses with plenty of ice.
💭 Tips
Expert Tip: You can use frozen strawberries 🍓 - just thaw them and let them drain in a colander over a bowl. Measure and use the liquid that drains off as part of the water called for in the recipe.
- Use the ripest berries possible.
- Let the sugar syrup and strawberry mixture cool before continuing with the recipe. If you don't you may burn off some of the alcohol or run the chance of the pitcher shattering if it's glass.
- This is better the second day. Make it, cover tightly, and refrigerate.
- Some people prefer to strain the strawberry and syrup mixture through a fine mesh sieve to get rid of any fiber or seeds from the berries.
- You can skip the lemon juice and use prepared lemonade or lemonade mix and water if you like. I don't like it that way but many people do.
- Leave the vodka out for a delicious strawberry lemonade that is kid friendly.
- Always store in the refrigerator, tightly covered.
- You can leave the vodka out and freeze the strawberry lemonade part in ice cube trays. Just add to your blender with a couple of ounces of vodka when ready to serve.
📖 Variations
- Use an equal measure of lime juice in place of lemon for spiked strawberry limeade.
- Use raspberries, cherries, or blueberries in place of strawberries (equal measure).
- Use frozen strawberries and blend with partially frozen sugar syrup for a strawberry vodka lemonade slush.
- Use a flavored vodka. Try strawberry, lemon, or another favorite.
- Silver tequila is a great substitute for the vodka.
- Leave out the sugar syrup and top the berries and lemon juice off with Sprite or 7-Up.
If there's one thing I like to do in the summer it's sitting in one of the rockers on the front porch with a good book and an icy glass of something like a spiked strawberry lemonade or a cold coffee cocktail.
People from up north have asked how in the world we survive 115F temperatures and I always tell them that those temperatures from Hell's furnace are a blessing in disguise.
You see, it forces you to slow down, take it easy, and relax... it's just too hot to do much else!
And some of us need to be forced to take some time to just watch the world go by. This is my favorite way to do it... see what you think!
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need. Don't forget that you can click on "add to collection" to save it to your own, private recipe box!
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
Strawberry Vodka Lemonade
Ingredients
- 1 cup strawberries, washed
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup vodka
- 1 cup lemon juice
- 1 lemon, sliced for garnish
Instructions
- Wash, stem, and slice the berries. Set aside.
- Add the water and sugar to a heavy pot.
- Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves.
- Add the sliced berries.
- Simmer another minute or two. Let cool.
- Blend until smooth. Let cool.
- Add the strawberry mixture, vodka, and lemon juice to a pitcher. Stir well.
- Slice a few strawberries and lemon wheels to add to the pitcher.
- Chill at least 2 hours if possible and serve ice cold, garnished with lemon wheels and whole berries.
Notes
- Use the ripest berries possible.
- Let the sugar syrup and strawberry mixture cool before continuing with the recipe. If you don't you may burn off some of the alcohol or run the chance of the pitcher shattering if it's glass.
- This is better the second day. Make it, cover tightly, and refrigerate.
- Some people prefer to strain the strawberry and syrup mixture through a fine mesh sieve to get rid of any fiber or seeds from the berries.
- You can skip the lemon juice and use prepared lemonade or lemonade mix and water if you like. I don't like it that way but many people do.
- Leave the vodka out for a delicious strawberry lemonade that is kid friendly.
- Always store in the refrigerator, tightly covered.
- You can leave the vodka out and freeze the strawberry lemonade part in ice cube trays. Just add to your blender with a couple of ounces of vodka when ready to serve.
- You can use frozen strawberries 🍓 - just thaw them and let them drain in a colander over a bowl. Measure and use the liquid that drains off as part of the water called for in the recipe.
- Use an equal measure of lime juice in place of lemon for spiked strawberry limeade.
- Use raspberries, cherries, or blueberries in place of strawberries (equal measure).
- Use frozen strawberries and blend with partially frozen sugar syrup for a strawberry vodka lemonade slush.
- Use a flavored vodka. Try strawberry, lemon, or another favorite.
- Silver tequila is a great substitute for the vodka.
- Leave out the sugar syrup and top the berries and lemon juice off with Sprite or 7-Up.
Chef Mimi
This sounds wonderful! Definitely perfect for spring and summer after some gardening!
Marye
It's one of my favorites. Try it with blackberries, too!