You know those hot afternoons where the heat rises from the pavement in waves and all the sounds of nature collapse into a vague buzz? It's time to relax on the porch with the best, spiked strawberry lemonade ever!
This delicious drink is perfect for summer barbecues, pool parties, or long summer evenings watching the stars come out. It’s super easy to make and tastes amazing. Keep reading to find out how you can make this refreshing drink for your next summer get-together!
This recipe is meant for people over 21 years old. Please drink responsibly.
Table of Contents
- 🗝️ Key takeaways: why this recipe is your new favorite
- 🧾🧾 Gather your ingredients: what you'll need
- 📖 Make it your own: yummy variations
- 🔪 Step-by-step guide: instructions for success
- Non-alcoholic strawberry lemonade
- Spiked strawberry lemonade punch
- 🍴Must have tools: essential equipment
- 🥫 Leftover love: how to store spiked strawberry lemonade
- Marye's Tip o' the day
- 💭 Insider tips: things to know
- 👩🍳 Let's answer those questions: FAQs
- 📚 More Southern comfort: related recipes you'll love
- 📞 Wrapping it up: the last word
- 📖 Recipe
- spiked strawberry lemonade
- 💬 Comments
Save this recipe by clicking on the ❤️ heart on the right-hand side of the screen or in the recipe card.
🗝️ Key takeaways: why this recipe is your new favorite
- This drink is refreshing, delicious, and perfect for summer. Plus, it’s easy to make with just a few simple ingredients.
- It's a friendly drink - nothing fancy. Great for any summer event, like barbecues, pool parties, or just relaxing on a warm evening.
- Be sure to check out the limeade, blueberry, and raspberry variations.
Steamy, sultry, hot southern summers would be unbearable without drinks like this fruity, refreshing spiked strawberry lemonade cocktail. Think of it as Kool Aid for adults!
It's one of those easy drinks you want on hand all summer long.
🧾🧾 Gather your ingredients: what you'll need
This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
📖 Make it your own: yummy variations
- Sparkling Twist: Add sparkling water for a fizzy version of this drink.
- Spicy Kick: Add a jalapeño slice (or 2) to the lemonade for a little spice.
- Limeade: Use an equal measure of lime juice in place of lemon for spiked strawberry limeade.
- Add flavor: Try this with strawberry lemonade vodka instead of plain vodka for even more flavor.
- Change up the fruit: Use raspberries, cherries, or blueberries in place of strawberries (equal measure).
- Slush it: Use frozen strawberries and blend with partially frozen sugar syrup for a strawberry vodka lemonade slush.
- Margarita it: Silver tequila is a great substitute for the vodka.
- Punch it: Increase the servings to make this a delicious, spiked strawberry vodka punch.
🔪 Step-by-step guide: instructions for success
This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page.
Step one
- 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 strawberries and simple syrup in the blender until smooth (fresh strawberry puree). Cool the puree before using.
- Pour into a pitcher.
- Add the vodka.
- Add the lemon juice and stir.
- Garnish with lime and strawberry slices.
Non-alcoholic strawberry lemonade
Follow the instructions above but leave out the vodka. Add an extra half cup of lemon juice and an extra half cup of strawberry syrup.
Or add a cup of Sprite or other lemon lime soda.
Spiked strawberry lemonade punch
Make this a strawberry vodka punch recipe by changing the number of servings to 20 for a large batch.
Serve in a punch bowl with sliced fresh strawberries and lemon slices as a garnish.
🤫 Marye's secret for zhuzhing it up -
Add a splash of vanilla to the strawberry syrup or simmer a vanilla bean with the berries for a unique twist! Remove the vanilla bean before blending the puree.
zhuzh: verb. To make something more interesting or attractive
🍴Must have tools: essential equipment
- saucepan
- large pitcher
- measuring cups and spoons
- wooden spoon
🥫 Leftover love: how to store spiked strawberry lemonade
Store any leftover spiked strawberry lemonade in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir well before serving.
The strawberry puree can be refrigerated for a few days or frozen for up to 6 months.
Marye's Tip o' the day
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.
💭 Insider tips: things to know
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor.
- Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less sugar to the strawberry syrup. How much sugar you have to add will depend a lot on the sweetness of the berries.
- Serve the lemonade in mason jars for a cute, rustic look.
- Fresh lemon juice is better than bottled but either will work.
- 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.
- Strawberry lemonade vodka cocktail 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.
- Always store in the refrigerator, tightly covered.
- For extra strawberry flavor use strawberry vodka instead of regular vodka.
- 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 for s slushy spiked strawberry lemonade.
- If you'd like it sparkly without the extra sweetness of lemon lime soda try sparkling water or club soda.
👩🍳 Let's answer those questions: FAQs
Have other questions? Ask me in the comments!
Vodka is my go-to choice for spiked strawberry lemonade because it blends well without overpowering the flavor of the fruit.
Absolutely. Keep it tightly covered in the refrigerator.
Different fruits can be added to spiked lemonade.📚 More Southern comfort: related recipes you'll love
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 also similar to this strawberry watermelon margarita.
📞 Wrapping it up: the last word
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 vodka spiked strawberry lemonade recipe 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, a hot day 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 strawberry vodka drink... try it and 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.
If you love this recipe please comment below and give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
Spiked Strawberry Lemonade
Print Pin Recipe Rate RecipeIngredients
- 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.
Non-alcoholic homemade strawberry lemonade
- Follow the instructions above but leave out the vodka.
- Add an extra half cup of lemon juice and an extra half cup of strawberry syrup.
- Taste and adjust mixture so it's just the way you like it.
Notes
- Use the ripest berries possible.
- Use raspberries, cherries, or blueberries in place of strawberries (equal measure).
- 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.
- 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.
- Leave the vodka out for a delicious strawberry lemonade that is kid friendly.
- Always store in the refrigerator, tightly covered.
- 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.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
First published May 21, 2020. Last updated July 2, 2024 for editorial improvements and readability plus more helpful content.
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Chef Mimi says
This sounds wonderful! Definitely perfect for spring and summer after some gardening!
Marye says
It's one of my favorites. Try it with blackberries, too!