Strawberry lemonade vodka
by Strawberry Lemonade Vodka is the ultimate summer drink – no refined sugar, gluten-free, and made with only fresh ingredients. This sparkling and bubbly cocktail is perfect for those hot days when you need something refreshing and cooling.
Forget going for the processed stuff – this homemade version is so much better. It’s lower in calories, bright, zesty, and thirst-quenching. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make. This is a delightful drink that will make your summer gatherings unforgettable!
Ingredients
Homemade drinks always taste better because they have no artificial flavors, plus there’s no simple syrup or refined sugar, making it a much healthier alternative. Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious strawberry cocktail drinks:
- Strawberry Compote: Made with fresh strawberries, orange juice, chia seeds, honey, and vanilla extract for a sweet and tangy burst of flavor.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Brings a zesty, refreshing tartness to balance the sweetness.
- Plain Vodka: Provides the alcoholic kick to make this a fun, grown-up drink.
- Honey: Sweetens the drink naturally, adding a smooth and subtle flavor. Can also use agave.
- Chilled Sparkling Water (Black Raspberry Flavored): Adds a fizzy, refreshing element to the drink; cherry lime flavored is also great, and if those aren’t available, use tonic water.
- Ice Cubes: Keeps the drink chilled and refreshing.
Garnish:
- Fresh Mint: Adds a fresh, aromatic touch.
- Lemon Slices: Enhances the citrusy flavor and adds visual appeal.
- Sliced Strawberries: Complements the strawberry compote and adds a decorative touch.
Substitution
If you’re making this drink in a pinch, you can also use fresh or frozen strawberries (let them thaw a bit) to get an approximate flavor. Muddle the berries before combining them with other ingredients and add a touch of orange juice to the drink.
How to make strawberry lemonade vodka
This strawberry vodka drink is one of my favorites because it’s so easy to make, fresh, and cooling – perfect for those hot summer days. Here’s how to make it:
Make the compote:
- Chop strawberries and add to a small saucepan with orange juice. Boil gently for 5 minutes, then mash and simmer for another 5 minutes.Stir in chia seeds, honey, and vanilla extract. Let cool before storing.
Assemble the drink:
- Add the strawberry compote to a pitcher and muddle until it’s a jam-like texture.
- Add lemon juice, vodka, honey, and sparkling water, stirring well to mix and dissolve the honey.
- Fill individual glasses with ice, pour the drink over, and stir to chill. Garnish with mint, lemon slices, and sweet strawberries.
Tip: What else can you make with strawberry compote? Besides using it as a sauce for pancakes, ice cream, and yogurt parfait, you can also mix it into strawberry chia pudding or Korean strawberry milk!
Alcohol-free version
It’s easy to modify the recipe to make the easy cocktail non-alcoholic. Just skip the vodka and follow the same recipe to make a sparkling strawberry lemonade that’s perfect for kids!
How to make ahead
I recommend making the strawberry compote a day ahead and chilling it in the fridge to save time. The compote stays fresh in the fridge for up to 10 days.
The refreshing cocktail tastes best when assembled fresh. Trust me, it’s super fast to make the drink as long as you have the compote ready to go!
What to serve with strawberry vodka lemonade
This refreshing vodka strawberry lemonade pairs perfectly with a variety of dishes. Here are some delicious suggestions:
BBQ Dishes:
- Enjoy this drink with Bang bang chicken skewers, Kalbi (Korean short ribs), or Beef and broccoli kabobs. The tangy and sweet flavors of the drink complement the savory and smoky taste of these BBQ favorites.
BBQ Side Dishes:
- Serve alongside Japanese potato salad or any of the 40+ Side dishes for BBQ chicken. These sides add a refreshing balance to your BBQ spread and pair wonderfully with the fruity notes of the drink.
Summary Desserts:
- Keeping up with the tropical theme with Mango sago or Mango sticky rice. These desserts are light, tropical, and perfectly complement the bright flavors of the vodka lemonade strawberry cocktail.
Helpful tips
- Prep the Compote Ahead: Make the strawberry compote a day in advance and chill it. This saves time and allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Use Fresh Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice has a brighter, more vibrant flavor than bottled juice. It’s worth the extra effort!
- Choose the Right Sparkling Water: Opt for black raspberry or cherry lime flavored sparkling water for the best taste. If those aren’t available, tonic water works well too.
- Chill Your Ingredients: Use chilled sparkling water and ice-cold vodka to keep the drink refreshing and prevent the ice from diluting it too quickly.
- Make it Non-Alcoholic: It’s easy to modify this recipe for a non-alcoholic version by skipping the vodka. Perfect for kids and non-drinkers!
- Serve Immediately: For the best flavor and fizz, assemble and serve the drink immediately after adding the sparkling water and ice.
- Quick Compote Alternative: If you’re making this drink in a pinch, you can also use fresh or frozen strawberries (let them thaw a bit) to get an approximate flavor. Muddle the berries before combining them with other ingredients and add a touch of orange juice to the drink.
FAQs
Mix it with lemon juice, honey, and chilled sparkling water. For variations, try flavored sparkling waters like black raspberry or cherry lime.
Pair strawberry vodka with lemonade, soda water, or tonic water. For a twist, try it with fruit juices like cranberry or orange.
More refreshing drinks recipes you might like
Looking for more refreshing drinks to try? Here are some delicious options that are perfect for any occasion. Check them out and stay a while to discover more tasty treats!
- Watermelon Mocktail: Made with frozen watermelon, frozen peach, and sparkling water. Simple ingredients – just blend and enjoy!
- Vegan Vietnamese Coffee: A delicious iced coffee made with dairy-free milk. Perfectly refreshing and energizing.
- Strawberry Almond Milk: A creamy and frothy drink that both adults and kids love! Great for a healthy and tasty treat.
- Sake Grapefruit Cocktail: A delicious Japanese sake cocktail with refreshing grapefruit that’s elegant yet delicious!
Strawberry lemonade vodka recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp strawberry compote, see notes
- 2.5 oz fresh lemon juice
- 3 oz plain vodka, use your favorite brand
- 3 tsp honey
- 3 oz chilled black raspberry flavored sparkling water, cherry lime flavored, or tonic water
- Ice cubes
Garnish:
- Fresh mint, lemon slices, and sliced strawberries
Tools:
- A pitcher
- A muddler
- A bar spoon, for stirring
- 2 beautiful serving glasses
Instructions
Strawberry compote:
- Chop strawberries and add to a saucepan with orange juice. Cover and bring to a gentle boil over medium heat for 5 minutes, then uncover the pan and reduce heat to low, mash, and simmer for another 5 minutes.
- Stir in chia seeds, honey, and vanilla extract until well combined. Let the compote cool completely before storing in the refrigerator. See a detailed recipe here.
Assemble the drink:
- Add the strawberry compote to a pitcher. Use a muddler to smash the strawberries into a jam-ish texture so there are no large chunks. Some little bits of strawberry are totally okay.
- Add the lemon juice, vodka, honey, and chilled sparkling water, stirring with a bar spoon to mix well and dissolve the honey.
- Add ice cubes to 2 serving glasses and pour the drinks over. Stir the drinks a bit to cool them down. Garnish with mint leaves, lemon slices, and sliced strawberries.
Notes
- For the strawberry compote (makes about 1.25 cup compote):
- 16 oz fresh strawberries
- ¼ cup orange juice
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 1.5 tbsp honey, or maple syrup
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract
- Make-ahead: I recommend making the strawberry compote a day ahead and chill it in the fridge before making the drink.
- Alcohol-free version: Simply skip the vodka and follow the same recipe quantity to make a Sparkling strawberry lemonade for the kids.
- Pitcher drink for larger crowd: Increase the serving quantity with the same recipe proportion.
- More recipes you can make with my strawberry compote: Korean strawberry milk, Strawberry chia pudding, and Granola yogurt parfait.
- If you’re making this drink in a pinch, you can also use fresh or frozen strawberries (let them thaw a bit) to get an approximate flavor. Muddle the berries before combining them with other ingredients and add a touch of orange juice to the drink.
We made 2 versions for the family this past weekend – one without the vodka for kids and the original version for adults and all of us love it! I also love that the compote tastes fresh and much healthier. We will be making this all summer long.
That sounds amazing!