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Pink vodka lemonade is the perfect summer cocktail! Not only is it perfectly tart, but it's also perfectly sweet, and made with simple syrup infused with fresh thyme.
This post was originally published in May 2021 and has been updated for content.
I love making summer cocktails, especially ones that can be easily made to serve a crowd. This drink has the perfect pink color and would be great for a Summer BBQ, baby shower, as well as brunch!
Serve it alongside grilled chicken caprese for family dinner, lemon olive oil cake for brunch or whipped ricotta with lemon for a Summer cookout!
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🍋 Ingredient notes
- Lemon juice - I always prefer fresh lemon juice for the perfect fresh, tart flavor. Store-bought can also be used if needed.
- Cranberry juice - A little bit of cranberry juice gives this drink its perfect pink color as well as some additional tartness.
- Simple syrup - Simple syrup is a 50/50 mix of water and sugar that is heated until the sugar is dissolved. Since the sugar dissolves in the water, this makes for a perfectly sweet lemonade that doesn't have that gritty texture from undissolved sugar. I infused this simple syrup with fresh thyme for a light, herbal flavor. However, the thyme can be omitted and plain simple syrup can be used instead.
- Club soda - The addition of club soda to this recipe gives this drink a nice fizzy and refreshing taste. Alternatively, water can be used if you don't want the fizz or sparkling wine or champagne could be used for an extra bubbly treat!
📋 Substitutions and variations
- Non-alcoholic - Replace the vodka with more club soda.
- Punch - Double the recipe and serve it in a punch bowl.
🍹 Step by step instructions
Combine the water, sugar and fresh thyme sprigs in a pot on the stovetop until it begins to boil. Lower the heat, simmer for 5 minutes, then discard the thyme sprigs and cool it completely in the refrigerator.
Combine the fresh lemon juice, cranberry juice, vodka and cooled simple syrup into a beverage pitcher and stir to combine.
Add club soda and stir gently to combine. Serve pink vodka lemonade over ice, garnished with a fresh thyme sprig and a lemon wheel, if desired.
If you ever don't recognize a tool or skill that is mentioned, be sure to look it up in our Glossary of Cooking Terms and Definitions for more information.
⭐ Expert tips
- Don't let the simple syrup boil to hard or too long or the sugar syrup will get too thick and have a bitter taste.
- Add the club soda last so everything is well combined before adding the fizzy liquid.
- When adding the club soda, be careful not to pour too quickly and stir too vigorously so it doesn't overflow over the top.
⏲️ Make ahead and storage instructions
This pink vodka lemonade can be made up to 24 hours ahead of time without the club soda. When it's time to serve, stir in the club soda and serve over ice!
Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for 1-2 days, however, it will lose it's fizz over time.
🥂 More cocktail recipes
If you loved this recipe for pink vodka lemonade, check out these other cocktail recipes that I know you will love.
- Sgroppino Cocktail
- Italian Sangria Recipe
- Grapefruit Cocktail with Elderflower
- Rossini Prosecco Cocktail
Recipe
Pink Vodka Lemonade
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup white sugar
- 5 sprigs fresh thyme
- 12 ounces vodka
- 1 ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- ½ cup cranberry juice
- 4 cups club soda
- lemon wheels and fresh thyme sprigs, for garnish
Instructions
- Combine water, sugar, and fresh thyme sprigs in a medium pot and heat on the stovetop over medium heat. Once the mixture starts to bubble, reduce the heat to low and allow to simmer for 5 minutes. Remove off of the heat, discard the thyme, and place the simple syrup in a container in the refrigerator to cool.
- In a large pitcher, combine fresh lemon juice, cranberry juice, vodka, and cooled simple syrup. Stir to combine.
- Add in club soda and stir gently to combine.
- Serve over ice with a lemon wheel and fresh thyme sprig for garnish, if desired.
Notes
- Don't let the simple syrup boil to hard or too long or the sugar syrup will get too thick and have a bitter taste.
- Add the club soda last so everything is well combined before adding the fizzy liquid.
- When adding the club soda, be careful not to pour too quickly and stir too vigorously so it doesn't overflow over the top.
Substitutions and Variations
- Lemon Juice - Fresh lemon juice is preferred, but store bought will also work.
- Simple Syrup - Fresh thyme can be omitted for plain simple syrup.
- Club Soda - Water can be used for less fizz or sparkling wine or champagne could be used for an extra bubbly treat!
- Non-alcoholic - Replace the vodka with more club soda.
- Punch - Double the recipe and serve it in a punch bowl.
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