Spiked Strawberry Lemonade: Your New Favorite Recipe
Summer sips don’t get better than this. Spiked Strawberry Lemonade is the cocktail equivalent of sunshine in a glass—vibrant red, bursting with fresh strawberries, cooled by mint, and smartly boozed with vodka. Each sip tastes like a summer day, and the best part? It’s cray easy to make.
Whether you’re poolside, patio-ing, or just craving a grown-up slushie, this cocktail has your name written all over it. So let’s shake, stir, and sip our way into summer with this sunshine-ready recipe!
Ingredients
Here’s everything you’ll need to make about 8 servings (2.5-quart pitcher):
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water (for simple syrup)
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and halved (or thawed frozen berries)
- A handful (10–12) fresh mint leaves, plus extra for garnish
- 1½ cups freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 6–8 lemons)
- 4 cups cold water
- 1–1½ cups vodka, depending on how boozy you like it
- Ice
- Optional garnish: lemon wedges, strawberry slices, mint sprigs
Key Ingredients
Let’s kick things off with what makes this cocktail shine—each ingredient brings flavor, color, or personality!
Fresh Strawberries
When in season, these are your flavor bombs. They add vibrant color, natural sweetness, and that unmistakable strawberry zing. Off-season? Thawed frozen berries work perfectly, too.
Fresh Lemon Juice
The tart backbone of your drink. Whether you squeeze it by hand or use a juicer, fresh is best—it balances all the sweetness.
Mint Leaves
Mint adds a refreshing, cooling finish and a beautiful green fleck throughout the pitcher. Plus, it looks gorgeous as a garnish.
Simple Syrup
Sweetens the drink evenly, without gritty sugar at the bottom. Dissolve sugar in water, and you have a smooth, sweet foundation.
Vodka
Keeps it clean, keeps it crisp, and doesn’t compete with your fruit flavors like other liquors might.
How to Make Spiked Strawberry Lemonade
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
5 minutes
Servings
6
1. Make the Simple Syrup
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is fully dissolved (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature (about 30 minutes).
Pro tip: Make a double batch, store it covered in the fridge for up to a month—great for smoothies, cocktails, or iced tea.
2. Blend Strawberries & Mint
In a blender or food processor, combine the strawberries and mint leaves. Blend until smooth. If you prefer a seed-free cocktail, pour mixture through a fine mesh sieve, pressing gently to extract juice while leaving pulp behind.
3. Mix the Cocktail
In a large pitcher, pour the cooled simple syrup, strawberry-mint puree, lemon juice, 4 cups cold water, and vodka. Stir gently to combine everything.
4. Taste & Adjust
Take a sip! If it’s too sweet, add more lemon juice. Too tart? Stir in a bit more simple syrup. Too strong? Add more cold water or ice.
5. Serve Over Ice
Fill ice-filled glasses with your cocktail, then garnish with lemon wedges, strawberry slices, and mint sprigs. Bonus points if you toss a strawberry on top of the ice!
Ways to Enjoy Spiked Strawberry Lemonade
This cocktail is versatile—check out these creative twists your guests will love:
Strawberry-Lemon Fizzes
Top off individual glasses with sparkling water or club soda for a bubbly, less boozy option.
Frozen Strawberry Lemonade
Blend the cocktail base with ice in a blender for a slushy treat—perfect for hot days.
Skinny-ish Version
Skip the simple syrup and sweeten with a sugar substitute or honey, adjusting to taste.
Sangria-Style
Add sliced peaches or citrus fruits and let the mixture sit in the fridge for an hour. Serve like a light fruit sangria.
Lemon Juice Pops
Freeze leftover cocktail into ice pops or cubes for later sipping or use in other drinks.
Tools to Elevate Your Cocktail Game
Want to take your cocktail ritual up a notch? These tools help streamline everything from prep to pour:
| Product | Why It’s Awesome |
| Electric Citrus Juicer | Makes squeezing dozens of lemons effortless and fast. |
| High-Speed Blender | Great for pureeing strawberries and mint quickly and smoothly. |
| 2.5 Quart Glass Pitcher | Big enough for large batches and looks great on the table. |
| Long Cocktail Stirrer | Helps blend flavors evenly in deep pitchers. |
| Plus-Size Ice Cube Trays | Larger ice cubes melt slower, keeping your drink stronger longer. |
As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases—grateful for your support!
Tips & FAQs
Here’s how to make your spiked strawberry lemonade legendary every time:
Keep it Chill
Use cold water and serve over ice immediately to keep flavors crisp and refreshing.
Flavor Efficiency
Strawberries with green stems on top? Puree them for a deeper flavor! Don’t waste edible parts.
Mint Refresh
Bruise or tear mint leaves before blending to unlock maximum flavor.
Make-Ahead Notes
Make the strawberry-lemonade base (sans vodka) ahead and store it covered in the fridge. Add vodka before serving to keep it fresh.
Preservation Tips
Store any leftovers in an airtight pitcher in the fridge for up to 2 days. Re-stir before serving to remix flavors!
FAQs
Why You’ll Love This Spiked Strawberry Lemonade
This cocktail hits all the right notes:
- Sweet + Tart balance – fresh fruit meets zesty lemon with a splash of sweetness.
- Made with real fruit and mint – better flavor, better color, no artificial nonsense.
- Customizable – adjust sweetness, strength, or fizz to suit your mood.
- Make-ahead friendly – perfect for parties or relaxing afternoons.
Final Thoughts & Cheers to Summer
Spiked Strawberry Lemonade isn’t just a drink—it’s a summer celebration in every sip. Whether you’re routine chilling on the patio, hosting a backyard bash, or daydreaming of poolside cocktails, this drink delivers major refreshment and major flavor.
So gather the ingredients and get ready to toast to sun-drenched afternoons, warm breezes, and a summer that tastes like strawberries and sunshine.
Go ahead—pour, garnish, and sip your way into the season’s best cocktail.
Tag your creations on Instagram @AdultingLikeAGrownUp—I can’t wait to see those masterpieces!
More Classic Cookout Combo Recipes:
- The Best Hamburger Patty Recipe (Thick or Thin!)
- The BEST Grilled Hot Dogs You’ll Ever Make
- Classic Potato Salad – A Quick & Easy Recipe
- S’mores: The Ultimate Guide
- Homemade Lemonade: A Simple Recipe
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