Best Pink Lemonade Vodka Cocktail Recipe (+ Mocktail)

by Kathleen Pope Dec 31, 2024

Our 5-minute pink lemonade vodka cocktail is made with fresh, all-natural ingredients. This drink skips the high fructose corn syrup found in pink lemonade concentrate for a lighter, healthier twist. It’s super easy to whip up, whether you’re making a single glass or a whole pitcher. Plus, we’ve included mocktail instructions too. Cheers to a refreshing, guilt-free sip!

If you love lemon you are going to go crazy over my Lemon Icebox Pie (No bake), these Old-Fashioned Lemon Squares and Lemon Gelato Ice cream.

Pink lemonade vodka cocktail garnished with mint, lemon and a strawberry.

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Use fresh ingredients for the most refreshing Vodka Lemonade

This cocktail is my go-to for a quick and delicious beverage with only five ingredients, including a surprising one—vanilla extract—which adds a unique nuance that will have everyone asking for the recipe.

Some recipes rely on Sprite and pink lemonade concentrate, but mine uses fresh, all-natural ingredients for a healthier, more refreshing drink.

Quick and easy to make, it can be prepared by the glass or by the pitcher. It’s perfect for any occasion, whether a bridal shower, pool party, or FAC.

It can easily be transformed into a mocktail by omitting the vodka—it’s still so fresh! And I’ve got plenty of options for you to change it up and make it yours below. Come on, you know you want a glass!

I enjoy giving precise details in my recipe posts to lead my readers through any questions. If you’re just here for the printable recipe, use the Jump to Recipe to head straight there!

Welcome to #LemonWeek 2022 hosted by Lynn from Fresh April Flours and Rebecca from Devour Dinner. This week is sponsored by Rodelle and La Tourangelle. I received samples from these sponsors to help create my recipes. All opinions are my own.

Today’s recipe features Rodelle Vanilla, it’s amazing what a splash of vanilla does to a cocktail! Like my wildly popular Cherry Bomb!

I am featuring a brand new lemon recipe every day this week! Try them all! Easy Lemonade Bundt cake with cream cheese frosting, One Pot Lemon Garlic Pasta Recipe, Lemon Dump Cake and Italian Lemon Ricotta Cake.

Why You Will Love this Pink Lemonade Vodka Drink

All-natural, nothing fake and a few easy tips to make it even healthier!
Fresh and bright, perfect for bridal showers, summer gatherings or sipping on the patio.
It is the perfect summer cocktail! Light, bright using fresh squeezed lemon and lime juice.

Vodka Lemonade Recipe Ingredients

Full recipe and ingredients in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

Labeled ingredients for pink lemonade vodka drink.

Vodka | I used a lemon-infused vodka, to make it even more lemony (like Deep Eddy’s). Also try Pink Whitney Vodka from New Amsterdam Vodka, a pink lemonade-flavored vodka, Smirnoff Pink Lemonade or just use your favorite vodka!
Fresh Lemon Juice and Lime Juice | Fresh squeezed is essential in this recipe; bottled lemon juice has some off-taste. Combining lemon and lime gives it a punch of citrus for this vodka drink!
Red Juice | I used Pomegranate juice this time, but I have also used cranberry juice and cherry juice; they all work great and make a perfect fruity lemonade. See tips for light pink lemonade.
Vanilla Extract | A splash of vanilla brings this pink vodka lemonade to a whole new level and Rodelle Vanilla Extract is my favorite, also try my homemade bourbon vanilla – yum!
Mixer | I like using Sparkling Pink Lemonade from Trader Joe’s, but I have also used regular lemonade (love Simply Light Lemonade) as well as Limoncello LaCroix. See variations below for all kinds of ideas!
Garnish | Use lemon slices, lime slices, fresh strawberries, raspberries, a sprig of mint, blueberries, all will enhance this fruity cocktail!

Recommended Equipment

A pretty pitcher and a cocktail spoon are handy.
This citrus juicer is by far one of the most used tools in our house!
I love these Oxo mini measuring cups, great for cocktails and more!
Any pretty glass will work; I adore these Bormioli Rocco Bodega glasses pictured above.

How to Make Pink Lemonade Cocktail

In a large pitcher add citrus vodka (or regular if using), lemon juice, lime juice, Rodelle vanilla and your favorite mixer, stir gently to combine.

Pouring lime and lemon juice into the pitcher. — Pour lemon & lime juice into pitcher

Pouring in lemon vodka into pitcher. — Pour lemon & lime juice into pitcher

2. Fill glasses with ice, pour pink cocktail with vodka over ice into glass, garnish with lemon wheels, or a twist of lemon, a sprig of mint or your favorite fruit.

Pour sparkling beverage over other juices for pink lemonade vodka punch. — Add sparkling mixer.

Stirring gently the pink lemonade vodka drink. — Add sparkling mixer.

Variations and Substitutions for Pink Lemonade Vodka Drinks

This is the fun part, make it yours!

In place of pomegranate juice, use cherry juice, raspberry juice, guava juice, fruit punch (sweeter), or try my bright Strawberry Syrup.
Use all fresh squeezed lemon juice or all lime juice.
Instead of vodka, you can also use gin (try some of the botanicals) or light rum. Use tequila and make into a pink lemonade margarita
Change up your mixer; use pink lemonade, limeade, Sprite (or your favorite lemon lime soda), or your favorite sparkling water for this vodka punch recipe
Muddle some fresh raspberries and a sprig of mint or fresh thyme sprigs in the bottom of the glass.

Skinny Pink Vodka Lemonade Vodka

Instead of a sparkling lemonade or Sprite lemon-lime soda, use Key Lime LaCroix, Limoncello LaCroix, or club soda for a less sweet and skinny cocktail.

How to Make a Pink Lemonade Mocktail

The great news is they now make non-alcoholic versions of classic spirits — try this Seedlip Citrus for instance. Or you can certainly leave the vodka out altogether for a simple Pink Lemonade, add a little extra splash of sparkling lemonade or seltzer.

Hot Pink Lemonade vs. Light Pink Vodka Lemonade

To dial down the hot pink, simply cut your amount of fruit juice in half, adding just a little at a time until you have achieved the color desired. I personally love the bright pink look!

Vodka Lemonade Recipe Tip

Chill all ingredients for several hours before making this beverage and only add ice when serving.

Make Ahead Pink Lemonade Vodka Recipe

Combine the vodka, your red juice of choice, lemon and lime juices ahead of time and chill well in the fridge until ready to serve, when ready to serve pour lemonade or sparkling beverage stir gently to combine.

Pink lemonade in short bodega glasses with pitcher of pink vodka lemonade behind.

Ways to Serve Pink Vodka Lemonade

Double or triple this recipe for a crowd and serve in a pretty beverage dispenser.
This alcoholic drink is the perfect cocktail for a hot summer day, so light and refreshing, gorgeous in these hammered acrylic stemless wine glasses.
Great for a ladies night out, bridal shower, baby shower (but not for the momma to be).

Vodka Lemonade Storage

Store any leftovers in the fridge up to 5 days in an airtight container. Freshen it up by splashing in a little sparkling lemonade or sparkling water before serving.

Hand holding glass filled with bright pink lemonade vodka drinks, garnished with lemon, strawberry and mint.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is pink lemonade made from pink lemons?

Confession time, when I first saw this question, I thought this was a joke. But did you know there really is such a thing as pink lemons? They are a new variety with striped skin and pink flesh, however; the juice runs clear. So while you can certainly make pink lemonade from pink lemons, typically regular fresh lemons are used.

What flavor is pink lemonade?

The history of pink lemonade goes back to the 1800’s where they originally flavored and colored pink lemonade with cranberry juice, strawberry simple syrup or raspberry juice. It is now typically colored with red dye sadly, but not mine! This is an all-natural pink lemonade which mostly tastes like lemonade with a hint of a fruity flavor.

Can I make pink lemonade vodka punch by the glass?

Yes, this recipe makes 8 servings, use the toggle on the recipe card and reduce the number of servings to one. If you do that, perhaps try pouring the juices into a cocktail shaker with a little ice, shake 10-15 times, pour over ice and add your sparkling lemonade.

Gorgeous glass filled with bright pink vodka lemonade.

Lemon Facts

How to Choose the Best Lemons | Choose lemons that are firm, but yield to gentle pressure, with a smooth, thinner skin. The lemon should not have blemishes, be pale or have any green; this indicates unripeness. Good lemons for juicing, should be heavier relative to their size.
How Best to Store Lemons | Lemons stored on the counter, look pretty, but dry out within a week. Lemons stored in the fridge will last longer, about a week to 10 days, lemons stored in a sealed plastic bag last up to a month!
Zesting | It is much easier if you zest your lemons before cutting in half to juice them. Wash and dry lemons before zesting, and do not zest too far down, the white part, called the pith is bitter.
Juicing Lemons | To get more juice from your lemon, try these ONE of these two tricks: 1) Place lemon on cutting board or counter and firmly roll with palm of hand until it starts to yield slightly, OR 2) Place lemon in microwave for about 10 seconds, then roll and squeeze.
An average lemon contains about 2 ½ – 3 tablespoons of juice.
Check out this post for all the fun facts about lemons!

Beautiful glasses filled with pink lemonade vodka cocktail.

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Pink Lemonade Vodka Punch pin with image of large skinny pitcher filled with pink lemonade vodka drink.

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Best Pink Lemonade Vodka Cocktail Recipe (+ Mocktail)

Use fresh ingredients for the most refreshing Vodka Lemonade

Why You Will Love this Pink Lemonade Vodka Drink