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Best Pink Lemonade Vodka Cocktail Recipe (+ Mocktail)

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A simple, 5-minute pink lemonade vodka cocktail! With a few simple ingredients, this fresh and all-natural pink lemonade vodka drink will become a summer favorite! This easy cocktail recipe can be made by the glass or pitcher! Mocktail instructions too!

Instead of using pink lemonade concentrate I focus on using ingredients that don’t contain high fructose corn syrup or are loaded with sugars, making this alcoholic lemonade on the skinny side.

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.

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, feel free to click “Jump to Recipe” right under the title of this post, and you’ll 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.

Simple 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!

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.

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.

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!

Fresh Tips

  • 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.

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.

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

Skinny Pink Vodka Lemonade Vodka

Yes! 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.

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.
Gorgeous glass filled with bright pink vodka lemonade.

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).

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.

More great citrus recipes

More Delicious Cocktails & Mocktails

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

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Pink lemonade vodka cocktail in short glasses with pitcher of punch behind.

Pink Lemonade Vodka Cocktail

Author: Kathleen Pope
4.95 from 20 votes
Looking for a simple, homemade pink lemonade vodka cocktail? With a few simple ingredients this fresh and delicious all-natural pink lemonade vodka drink will become a summer favorite! This easy cocktail recipe can be made by the glass or by the pitcher!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Cocktails, Drinks
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 146 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 cup vodka, (citrus vodka, Pink Whitney, regular or vodka alternative)
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice, fresh squeezed
  • 3 tablespoons lime juice, fresh squeezed
  • 1/4-½ cup Pomegranate Juice , like Pom, or cherry or cranberry juice (less for pale pink lemonade)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, Rodelle Vanilla
  • 4 cups sparkling pink lemonade, or regular or lite lemonade, flavored sparkling water, Sprite or lemon-lime soda
  • Ice , for serving
  • lemon wedge, garnish, or use fresh strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, wheel of lime, sprig of mint or thyme.

Instructions
 

  • In a large pitcher add chilled vodka, lime and lemon juice, pomegranate (or other red juice) and vanilla, stir to combine.
  • Pour in sparkling lemonade, soda or desired mixer and stir gently, pour over glasses filled with ice.
  • Garnish with your choice; twist or wheel of lemon, fresh strawberries, mint, thyme, raspberries, blackberries or blueberries

✱ Kathleen’s Tips

Chill all ingredients for several hours before making this beverage and only add ice when serving.
Skinny Pink Lemonade Cocktail
Instead of using a sparkling lemonade or Sprite lemon-lime soda, use Key Lime LaCroix or Limoncello LaCroix, or use club soda for a less sweet version.
By the Glass Pink Lemonade Vodka
This recipe makes 8 servings, use the toggle on the recipe card and reduce the number of servings to one. Try pouring the juices into a cocktail shaker with a little ice, shake 10-15 times, pour over ice, and add your sparkling lemonade.
Pink Lemonade Mocktail
Try this Seedlip Citrus a vodka/gin alternative. Or you can leave the vodka out altogether for a simple Pink Lemonade, adding an extra splash of sparkling lemonade or seltzer. 
Variations
  • 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.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving Calories: 146 kcal Carbohydrates: 19 g Protein: 0.1 g Fat: 0.1 g Saturated Fat: 0.02 g Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01 g Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01 g Sodium: 10 mg Potassium: 63 mg Fiber: 0.1 g Sugar: 17 g Vitamin A: 3 IU Vitamin C: 4 mg Calcium: 4 mg Iron: 0.04 mg

Nutrition Disclaimer

The Fresh Cooky is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Tuesday #LemonWeek Recipes

Kathleen Pope, The Fresh Cooky.

About Kathleen Pope

Recipe Innovator | Food Photographer | Food Writer

Hi, I’m Kathleen Pope. Here at The Fresh Cooky you will find easy, mostly from-scratch, trusted recipes for all occasions. From speedy dinners to tasty desserts, with easy step-by-step instructions. I am here to help teach you how to make mouthwatering recipes without spending hours in the kitchen. Read more about Kathleen here.

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