Lemonade Vodka Club Soda

I have always preferred light drinks that are not overly sweet, and this strawberry lemonade vodka club soda has the perfect balance of fruity and citrusy with bubbly and refreshing. The best part? It’s so easy to make, with just a few simple ingredients and five minutes of your time.

This vibrant and easy-to-make cocktail tastes just like summer in a glass. It’s perfect for making a big batch for weekend barbecues or poolside parties or to fix a glass for yourself to wind down at the end of the day. It’s my drink of choice for casual brunches with my girlfriends, where I serve strawberry scones and fancy croissant French toast casserole.

The combination of fresh, sweet strawberries, crisp vodka, and bubbly soda makes it the perfect cocktail for casual and easy entertaining. No shaking or fancy bar tools are required, just fresh berries and simple ingredients that you probably have on hand. This drink has quickly become a warm-weather favorite in my house; I can make it sweeter or drier. The recipe is so versatile that I can always adjust it based on my mood and cravings.

Why you will love this recipe 

• Full of fresh fruit: I love cocktails with fresh fruit. Especially fruit that can be seen. It brightens up the drink, adding color and flavor.   
• It looks elegant, but it’s easy: Even though it looks like it was made by someone who knows what they are doing, anyone can make these. Just follow my simple instructions. 
• Just a few ingredients: My recipe has five ingredients, including vodka and club soda. 
• Goes with anything: With fresh fruits, this drink goes with various strawberry or lemon recipes.

What you will need

• Vodka – I prefer Kirkland Signature American Vodka for its fresh, clean taste. 
• Club soda – I highly recommend reduced sodium club soda.
• Lemons – I use sweet Meyer lemons cut into rounds and wedges. 
• Strawberries – I usually get a whole bin of strawberries and use 10 for drinks, the rest for snacking, or to make my delicious strawberry shortcakes to go with these cocktails. 
• Mint leaves – To add a refreshing taste and aroma with a slightly sweet flavor when muddled. They also look and smell lovely as garnish. 

How to make 

Add the fruit and mint: First, I add five sliced strawberries, five mint leaves, and one lemon wedge to each large glass. I usually add ¼ teaspoon of sugar or honey, because I like it a bit sweet. 

Muddle: Next, I use a muddler or the back of a spoon to crush the fruit and mint, which releases the oils and juices.

Liquids: I top that with ice, vodka, club soda, and one lemon round before stirring to combine. 

Garnish and serve: I garnish with fresh strawberries and serve immediately. 

Expert tip

Using fresh and frozen berries

I strongly recommend using fresh lemons and strawberries, if possible, with this recipe. Most importantly, you must muddle the ingredients to get all the refreshing flavors into the drink. Frozen strawberries can be used with the same flavor, but the garnish will not look as nice. 

I recommend using frozen fresh strawberries instead of ice. Add them to an ice tray, pour lemonade on top, and freeze. This way, when the ice melts, it will not water down the drink. I am a big fan of Simply Lemonade or Cascadian Farm organic lemonade, and they would work perfectly in this drink.

More tips to consider

• Any size glass will do, but this recipe’s measurements are made for a Tom Collins glass, which is about 11.5 ounces.
• Consider straining the drink with a fine mesh sieve before serving it if it is cloudy. 
• To make the drink less bitter, add some more lemon or sugar. 
• Chill the ingredients and the glasses before serving the drink.
• Multiply the ingredients and make this drink in a pitcher for a party.

Recipe variations and add-ins:

• Other fruits: I have made it with other fruits and berries, such as limes, oranges, raspberries, cherries, and blackberries. They all taste amazing. 
• Flavored vodka: Use strawberry-flavored vodka for an extra strawberry taste or another flavor to make it even more interesting. Absolut makes one called Absolut Juice Strawberry Edition, which is scrumptious.
• Add lemonade: Make this lemonier by adding lemonade to it.
• More booze: Scotch is smoky with hints of dried fruits. For a little more dimension, add a light rum. Some gin can add floral layers. Or bourbon would give it a sweeter vanilla and caramel hint. 
• Herbs for the win: Not only do herbs add flavor and freshness, but they also make the drink look prettier and more elegant. Try some lavender, rosemary, basil, or thyme.

Serving suggestions:

It is always good to serve snacks with alcohol, and these easy-to-make crispy mac and cheese balls are perfect for any occasion. They only take 30 minutes to make. But my blueberry lemon muffins with lemon glaze pair well with this cocktail when served for brunch.

This is the perfect summer cocktail for a light meal like oven-baked mahi mahi or peach salmon. The sweet and citrusy flavors also go well with this strawberry orzo spring salad and lemon chimichurri pork chops. For dessert, I recommend this lemon ricotta cake or a dollop of my sweet, tangy strawberry sorbet.

How to store leftovers:

• Refrigerate: If you make extra, save leftovers in a sealed container, such as a jar or a pitcher with a lid. They will stay fresh for up to three days.  
• Freezing: To keep it longer, put lemonade in a freezer bag. It will be good for up to a month. It will not turn into a solid ice block but instead be more like a slushie, which is also good.   
• Defrost: There is no need to defrost if serving as a slushie. Let it thaw in the fridge for several hours or overnight to serve as a drink. 

Frequently asked questions

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