Pink Lemonade Vodka Cocktail

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

Cool down on a hot day with this sweet, pink and punchy tipple.

I’ve spoken before about how big a fan I am of lemonade. Freshly squeezed or sparkling, I can’t get enough of this citrusy and sweet beverage. On a hot, summer’s day, I’ve been known to drink gallons of it. If I’m at an amusement park, I need to have a tall, ice-filled tub of it as I hop from ride to ride. While scurvy might not be a modern-day concern, as it was for sailors of yesteryear, the amount of lemonade I ingest ensures it’s something I needn’t worry about.

My favorite lemonade is of the pink variety. I’m not sure I’d be able to tell the difference in a blindfolded taste test, but it could be fun to try. There’s something about the color, combined with the refreshing lemon flavors, that makes my mouth water. Even though the actual difference between this and original lemonade is just a little red food coloring, some varieties achieve their pink hue with the addition of strawberry, cranberry or cherry flavor.

The history of pink lemonade is pretty fascinating. And just like many cocktails, there are a few origin stories floating around out there. Laura Kiniry wrote a fantastic article for Smithsonian Magazine titled “The Unusual Origins of Pink Lemonade”, where she shares a few stories surrounding the invention of said drink. While they both involve travelling circuses of the 19th century, one is a little more appetizing than the other. The first tale claims a young man named Henry Allot, who ran away from home to join the circus, accidentally invented the popular drink when some cinnamon-flavored candies fell into a vat of regular lemonade. Rather than start over, the product was sold as “pink lemonade”.

The other, less savory story involves a lion tamer’s brother. When this fella ran out of water for his lemonade, he quickly grabbed a wash basin full of filthy laundry water that a performer had scrubbed her pink tights in. Marketing this new, rosy-colored drink as “strawberry lemonade”, the dirty beverage wound up being a hit and the sales doubled.

The cocktail we’ll be making tonight, the Pink Lemonade Vodka, thankfully doesn’t require any water that somebody’s nasty laundry was sitting in. In fact, I’d recommend finding a variety of the citrusy, tart drink that has zero associations with soiled clothing of any kind.

What is the Best Vodka to Use in a Pink Lemonade Vodka Cocktail?

I love using a rye version of this spirit when I mix up some cocktails. Vodka can almost disappear and take on the flavors it is being melded with, so a rye will stand out with its peppery notes. A potato variety will be creamier and smoother tasting, while a corn vodka will bring some subtle sweetness to your drinks. With a candied cocktail such as this one, it’s a good idea to try out the different styles of vodka to see what your palate prefers.

What glass and garnish are used?

You can drink your Pink Lemonade Vodka out of a rocks glass or a taller highball-styled one. Filled with ice, either one will keep your cocktail nice and cold. Add a lemon wheel on the rim for a little extra zing of citrus.

Can you shake this cocktail?

When you stir a cocktail, you are not only chilling it, but the gentle movement of the ice will softly dilute the drink. A shaken cocktail will have a cloudier appearance because of aeration, whereas a stirred one will be clearer and silkier in texture. It’s a matter of preference, really.

Similar Cocktails to the Pink Lemonade Vodka

If you can’t get enough of that sweet and delicious summer drink known the world over as lemonade, then you and I are in good company. Even something as simple as adding the tart, sweet juice to a glass of beer, creating a shandy, gets my tastebuds excited. If you enjoyed making and serving the Pink Lemonade Vodka, then check out some of these other recipes from Twist & Toast. They are guaranteed to be surefire hits at your next pool party.

• Jack Daniel’s Lynchburg Lemonade – This fizzy whiskey cocktail will help make those hot, summer nights unforgettable.
• Tequila and Lemonade – Add a little Southwestern flavor to your next glass of citrus refreshment.
• Bourbon Lemonade – Smoky, spicy and smooth, the Bourbon Lemonade is a robust favorite on a muggy and humid evening.
• Whiskey Lemonade – Take your favorite whiskey and just add lemonade for a perfectly simple cocktail.