Go Back

Spiked Strawberry Lemonade

Spiked strawberry lemonade made with fresh strawberries simmered into a deep-pink simple syrup, then whisked with lemon juice for a bright, tart drink. Finished over crushed ice with vodka or silver tequila and optional sparkling water for a light fizz.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
chilling 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Drink
Cuisine: American
Calories: 180
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Strawberry Simple Syrup
  • 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
  • 0.5 cup granulated sugar
  • 0.5 cup water
Fresh Lemonade
  • 1 cup fresh lemon juice about 6–8 lemons
  • 3 cup cold water
  • 0.25 cup granulated sugar or to taste
For the Cocktail
  • 0.5 cup fresh lemonade
  • 3 tbsp strawberry simple syrup
  • 1.5 oz vodka (or silver tequila)
  • 1 ice crushed or cubed
  • 1 sparkling water optional
  • 1 fresh strawberry slice for garnish
  • 1 lemon wheel for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan
  • 1 stand mixer
  • 1 Dutch oven

Method
 

Make the strawberry syrup
  1. Combine hulled and halved fresh strawberries, granulated sugar, and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir gently and bring to a simmer, then press strawberries with the back of a spoon as they soften.
  2. Continue simmering for 8–10 minutes, pressing again as needed, until the mixture turns deep pink and looks broken down. Remove from heat.
  3. Cool the syrup completely before straining. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve, discard solids, and refrigerate until ready to use.
Make the lemonade
  1. Whisk fresh lemon juice, cold water, and granulated sugar together until the sugar fully dissolves. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
  2. Chill the lemonade until ready to use. Keep it refrigerated until cold.
Build and serve
  1. Fill a tall glass generously with crushed ice. Make sure the ice forms a thick bed for fast chilling.
  2. Pour in 1.5 oz vodka (or silver tequila). Then add 3 tbsp strawberry simple syrup.
  3. Pour in 1/2 cup fresh lemonade and stir gently with a long spoon to combine. Stir just enough to blend without melting the ice too quickly.
  4. Top with a splash of sparkling water for a little fizz if desired. Garnish by placing a fresh strawberry slice on the rim and adding a lemon wheel.
For a pitcher (6–8 servings)
  1. Multiply vodka, strawberry simple syrup, and lemonade quantities by 6–8 and combine them in a large pitcher over plenty of ice. Stir well.
  2. Serve immediately for best flavor, or refrigerate up to 2 hours. Add sparkling water just before serving to keep it fizzy.

Notes

Pro tip: Strain the syrup while it’s still warm for a smoother texture, then cool completely so it blends cleanly over ice. Refrigerate strawberry syrup and lemonade separately up to 5 days; the mixed pitcher is best within 2 hours, and leftovers don’t freeze well due to texture changes. For a lower-sugar option, reduce granulated sugar in both the syrup and lemonade (taste as you go) and keep the ratios the same for structure.