Blueberry Lemonade Vodka Cocktail
This Blueberry Lemonade Vodka Cocktail is so easy to make, tastes delicious plus it’s beautiful to boot; perfect for summer!
The path to this Blueberry Lemonade Vodka Cocktail was serendipity. My daughter Emily had come back to Denver for a couple of days and I took some time off on Tuesday to join her and her husband Chris for lunch in historic downtown Castle Rock.
She chose Sienna, a restaurant in old Castle Rock and we lucked out; we had a wonderful lunch. As we were reading menus the waiter mentioned the special of the day; a prime rib sandwich with grilled onions and Gorgonzola cheese. Yes please…for all three of us!
We also ordered some crispy fried calamari that was perfect and the accompanying red chili lemongrass vinaigrette was light with a sweet and spicy taste. It was very reminiscent of the Mae Ploy Sweet Chili Sauce that I keep on hand in my fridge.
I don’t typically order a cocktail with lunch but when Emily ordered a Blueberry Lemonade Vodka Cocktail, it sounded so good that I was quick to follow suit. It was served in a martini glass and I have to say that sadly, it was the only disappointment of the day.
While they did garnish the drink with some blueberries, the ‘blueberry’ part of this cocktail was simply Pinnacle’s Blueberry Vodka; an inexpensive, clear, flavored vodka, quite possibly the one brand I would never buy. Not exactly what I expected…and combined with a lackluster lemonade it was just OK.
Trust me, I’m always happy to have a moment to get out and have someone else prepare food and drink for me, so I appreciated the company and enjoyed it…but thought I could do better on that cocktail.
Sadly, in the interim, the restaurant has closed and I forgot about my desire to do better. Someone mentioned the restaurant the other day and how sad they were that it was gone and that was my inspiration, it was time to make a Blueberry Lemonade Vodka Cocktail, perfect for any number of summer weekends when you’re having company and need a pitcher of something, not just one or two drinks!
The Simplicity of Good Ingredients
- Fresh blueberries for a blueberry simple syrup
- Good vodka (I like Ketel One)
- Lemonade made from concentrate; only lemons and sugar with no artificial ingredients
- Fresh lemon, mint, and blueberries for garnish
By George I think I’ve done it with this Blueberry Lemonade Vodka Cocktail! I upped the ante on everything too, combining blueberry simple syrup with lemonade and vodka and a splash of club soda for fizz.
While I will often juice lemons or limes for a couple of cocktails, this time around I made it even easier, using lemonade concentrate. I wanted a cocktail that is made in quantity for summer events and the lemonade was easy and good too. Win-win!
Remembering the days when I would die trying to get a restaurant to provide me with a recipe; now I’m thinking the tables have been reversed. If they were still around I’d have to offer this one to them!
Too bad Emily and Chris can’t easily circle back for one of these; it would have been fun for all of us to compare. I already know what I’ll be making for our 4th of July picnic…it’s perfect and so perfectly delicious.
More Favorite Summer Cocktails
PIN IT! ‘Blueberry Lemonade Vodka Cocktail’
Blueberry Lemonade Vodka Cocktail
Ingredients
Blueberry Simple Syrup
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup blueberries
Lemonade
- 12 ounces lemonade concentrate thawed
- 2 cups water chilled
To Serve
- 8 ounces vodka
- 1 liter club soda chilled
Garnish
- 3 ounces blueberries
- 8 slices lemon
- 8 sprigs mint
Instructions
To Make Blueberry Simple Syrup
- Combine granulated sugar and water in small saucepan over medium heat. Heat until sugar is dissolved.
- Add fresh blueberries and simmer for 5 minutes, until blueberries are breaking down.
- Pour blueberries mixture through a strainer into a small bowl; pressing to release all liquid. Let cool to room temperature.
To Make Lemonade
- Combine thawed lemonade concentrate and cold water and stir thoroughly.
- Refrigerate to chill.
To Make Cocktail
- Pour a little blueberry simple syrup in the bottom of serving glass, top with ice, pour in lemonade to 3/4 full and top off glass with club soda. Gently stir.
- Garnish with fresh blueberries, lemon slices, and mint sprigs.
I love this as a summer adult beverage! We experimented and froze the lemonade in ice cube trays- then put ingredients into the blender- great slushy beverage!
Nice…and great idea!
Sounds terrific!
I don’t see when you add the vodka. Is it mixed with lemonade or with club soda
Oops! It gets added with the lemonade, thanks for letting me know I’ll fix it in a second!
I’m making this tonight!
Love the idea of blueberry simple syrup! This looks like such a nice, refreshing drink — lotta flavor, and I like the fizzy water. Really good — thanks.
It really is really good! I do wish my kid had been here longer; she inspired it but didn’t get to taste it!