There's nothing quite like a glass of cold lemonade on a hot summer day. Unless it's a glass of cold Blueberry Vodka Lemonade! This summer cocktail is the perfect balance of tart and sweet and can also easily be made into a blueberry lemonade mocktail.
(This recipe for Blueberry Vodka Lemonade was originally posted in June 2014, but the post has been updated with new photos and content.)
Sometimes I wonder if guests coming into our home for the first time think my husband and I may have a teeny tiny alcohol problem. We have an ungodly amount of liquor on our family room bar-top; we're talking 30 bottles or so. Not to mention, the inside of the bar is packed full of wine.
The thing is, most guests don't go down to my basement... Where there's another pretty large stash of liquor. But seriously, if we're being honest, I probably have a drink 2-3 times a week and most of those times it's just one glass of wine or one beer.
But because I love making cocktails so much, I like to have my bar fully stocked, so when I need elderflower liquor, I have elderflower liquor. And when I need campari, I have campari. And when I want to sip on a glass of Fernet-Branca after a long day, I don't have to leave my house to get it (side note, do you like fernet?? It's a highly controversial digestif, but I LOVE it).
Always be prepared is the Girl Scout motto and while they probably didn't mean that sentiment to be followed by, "so when you want a cocktail, you have a fully stocked bar," but I'm owning it. Something tells me that if the Girl Scouts tried this blueberry vodka lemonade cocktail, they'd be fully on board. I think you will be, too.
You'll also be quite happy to hear that you don't actually need a fully stocked bar in your home to make this cocktail a dream come true. Just vodka!! And if you're a cocktail drinker/maker, chances are you already have vodka at home. It's kinda one of those must-haves.
How to Make Blueberry Simple Syrup
OK, even if you're not a big cocktail drinker, you still need to make this blueberry simple syrup and just keep a jar of it in your fridge. I love this blueberry vodka lemonade and other blueberry cocktails, but I'd also be totally happy with a virgin blueberry lemonade mocktail, too. It's the perfect drink for kids or for sitting out on your deck in the sun.
You can also add the simple syrup to soda water for a delicious water that will basically taste like blueberry pie.
To make the simple syrup, just put sugar, water, and blueberries in a medium-size saucepan and bring mixture to a boil. Once the mixture is boiling, lower the heat and let it simmer for about 15 minutes, until the mixture thickens.
Then, strain the mixture into a bowl, being sure to press down on the blueberries to extract as much juice as possible. Keep syrup in bowl or pour into a mason jar and place in fridge to cool completely before using.
Blueberry Vodka Lemonade Cocktail Recipe
Once you have the simple syrup made, this blueberry cocktail will literally take you 10 minutes to finish. The hardest part is juicing the lemons.
Obviously, how much juice a lemon contains depends on how large and juicy your lemons are, but you should be able to get about 4 oz. juice from a lemon, which means one lemon will make two of these cocktails.
Now, put 2 oz. lemon juice, 3 oz. water, 2 oz. blueberry simple syrup, and 1.5 oz. vodka in an ice-filled shaker, shake it up, and then pour them into an ice-filled cocktail glass.
Garnish with more blueberries and a lemon wedge, if you want!
How to Substitute Ingredients
This blueberry vodka drink is super easy to make, but if you want it even quicker, here are a couple easy tips:
- Use store-bought blueberry simple syrup. If you don't want to make the simple syrup and wait for it to cool, there are a couple store-bought options you can keep in your pantry. Here's an affiliate link to one option for blueberry simple syrup.
- Use store-bought lemonade instead of squeezing lemons. However, note that most store-bought lemonades have a lot of sugar in them and when you add in the blueberry simple syrup, it will make a cocktail sweeter than the one detailed in the recipe. You may need to add more water to the cocktail and experiment to get a flavor profile you like.
How to Make a Blueberry Vodka Lemonade Pitcher Cocktail
This recipe is written as a "small batch" cocktail, meaning that for the ingredients listed, it only makes one cocktail. However, the blueberry simple syrup recipe makes enough for about 6 cocktails, so it's easy to make this drink into a pitcher cocktail.
Here are the ingredient breakdowns to make this cocktail a pitcher drink:
- 1 batch blueberry simple syrup
- 1 ½ cups lemon juice
- 2 ¼ cups water
- 1 ¼ cup vodka
You can also feel free to add more vodka to make this a stronger drink! Just be sure to taste it first 🙂
I'm absolutely obsessed with the color of this cocktail! I've noticed that every time I've made the blueberry simple syrup, it comes out a slightly different hue and I have to say this is my favorite color yet. It's just such a happy cocktail.
I'm in love with this blueberry vodka lemonade in large part because of the balance of flavors involved. It's a little bit tart from the lemon, but also nice and sweet from the blueberry simple syrup. Basically everything I love in life.
We pretty much ONLY drink Tito's Vodka in my house because my husband is obsessed. He's all hipster about it and constantly talks about how he drank it before anyone else knew about it (insert eye roll emoji here). But it's fine because I love it, too, and the price is always right.
I do love the recipe as a single serving cocktail because it's so hard to find small batch lemonade recipes and sometimes you just want a glass of vodka lemonade to cool down with on a hot summer day without having to spend hours juicing lemons!
Do you have a fully stocked bar at home?
I'd totally share photos of my bar with you, but I'm slightly embarrassed. LOL!
If you love vodka cocktails, be sure to check out my Earl Grey Vodka Cocktail and my Grapefruit Blood Orange Cocktail. I also really love this Boozy Watermelon Mint Lemonade from Host the Toast.
Blueberry Vodka Lemonade
Ingredients
- Ice
- 2 oz. freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 3 oz. water
- 2 oz. blueberry simple syrup (recipe below)
- 1 ½ oz. vodka
Blueberry Simple Syrup
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup blueberries
Instructions
- In a shaker filled with ice, combine lemon juice, water, blueberry simple syrup, and vodka. Shake well.
- Pour cocktail into two glasses filled with ice. Garnish with additional blueberries and a lemon wedge.
Blueberry Simple Syrup
- Put sugar, water, and blueberries in a medium-size saucepan and bring mixture to a boil. Once boiling, lower heat and let simmer for about 15 minutes, until the mixture thickens.
- Strain the mixture into a bowl, being sure to press down on the berries to extract as much juice as possible. Keep syrup in bowl or pour into a mason jar and place in fridge to cool completely before using.
Notes
- Blueberry simple syrup recipe should make about 6 cocktails.
- To make this into a pitcher cocktail, I recommend the following:
- 1 batch blueberry simple syrup
- 1 ½ cups lemon juice
- 2 ¼ cups water
- 1 ¼ cup vodka
How refreshing! I enjoy blueberry vodka too!
I may just have to try this one Sues........after being in Austin for a month I have come to really appreciate TIto's.......smooth is the word!
Good luck with the move........excited for you both!
This was our signature cocktail at my wedding!! My colors were plum & gold so it went perfectly and was SOOOO delicious! I'll definitely have to create at home 🙂
Congrats on the house!!! So exciting. I do love purging when I move, but I hate the time it takes to do so. But it is always worth it!
Packing to move - UGH. We're in the middle of that currently, and I think I'd love nothing more than to plop down on our couch (...once it's out of storage) and sip on a blueberry vodka lemonade or three. That blueberry simple syrup sounds incredible, and I love that it makes a single serving of the lemonade portion. Good luck with your move - and congrats on the house!
Everyday of the week could use one of these drinks!!!
That looks so good! I could use one right about now and it's not even 9, lol!
dang that looks good
Good luck with your move. Your cocktail will certainly be welcomed when you are in your new home after the movers leave.
I love that the first thing you brought over was the liquor cabinet contents! I so wish I could drink this right now.
I detest packing to move. BUT you are right, it causes you to purge. You need this lemonade for what you are doing. It looks like grand drink to me.
We've moved three times in the past month as we wait for our condo to be rehabbed. Unfortunately it looks like we have another 3-4 more weeks to wait but at least only one more move. My question is how long the blueberry simple syrup might last in the refrigerator? In case we don't gulp it all down at once...
@Robin- Ah, that's so frustrating! But congrats on almost being there! I would say this should last a month in your fridge. Maybe even longer, but it should definitely be good for at least a month!
It's already so hot where I live - this is so refreshing! Will be on repeat all summer 🙂
I love cocktails like this and have a bar similarly stocked like yours. And some of the bottles actually have dust on them! Lol This is exactly the type of cocktail I love from 5e hot Florida days and since I have a ton of blueberries on hand it seems the perfect time to try this. Cheers!
Made these last night for my fiancé and she loved them..... and so did I haha! Great recipe!
Tried this out tonight for a party we’re having in a month. What would a recipe be for making a pitcher?
@Lara- Hi! The simple syrup recipe makes about 6 cocktails, so for a pitcher with 6 servings, I'd do: 1 batch simple syrup, 1 1/2 cups lemon juice, 2 1/4 cups water, and 1 1/4 cup vodka. Obviously you can add more vodka if you want it a little stronger! I'd keep it chilled in a pitcher in the fridge and then pour into individual ice-filled glasses.
I had one fresh juicy organic lemon, 8 oz of fresh juicy sweet blueberries. I don’t have granulated sugar in my house but I do have Limoncello liquor~!! This is a spin to this recipe for those who want to make 3 cocktails without adding granulated sugar!!
Add one whole fresh lemon, 8 oz blueberries, 2 shots Grey Goose, 1 shot limoncello, 1 cup crushed ice BLEND. Pour 1/3-2/3 cups of blend into a lovely crystal goblet and top by adding 1/3 cup of Pellegrino water. AMAZING
Too much sugar. Can I cut that down?
@Kevin- You can definitely cut it down, but note that you are only using 2 oz. of the simple syrup in each cocktail. The lemon obviously makes things tart, so you'll want some sweetness to cut it like in any lemonade. I'd start with 1 oz. of the simple syrup and see how it is with that! Make sure you don't cut down the amount of sugar in the simple syrup recipe- just use less of it in the drink.
I’ve made this for my wife, twice. The second time was better than the first. Some how, it doesn’t last long. ? Thanks for sharing this! It’s a go to now! I be shared the recipe and I’ll be making a batch for our next gathering with friends.
does anyone know if i can use smuckers blueberry syrup for this recipe?
@Connor- I think you could! I've never heard of this syrup before, but I just looked it up and it looks pretty similar!
Hi there,
Just wanted to let you know that a Beachbody "coach" named ShortSassyStrong stole one the pics from this recipe, posted it as her own for the new Beachbody Energize Mixed berry flavor on Instagram. I have a screenshot as proof.
Your blog is wonderful and beautiful, it's a shame that a shady MLM-er steal artwork to scam others.
Thank you SO much for letting me know and for your sweet words! I messaged her and asked her to remove it. You are the best for recognizing it and bringing to to my attention! Xoxo
This blueberry lemon vodka is really good. I would love to try my hands on it. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Is the color actually red like it is in these photos? I am having a themed party with red yellow and black so this looks like the perfect match. Thanks in advance!
@Rose- Yes! I'd say it can vary between purple and red depending on your blueberries, but I've made this several times and mine is generally pretty close to this shade.
I loved this cocktail, I made it this year for my birthday. Since I have a blueberry bush in my backyard, there was no better way to use my blueberries than make a refreshing drink. So I was in bliss because I was trying to see what type of cocktail to make with my blueberries....of course I made a bunch of other things too. Great recipe and my color turned out more like a purple fushia very pretty!!!
Sounds awesome. Can you suggest how to revise recipe if I already have prepared lemonade?
@Kim- A little bit depends on just how sweet your lemonade already is, but I would use 4 oz. lemonade, 2 oz. blueberry simple syrup, 1 1/2 oz. vodka, and 1 1/2 oz. water. Taste it after adding everything and make sure it's to your liking. You can always add more water if it's still too sweet! You can also add more vodka if you want (sometimes I add 2 oz) 🙂
I have an excess of limes. Do you think this would be good with lime juice instead of lemon juice?
@Penny- I do!! I love limeade and think blueberry limeade would be delicious!