Raspberry Vodka Lemonade

Made with homemade raspberry simple syrup, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and vodka, this refreshing Raspberry Vodka Lemonade will be your new favorite summer cocktail!

(This recipe for Raspberry Vodka Lemonade was originally posted in June 2013, but was updated with new photos in 2022).

Jump to:

• ❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
• 🗒 Ingredients
• 👩‍🍳 How to make raspberry simple syrup
• 🍋 How to make raspberry vodka lemonade
• 🧊 Can I make this with frozen raspberries?
• 🛍 Can I use store-bought lemonade?
• 🛒 Can I use store-bought raspberry syrup?
• 🎉 How to make pitcher cocktail
• 🍹 Can I make a virgin raspberry lemonade?
• ☀️ More summer cocktails
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

It didn't occur to me until after I made, drank, and started writing about this cocktail that I don't like raspberry vodka. I'd never in my right mind order a drink out that contained the words "raspberry" and "vodka" in it.

But I made one. And became obsessed with it. And didn't even think it was slightly odd. The reason is pretty obvious….. fresh raspberries. Which absolutely do not equal artificially flavored raspberry vodka.

I don't like artificially flavored raspberry anything. But fresh raspberries? Are one of my favorite things in the world.

This summer, all I want is raspberry vodka lemonade with fresh raspberries. OK, maybe I'll need some water in between. And a blueberry vodka lemonade from time to time, too. And some raspberry shortbread cookies. Happy summer, indeed.

❤️ Why you'll love this recipe

If you love raspberries and are looking for the perfect summer drink, this recipe is for you!

Not only is it simple to make, but it includes fresh ingredients, making it very easy for you to adjust and control the sweetness and overall flavor. Instead of using store-bought lemonade or a mix, this drink is made with fresh lemons!

The vodka lemonade is incredibly refreshing and is the best summer cocktail. Of course, if you prefer a mocktail or a drink for kids, you can leave the vodka out and turn this into a simple homemade raspberry lemonade.

🗒 Ingredients

You don't need too many ingredients to make raspberry vodka lemonade. You simply need to make a raspberry simple syrup and an easy homemade lemonade. Here's everything required:

• Granulated Sugar
• Water
• Fresh Raspberries (can substitute frozen)
• Freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Vodka
• Ice

👩‍🍳 How to make raspberry simple syrup

Start by making the raspberry simple syrup as it needs time to cool. I have an entire post detailing the process of making the syrup, but it's incredibly easy.

All you need to do is put sugar, water, and raspberries in a medium-size saucepan and bring to a boil. Once boiling, lower heat and let simmer for about 10 minutes, until mixture has thickened a bit.

Strain mixture into a bowl, being sure to press down on the berries to extract as much juice as possible. Either keep the syrup in the bowl or pour into a mason jar and place in fridge to cool completely before using.

I detail a lot of different things you can make with this raspberry syrup, but my favorite use for it is in this vodka lemonade!

🍋 How to make raspberry vodka lemonade

Really, the toughest part of this cocktail is squeezing the juice out of all those lemons... Which, come on, isn't really that bad.

You need about 2 oz. lemon juice per cocktail (and you can typically get 2 oz. in a juicy lemon).

When I'm making this drink for company, I'll juice all my lemons at once (scroll down a bit to see how to make this raspberry vodka lemonade a pitcher cocktail).

Now that your raspberry syrup is cooled and your lemon juice is squeezed, you're ready to make your drink.

In an ice-filled shaker, put 2 oz. lemon juice, 3 oz. water, 2 oz. raspberry simple syrup, and 1.5 oz. vodka.

Shake it up, and then pour into an ice-filled cocktail glass.

I am not lying when I say this is my new all-time favorite sweet drink. It's PACKED full of fresh raspberry flavor, but also has a bit of the tartness from the fresh lemon juice.

The best of both worlds.

Though there's obviously some added sugar from the simple syrup, think about all the vitamin C this drink contains? You should sip on it for that reason alone!

Of course, you should taste the drink and adjust it to your liking. Want a stronger drink? Add in more vodka! Need it to be sweeter? Add more simple syrup. Think the sweetness should be cut a bit? Add more water or lemon juice.

It's so easy to customize this drink to exactly how you like it.

🧊 Can I make this with frozen raspberries?

Yes! Though it may not be quite as pretty with that fresh raspberry garnish, you can definitely make the syrup with frozen raspberries.

🛍 Can I use store-bought lemonade?

This is a great question, and the answer is yes, but you may have to do a bit of experimenting to get the sweetness level you want.

Store-bought lemonades often have a lot of sugar in them and when you add in the raspberry simple syrup, it will make a cocktail sweeter than the one detailed in this recipe.

You may need to add more water to the cocktail and experiment to get a flavor profile you like.

🛒 Can I use store-bought raspberry syrup?

Sure! There are lots of options for store-bought raspberry syrup, including this one and this one.

🎉 How to make pitcher cocktail

This raspberry vodka lemonade is the perfect summer party drink, so you may want to make a big pitcher of them instead of making them one at a time.

The syrup recipe makes about 1 ¼ cups of syrup and with 2 oz. of syrup in every drink, that will get you 5 cocktails.

If you have one batch of syrup, here's how you can easily turn it into 5 cocktails:

• 1 batch raspberry simple syrup
• 1 ¼ cups lemon juice
• 2 cups water
• ¾ cup-1 cup vodka (do less for a weaker cocktail and more for a stronger one!)

You can easily double the syrup recipe and double all other ingredients above for 10 servings of the drink.

I recommend stirring together all the ingredients in a pitcher and keeping in the fridge. Pour the drink into ice-filled glasses when ready to serve.

This raspberry slushie is also great to make for a crowd!

🍹 Can I make a virgin raspberry lemonade?

This recipe is absolutely delicious without the vodka and will make a homemade raspberry lemonade the whole family can enjoy.

To make alcohol-free, simply leave the vodka out. You can replace with a little more water, lemon juice, and simple syrup if you want.

☀️ More summer cocktails

Are you totally in summer mode and craving all the yummy summer drinks that are perfect for sipping in the sun? Here are some of my favorites:

• Blueberry Vodka Lemonade
• Key Lime Mojito
• Blueberry Coconut Margarita
• Tequila Thyme Lemonade
• Lavender Lemonade Floats
• Watermelon Rosé Slushies
• Strawberry Coconut Daiquiri
• Frozen Peach Margaritas
• Cucumber Lemonade with Basil
• Grapefruit Mint Margarita
• Shaken Watermelon and Passion Tea

This drink makes me wish I had a house with a front porch. And I could sit on my porch with this in hand and pretend I lived somewhere life was a little bit slower and simpler. And there was always time to watch the sun set on a summer evening.

What summer cocktails are you looking forward to?

📖 Recipe