Looking for a cool drink to beat the summer heat? This Spiked Lemonade Slush Cocktail brings together that classic tangy lemonade flavor with a frozen, refreshing texture—and a welcome kick of alcohol.
The simple recipe needs only lemonade, vodka, ice, and a few garnishes, making it a solid pick for backyard barbecues or poolside lounging.
It’s honestly quick to throw together in a blender. The sweet-tart taste always seems to go over well with guests.
The slushy consistency is a bonus—it keeps your drink cold way longer than the usual stuff. Toss in some fresh berries or herbs as garnishes if you want to jazz it up or just make it look extra summery.
Spiked Lemonade Slush Cocktail Recipe
Equipment
- Blender
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Citrus juicer or reamer
- Cutting Board
- Sharp knife
- Freezer-safe container
- Cocktail glasses
- Stirring spoon
- Ice cube trays
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh lemon juice about 10-12 lemons
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 cups water divided
- 1 cup vodka regular or citrus-flavored
- 1/4 cup triple sec or orange liqueur
- 6 cups ice cubes
- Lemon slices and mint sprigs for garnish
Optional add-ins:
- 1/4 cup fresh berries strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries
- 2 tablespoons honey can substitute for some of the sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh mint leaves
Instructions
- Make the lemonade base: Combine lemon juice, sugar, and 2 cups of water in a large pitcher. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Add alcohol: Pour in the vodka and triple sec. Stir well to combine.
- Freeze the mixture: Transfer the mixture to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for 4-6 hours, stirring every hour to break up ice crystals. You want it slushy, not totally frozen.
- Blend and serve: When you’re ready, scoop the frozen mixture into a blender with the remaining 2 cups of water and the ice cubes. Blend until it’s smooth and slushy.
- Garnish and enjoy: Pour into chilled glasses. Top with lemon slices and mint sprigs if you’re feeling fancy.
Notes
Must Have Ingredients
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Tasting Notes
This Spiked Lemonade Slush Cocktail hits that sweet spot between sweet, tart, and just boozy enough. First sip? You get a blast of lemon that’s honestly kind of addictive.
The vodka gives a clean, smooth kick but doesn’t drown out the fresh lemon. If you make it right, the alcohol should be noticeable but not harsh or fiery.
It’s easy to tweak the sweetness to your liking. The recipe sits right between tart and sweet, which is usually a crowd-pleaser.
Flavor Profile:
- Primary: Fresh lemon, bright and zesty
- Secondary: Clean vodka notes
- Finish: Sweet, cooling
The frozen texture is honestly what sets this drink apart. Unlike regular cocktails, the slush melts slow on your tongue, letting the flavors hang around a bit longer.
Temperature matters a lot with this one. If it’s too frozen, you’ll be fighting to drink it; not frozen enough, and you lose that slushy magic.
The mint garnish? It’s not just for looks—it adds a fresh aroma that plays really well with the lemon. If you’re into herbal notes, try muddling a few mint leaves before mixing. It’s worth it.
Substitutes
If you don’t have vodka on hand, there are a few alternatives you can try for your Spiked Lemonade Slush. White rum, tequila, or even gin pair surprisingly well with the lemon flavor.
Want to skip the alcohol? Just leave out the vodka entirely. You’ll end up with a frozen lemonade treat that’s still plenty refreshing and honestly, sometimes that’s all you need.
No fresh lemons in the kitchen? Bottled lemon juice works in a pinch. Sure, fresh juice has that unbeatable zing, but let’s be real—bottled is way more convenient and still makes a pretty tasty drink.
Out of frozen lemonade concentrate? You can mix 1 cup of lemon juice with 1 cup of sugar, then dissolve it all in 2 cups of water. Freeze this mixture until it turns slushy, then toss in your other ingredients.
Alternative Sweeteners:
- Honey (about ¾ cup for every 1 cup sugar)
- Agave nectar (⅔ cup to replace 1 cup sugar)
- Simple syrup (just swap 1 cup for 1 cup sugar)
Feeling adventurous with color? Try blending in 1 cup of frozen berries. Strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries bring a gorgeous pink or purple hue, plus extra flavor.
Garnish options don’t have to stop at lemon slices. You could try:
- Mint leaves
- Fresh berries
- Lime wedges
- Edible flowers (if you’re feeling fancy)
