I have always preferred light drinks that are not overly sweet, and this strawberry lemonade vodka club soda has the perfect balance of fruity and citrusy with bubbly and refreshing. The best part? It’s so easy to make, with just a few simple ingredients and five minutes of your time.
This vibrant and easy-to-make cocktail tastes just like summer in a glass. It’s perfect for making a big batch for weekend barbecues or poolside parties or to fix a glass for yourself to wind down at the end of the day. It’s my drink of choice for casual brunches with my girlfriends, where I serve strawberry scones and fancy croissant French toast casserole.
The combination of fresh, sweet strawberries, crisp vodka, and bubbly soda makes it the perfect cocktail for casual and easy entertaining. No shaking or fancy bar tools are required, just fresh berries and simple ingredients that you probably have on hand. This drink has quickly become a warm-weather favorite in my house; I can make it sweeter or drier. The recipe is so versatile that I can always adjust it based on my mood and cravings.
Why you will love this recipe
Full of fresh fruit: I love cocktails with fresh fruit. Especially fruit that can be seen. It brightens up the drink, adding color and flavor.
It looks elegant, but it’s easy: Even though it looks like it was made by someone who knows what they are doing, anyone can make these. Just follow my simple instructions.
Just a few ingredients: My recipe has five ingredients, including vodka and club soda.
Goes with anything: With fresh fruits, this drink goes with various strawberry or lemon recipes.
What you will need
Vodka – I prefer Kirkland Signature American Vodka for its fresh, clean taste.
Club soda – I highly recommend reduced sodium club soda.
Lemons – I use sweet Meyer lemons cut into rounds and wedges.
Strawberries – I usually get a whole bin of strawberries and use 10 for drinks, the rest for snacking, or to make my delicious strawberry shortcakes to go with these cocktails.
Mint leaves – To add a refreshing taste and aroma with a slightly sweet flavor when muddled. They also look and smell lovely as garnish.
How to make
Add the fruit and mint: First, I add five sliced strawberries, five mint leaves, and one lemon wedge to each large glass. I usually add ¼ teaspoon of sugar or honey, because I like it a bit sweet.
Muddle: Next, I use a muddler or the back of a spoon to crush the fruit and mint, which releases the oils and juices.
Liquids: I top that with ice, vodka, club soda, and one lemon round before stirring to combine.
Garnish and serve: I garnish with fresh strawberries and serve immediately.
Expert tip
Using fresh and frozen berries
I strongly recommend using fresh lemons and strawberries, if possible, with this recipe. Most importantly, you must muddle the ingredients to get all the refreshing flavors into the drink. Frozen strawberries can be used with the same flavor, but the garnish will not look as nice.
I recommend using frozen fresh strawberries instead of ice. Add them to an ice tray, pour lemonade on top, and freeze. This way, when the ice melts, it will not water down the drink. I am a big fan of Simply Lemonade or Cascadian Farm organic lemonade, and they would work perfectly in this drink.
More tips to consider
Any size glass will do, but this recipe’s measurements are made for a Tom Collins glass, which is about 11.5 ounces.
Consider straining the drink with a fine mesh sieve before serving it if it is cloudy.
To make the drink less bitter, add some more lemon or sugar.
Chill the ingredients and the glasses before serving the drink.
Multiply the ingredients and make this drink in a pitcher for a party.
Recipe variations and add-ins:
Other fruits: I have made it with other fruits and berries, such as limes, oranges, raspberries, cherries, and blackberries. They all taste amazing.
Flavored vodka: Use strawberry-flavored vodka for an extra strawberry taste or another flavor to make it even more interesting. Absolut makes one called Absolut Juice Strawberry Edition, which is scrumptious.
Add lemonade: Make this lemonier by adding lemonade to it.
More booze: Scotch is smoky with hints of dried fruits. For a little more dimension, add a light rum. Some gin can add floral layers. Or bourbon would give it a sweeter vanilla and caramel hint.
Herbs for the win: Not only do herbs add flavor and freshness, but they also make the drink look prettier and more elegant. Try some lavender, rosemary, basil, or thyme.
Refrigerate: If you make extra, save leftovers in a sealed container, such as a jar or a pitcher with a lid. They will stay fresh for up to three days.
Freezing: To keep it longer, put lemonade in a freezer bag. It will be good for up to a month. It will not turn into a solid ice block but instead be more like a slushie, which is also good.
Defrost: There is no need to defrost if serving as a slushie. Let it thaw in the fridge for several hours or overnight to serve as a drink.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make a pitcher of this lemonade vodka club soda?
Absolutely! I always do it when I have friends or family over. Just multiply the ingredients needed accordingly. My recipe card will multiply the ingredients on the “servings” slider. Move the slider to however many servings are required, and it will multiply the ingredients automatically. For example, if I move the slider to 20 servings, it calls for 10 ounces of vodka and 10 cans of club soda. Then, muddle the fruit in the bottom of the pitcher or the glasses before serving.
What is the best ratio of vodka to club soda?
Although the preference varies depending on how strong people like their drinks, I usually serve mine to guests at one part vodka to three parts club soda. If it is a party where they plan to have more than one drink, I like to make them lighter than that.
What can I use instead of a muddler?
Most people do not have a muddler unless they always make cocktails. I usually use a bar spoon’s flat end, which it is made for anyway. But the flat end of a wooden spoon is also a great choice. A mortar and pestle will also work for those who have them. Anything clean, flat, and smooth will do the job!
Why is my lemonade vodka club soda so bitter?
It could be from the lemon pith. When grinding the lemon, the white pith can cause bitterness to seep into the drink. Add some sugar or lemon juice. Next time, instead of using the whole lemon wedge, try leaving out the white part. The zest and the flesh have the most flavor, but the white pith has an awful bitter taste that can turn your drink into an unappealing cocktail.
More cocktails to try:
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2ozvodkaregular or strawberry flavored
2cansclub sodareduced sodium
2thinlemon roundspreferably sweet Meyer lemon
2lemon wedges
10fresh strawberriessliced
10fresh mint leaves
½teaspoonsugar or honeyoptional
Add 5 sliced strawberries and 5 mint leaves to each large glass. Add 1 lemon wedge to each glass. Optional: add ¼ teaspoon of sugar to each glass.
Use a muddler to crush the mint, strawberries, and lemon to release the mint oils and juice.
Fill a glass with plenty of ice, then pour in vodka and top it off with club soda.
For each glass, add a slice of lemon and stir well to combine.
Garnish with fresh strawberries and serve immediately.
Using fresh and frozen berries
I strongly recommend using fresh lemons and strawberries, if possible, with this recipe. Most importantly, you must muddle the ingredients to get all the refreshing flavors into the drink. Frozen strawberries can be used with the same flavor, but the garnish will not look as nice.
I recommend using frozen fresh strawberries instead of ice. Add them to an ice tray, pour lemonade on top, and freeze. This way, when the ice melts, it will not water down the drink. I am a big fan of Simply Lemonade or Cascadian Farm organic lemonade, and they would work perfectly in this drink.
More tips to consider
Any size glass will do, but this recipe’s measurements are made for a Tom Collins glass, which is about 11.5 ounces.
Consider straining the drink with a fine mesh sieve before serving it if it is cloudy.
To make the drink less bitter, add some more lemon or sugar.
Chill the ingredients and the glasses before serving the drink.
Multiply the ingredients and make this drink in a pitcher for a party.
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