Sparkling Pink Lemonade (with cocktail option!)

Make your own sparkling pink lemonade, with freshly squeezed lemons and from-scratch strawberry raspberry syrup, for an unforgettable summer cocktail or punchbowl.

At a glance

What stands out: It’s a fun and “berry” flavorful summer beverage!

How long it takes: 20 minutes, with an additional 30 minutes to chill the berry syrup.
Equipment you’ll need: saucepan, fine mesh strainer, pitcher
Servings: 16

We think we're in love with this sparkling pink lemonade. Isn’t it pretty? Light and refreshing, pink lemonade is a reliable summer drink. A great cocktail with the addition of vodka or kid-friendly without, it’s a enjoyable drink both kids and adults will appreciate.

Many sparkling pink lemonades get their “pink” from food coloring, grenadine, or cranberry juice. We think you’ll agree that this recipe is ten times better because of the addition of fresh fruit syrup.

Fresh strawberries and raspberries are simmered with lemon juice and sugar to make a berry flavored syrup that adds so much more than a pink hue to your drink.

Reasons to Love this pink lemonade

It’s not overly sweetened. One of the things we like best about this drink is that it isn’t too sugary. We lean toward summer drinks that aren’t heavily sweetened because sugar masks the natural fruit flavors and besides, who needs the extra calories? Non-sugary drinks seem to be a trend right now, too.

Carbonated seltzer drinks are popular. If you’re a fan of the flavored seltzer drinks that are popular right now (LaCroix, Bubly, Spindrift are a few examples), you’ll love this sparkling pink lemonade. The main ingredient is seltzer, which is sugar-free carbonated water. Water with bubbles!

With vodka or without, it’s a refreshing beverage. With freshly squeezed lemon juice and fresh berry syrup, the end result is a flavorful and light drink. And, of course, vodka is optional but nice.

Make the fresh berry syrup (best if you make it ahead). The fresh berry syrup is straightforward to mix and can be stored in the fridge. Simply simmer strawberries, raspberries, lemon juice, and sugar until the berries are soft and mushy, and the mixture is syrupy looking. Strain through a fine mesh strainer to remove the seeds and pulp.

Mix the remaining ingredients in when you’re ready to serve. The berry syrup is combined with more fresh lemon juice, lots of seltzer, and ice to make this rich fizzy berry lemonade.

Garnish with fresh strawberries, raspberries, lemon slices, or mint sprigs. Serve sparkling pink lemonade over ice in a pitcher, individual glasses, or in a punch bowl. A lemon twist is extra festive. Enjoy!

Make It Your Own

• Make as much as you need. Make a half-batch or a double batch. This recipe is easily halved or doubled.
• Use frozen berries instead of fresh.
• Substitute a flavored carbonated water, like LaCroix for the seltzer. Some flavors that would work evenly are Berry, Lemon, or Cran-Raspberry.
• Make it non-alcoholic (mocktail): Add more seltzer, if desired.
• Substitute tequila or white rum for the vodka, if you prefer.

Before you start

Make-Ahead Ideas

Squeeze the lemons and prepare the fresh berry syrup a day or two ahead and refrigerate in separate jars or containers. Right before serving, combine the ingredients as directed.

Note: Once the seltzer and ice are added, you should serve the drink as soon as possible. Leftovers may become watered down and flat.

• Yield: 16 cups
• Prep: 10 minutes
• Cook: 12 minutes
• Total: 52 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 cups sliced strawberries
• 1 cup raspberries
• 2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice, divided
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 liter bottle of seltzer water
• 1 cup vodka (see note)
• Ice

Method

1. Place strawberries, raspberries, lemon juice, and sugar in a sauce pan and heat over high heat until boiling. Reduce heat to low boil/high simmer and allow to simmer for 5-8 minutes, until mixture becomes syrupy. Stir occasionally. Berries should be pretty much liquified.
2. Strain mixture well through fine mesh strainer, pressing syrup out of berries. Allow berry syrup to cool at least 30 minutes or overnight in the fridge.
3. When ready to serve, pour seltzer water and vodka into a gallon pitcher, add 2 to 3 cups of ice and stir.
4. Pour berry syrup into pitcher and stir well. Serve over ice.
5. Garnish with berries, lemon slices, or mint sprigs. Makes 16 one cup servings including ice.

Notes

Non-alcoholic version : Replace vodka with the same amount of additional seltzer or plain water.

Fresh or frozen berries may be used to make berry syrup.

Berry syrup can be made up to a week ahead. It can be used to make individual drinks or a pitcher.