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Spiked Triple Berry Basil Lemonade: Your Ultimate Refreshing Summer Cocktail

Embrace the vibrant essence of summer with a drink that perfectly balances sweetness with a delightful tang – our irresistible Spiked Triple Berry Basil Lemonade. This ultimate warm-weather concoction features the unique and festive notes of Smirnoff® Red, White & Berry vodka, expertly blended with zesty lemonade and a medley of fresh, sun-kissed berries. Each sip offers a burst of refreshing flavor, making it an essential addition to your backyard barbecues, poolside gatherings, and festive holiday celebrations.

There’s truly nothing quite like unwinding on a balmy afternoon with a tall, frosty glass of lemonade. Its classic sweetness and invigorating tang are the perfect antidotes to summer heat, quenching your thirst and soothing your spirit. It was precisely this idyllic vision that inspired the creation of this Spiked Triple Berry Basil Lemonade – a cocktail designed to elevate that simple pleasure into an extraordinary experience.

For those who have followed along with our culinary journey for a while, you might recall a similar post from earlier days. As my blogging adventure approaches its second anniversary, I found myself revisiting old favorites. While the original photos certainly captured the essence, I felt this beloved recipe deserved a fresh perspective and a complete revamp. And let me assure you, the updated version is absolutely spectacular – richer in flavor, more visually appealing, and even easier to prepare!

The Star of the Show: Smirnoff Red, White & Berry Vodka

Last summer, I discovered a profound love for SMIRNOFF Red, White & Berry while crafting my Triple Berry Mojitini. The moment I tasted its unique blend of cherry, citrus, and blue raspberry, I knew it was destined to become a summertime staple. This vodka isn’t just a spirit; it’s a celebration in a bottle, perfectly encapsulating the joy and vibrancy of the season. Its distinct flavor profile makes it an ideal choice for this lemonade, adding layers of complexity and a truly festive touch that nothing else can quite replicate.

Nothing evokes the feeling of summer quite like the dynamic duo of fresh berries and zesty citrus. As berries begin to burst forth in abundance at local markets and grocery stores, I find myself on cloud nine. Soon, we’ll be heading out for strawberry picking, and our kitchen, along with this blog, will transform into a berry-filled paradise. Expect to see an array of delightful recipes, from elegant trifles and delicate cream puffs to exciting Moscow Mules, all designed to make the most of nature’s sweet bounty. The anticipation is almost as sweet as the berries themselves!

Given that Memorial Day is just around the corner, followed closely by the Fourth of July, starting this Spiked Triple Berry Basil Lemonade with SMIRNOFF Red, White & Berry vodka felt like the only appropriate choice. Its patriotic colors and celebratory flavors truly embody the spirit of these holidays, making every sip a toast to summer and national pride.

Entertaining Made Easy: Pitcher-Perfect Summer Drinks

This recipe for Spiked Triple Berry Basil Lemonade is an absolute dream for entertaining, primarily because it’s designed to be made pitcher-style. This means you can effortlessly serve up to eight guests with a single batch, making it ideal for any gathering. My best advice? Double the recipe! Its incredibly refreshing and utterly delicious taste means your guests will almost certainly reach for a second glass. And because I know how hectic party prepping can be, especially when hosting for a holiday, I’ve ensured this recipe is super simple to follow. It’s a win-win: minimal effort for maximum enjoyment!

Ingenious Berry Basil Ice Cubes: The Secret to Undiluted Flavor

To begin, we’ll craft some ingenious berry basil ice cubes. Simply take an ice cube tray, fill each compartment with a few fresh berries and some thinly snipped basil, then top with lemonade before freezing until solid. I absolutely adore this technique for all kinds of beverages. When you use frozen cubes made from the actual liquid of your drink, you prevent any unwanted dilution, ensuring that every sip maintains its full, vibrant flavor from start to finish. I particularly love applying this method when making homemade cold brew coffee, but it works wonders here too!

Crafting the Perfect Basil Lemon Syrup

After your berry basil ice cubes are chilling in the freezer, it’s time to prepare our fragrant basil lemon syrup. My initial thought was to simply boil basil leaves directly with lemonade, but I quickly realized that creating a separate syrup would offer you much greater control. This method allows you to precisely adjust the amount of sweetness and basil flavor that goes into your Spiked Triple Berry Basil Lemonade, ensuring it’s perfectly tailored to your taste preferences.

Once your basil lemon syrup is prepared, allow it to cool completely to room temperature. When it’s cool enough to handle, grab a spacious pitcher and combine the chilled lemonade, the distinct Smirnoff Red, White & Berry vodka, and your freshly made basil lemon syrup. Give it a good stir to ensure all the flavors are beautifully integrated, and just like that, your refreshing summer cocktail is ready to serve!

As I hinted earlier, with Memorial Day upon us and the Fourth of July quickly approaching, I added a touch of festive flair to my presentation. I found these adorable patriotic straws at Target’s dollar spot, which were a perfect fit. I also tossed in a few extra fresh berries to the glasses, as the berry ice cubes hadn’t quite melted yet, ensuring a truly beautiful and enticing presentation. These small details really elevate the experience, making each glass a miniature celebration.

These cocktails were an absolutely huge hit when I served them last week during a trial run before our official Memorial Day party. I have no doubt what we’ll be leisurely sipping on all summer long: this delightful Spiked Triple Berry Basil Lemonade. I sincerely hope you’ll join us in making it your go-to beverage for all your summer festivities!

Spiked Triple Berry Basil Lemonade

Cook 10 mins

Inactive 1 hour

Total 1 hour, 10 mins

Author Megan Marlowe | Strawberry Blondie Kitchen

Yield 8 servings

Refreshing and delicious, this Spiked Triple Berry Basil Lemonade is a perfect balance of sweet and tart. Smirnoff® Red, White and Berry vodka mixed with tart lemonade and fresh, sweet berries is the ultimate summertime cocktail!

Ingredients

Berry Basil Ice Cubes

2 cups of lemonade
handful of berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, cherries)
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, cut into thin strips

Basil Lemon Syrup

4 ounces fresh basil leaves
4 cups water
2 cups sugar
6 strips lemon peel

Triple Berry Basil Lemonade

8 cups lemonade (store bought or homemade) (I love Minute Maid 15 calorie)
1 1/2 cups Smirnoff Red, White & Berry vodka
1/2 cup Basil Lemon syrup

Instructions

Berry Basil Ice Cubes

Place lemonade into ice cube tray and place a few berries into each cube along with a few strips of fresh basil.
Place into freezer until solid.

Basil Lemon Syrup*

In a medium sauce pan, combine all ingredients and bring to a boil. Stir until sugar is dissolved.
Turn off heat and allow to cool to room temperature.

*You will have extra as this makes about 5 cups of syrup. We use it to sweeten our tea, lemonade and cocktails. It won’t go to waste!

Triple Berry Basil Lemonade

In a large pitcher, combine lemonade, Red, White and Berry vodka and basil lemon syrup. Stir to combine.
Place 4 ice cubes into high ball glass and pour in Triple Berry Basil Lemonade. Garnish with extra berries, basil and a cute straw (if desired).

Notes

Basil Lemon Syrup Slightly adapted from Epicurious

Courses Cocktail

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 8 servings

Amount Per Serving
Calories 142
% Daily Value
Sodium 15 mg		1%
Total Carbohydrates 11 g		4%
	Dietary Fiber 1 g	4%
	Sugars 9 g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Sip Smart: A Light and Flavorful Option

The simplicity of making this Spiked Triple Berry Basil Lemonade means you truly have no excuse not to try it! Not only is it incredibly easy to prepare, but it’s also wonderfully party-friendly and absolutely screams summer fun. And here’s another fantastic bonus: I use Minute Maid 15 calorie lemonade as my base. Thanks to this smart choice, each serving of this delightful recipe boasts 0g of fat and a mere 142 calories. I’d say that makes for a pretty light and guilt-free cocktail, allowing you to indulge in summer festivities without compromise.

SMIRNOFF Red, White & Berry vodka is incredibly versatile and delicious, whether you enjoy it chilled as a shot for a quick burst of flavor or expertly mixed into your favorite drink for a delightful berry citrus twist. Its refreshing taste and vibrant essence make it a perfect complement to this lemonade, enhancing every facet of the cocktail experience.

Triple Berry Basil Hard Lemonade