Spring and summer bring on all kinds of get-togethers. We've partnered with Smirnoff Red, White, & Berry to help you bring your entertaining game to the next level with easy, impressive cocktail recipes.
Even as a kid, I loved making what I called “frosty lemonade,” aka fresh lemonade and a bunch of ice, whizzed in the blender until slushy. Back in the day, I'm sure I used about six times the sugar I do now, but the appeal remains the same. When the temperature starts creeping up, there’s nothing more refreshing than a huge glass of something icy and tart.
Over the years I’ve realized my childhood favorite works great as a grownup drink. The sweet-tart drink works well with just about any kind of fruity or herbal flavors you want to dress it up with—grapefruit, peaches, strawberries or blueberries, mint, thyme, basil, are all strong contenders for tossing in the blender—or any booze you’d want to spike it with. (You can even be real fancy and combine all three flavor categories.)
The best part about frozen lemonade is that there’s no need to get too precise about it, even when it's spiked. Here's the method I usually follow: For six to eight servings, combine three cups of lemonade—or to make it a la minute, 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice, 1/2 cup simple syrup, and two cups of water—with six cups of ice in a blender. (You can also mix up one of these creative fresh lemonade renditions as a particularly flavorful base.)
Blend that on its own until slushy for a non-alcoholic refresher, or try with a few splashes of vodka and any fruit or herb you have on hand for an adult-friendly sipper. Below, I'm sharing my favorite version of late, which makes the best of summer's first berries. This big batch-friendly cocktail is one you'll return to all season...or if my track record is any indication, years to come.
| 24 | ounces lemonade |
| 6 | cups ice |
| 6 | ounces vodka |
| 1 | cup fresh or frozen strawberries, blueberries, or a mix of the two |
| 24 | ounces lemonade |
| 6 | cups ice |
| 6 | ounces vodka |
| 1 | cup fresh or frozen strawberries, blueberries, or a mix of the two |
Do you have any favorite crowd-friendly cocktail recipes? Share them in the comments!
Looking to shake up your cocktail routine? Smirnoff Red, White, & Berry is a new vodka that combines the flavors of tart citrus with sweet blueberries and cherries. Please drink responsibly. Smirnoff Red, White & Berry. Vodka infused with natural flavors. 30% Alc/Vol. The Sminoff Co., Norwalk, CT.
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