Spiked Cranberry Lemonade is a simple, three-ingredient cocktail that’s perfect any time of year—light, refreshing and full of bright citrus and cranberry flavor.
Sponsored by Tropicana
If you follow me on social media, you might have seen updates about the “Fixer Upper” I bought with my husband Kurt. We handled all of the demo ourselves and then spent weeks waiting for the city permits to be approved. This week the permits finally came through, which meant the remodel could begin—definitely a reason to celebrate. I reached for a bottle of Tropicana lemonade and mixed a super-simple cocktail to toast the moment. It was so easy and so good that it’s now part of my regular happy hour rotation.
Table of contents
- Ingredients you’ll need
- Step by step instructions
- Tips and variations
- Food pairing ideas
- More cocktail recipes to try
Ingredients you’ll need
- Tropicana lemonade (or any quality bottled lemonade)
- Cranberry juice cocktail
- Vodka
- Ice
- Rosemary sprigs (optional garnish)
Step by step instructions
- Add lemonade, cranberry juice, vodka and ice to a cocktail shaker.
- Shake well until chilled, then strain into a glass filled with fresh ice.
- Garnish with lemon wedges and a sprig of rosemary, if desired.
The rosemary adds a subtle herbal note and a pretty finishing touch, but the cocktail is delicious without it. This recipe is designed to be quick and flexible—scale quantities to make a pitcher for gatherings or adjust the vodka for a lighter pour.
Tips and variations
- To make a pitcher: multiply the recipe by the number of servings you want, mix in a large pitcher, and serve over ice.
- Make it fizzy: top each glass with a splash of club soda or sparkling water for a refreshing effervescence.
- Swap the vodka: try gin for a botanical twist or light rum for a slightly sweeter profile.
- Lower the sugar: use diet or low-sugar lemonade and a 100% cranberry juice for fewer added sugars.
- Fruit-forward garnish: add fresh cranberries and lemon slices to the pitcher for color and a festive look.
- Chill ingredients: keep the lemonade and cranberry juice chilled before mixing so the cocktail stays icy without needing excessive dilution from shaking.
Food pairing ideas
This bright, slightly tart cocktail pairs especially well with grilled foods and casual summer menus. Try it with these favorites:
- Grilled bacon-wrapped shrimp and a grilled romaine salad
- Cheesy grilled potatoes alongside a marinated sirloin steak
- Grilled tri-tip with roasted or grilled Brussels sprouts
- Light seafood dishes, salads, and fresh summer vegetables
More cocktail recipes to try
If you enjoy this lemonade-based drink, add these recipes to your at-home bar rotation for variety and seasonal options:
- Lemon Berry Prosecco Sangria
- Cucumber Mint Vodka Cocktail
- Dad’s Famous Red Sangria
- Strawberry Daiquiri
- Long Island Iced Coffee
Spiked Cranberry Lemonade
Ingredients
- 3 oz Tropicana Lemonade
- 1 oz cranberry juice cocktail
- 1.5 oz vodka
- Ice
- Optional garnish: rosemary sprigs and lemon wedges
Instructions
- Add lemonade, cranberry juice, vodka and ice to a cocktail shaker.
- Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with fresh lemon wedges and rosemary sprigs, if desired.