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Looking for the perfect frozen cocktail to serve at your next summer gathering can feel like an endless search. Between juggling host duties, keeping the food flowing, and making sure everyone’s having a good time, the last thing you want is to be stuck playing bartender all afternoon.
That’s where this lemonade vodka slush comes to the rescue – it’s refreshingly simple to make ahead of time, serves a crowd with minimal effort, and has just the right balance of sweet and tart that keeps everyone coming back for seconds.
Why You’ll Love This Vodka Slush
- 3-ingredient simplicity – With just lemonade concentrate, vodka, and lemon-lime soda, you can create this refreshing cocktail without any complicated mixing or measuring.
- Make-ahead convenience – You can prep this slush hours or even days in advance, making it perfect for parties and summer gatherings – just freeze and serve when needed.
- Customizable serving options – Serve it as a slushy drink, or let it melt a bit for a more traditional cocktail consistency – it’s delicious either way.
- Perfect for crowds – This big-batch cocktail recipe makes enough to serve a group, saving you from playing bartender all night at your next party.
What Kind of Vodka Should I Use?
For a refreshing slush cocktail like this, you don’t need to break the bank on super premium vodka, but you’ll want to stick with a decent mid-range option. Standard unflavored vodka works perfectly here – brands like Smirnoff, Absolut, or Tito’s are all solid choices that won’t overpower the lemonade flavor. Stay away from flavored vodkas since they might clash with the pink lemonade concentrate. If you’re looking to make this drink a bit lighter, you can use citrus vodka, which will complement the lemonade nicely. Just make sure whatever vodka you choose is well-chilled before mixing it into your slush.
Options for Substitutions
This refreshing drink recipe is pretty adaptable – here are some easy swaps you can try:
- Pink lemonade concentrate: Regular lemonade concentrate works just fine here. You can also use other frozen concentrates like raspberry lemonade or even limeade for a different twist.
- Vodka: While vodka is ideal for this recipe, you can switch it up with white rum or gin. For a less boozy version, reduce the amount of alcohol or make it alcohol-free by just using extra soda.
- Lemon-lime soda: Any clear, fizzy drink will work! Try ginger ale for a slight kick, or club soda for less sweetness. Diet versions work too if you’re watching your sugar intake. Just add the fizzy drink right before serving to keep the bubbles.
- Making it non-alcoholic: To make this family-friendly, skip the vodka and replace it with water or extra soda. You’ll still get a tasty frozen slush!
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making
The biggest mistake when making lemonade vodka slush is using warm ingredients, which will prevent proper freezing and result in a liquid rather than a slushy consistency – make sure your lemon-lime soda is well-chilled and your frozen concentrate is properly thawed but still cold.
Another common error is adding all the soda at once during initial mixing, when it should actually be reserved to top off individual servings just before drinking to maintain the perfect fizzy texture.
To avoid an overly strong or weak drink, stick to the recommended ratios and remember that the mixture will become slightly diluted as it freezes, so don’t be tempted to add extra liquid.
For the smoothest texture, scrape the frozen mixture with a fork every few hours during the freezing process, and let the slush sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before serving to achieve the perfect scoopable consistency.
What to Serve With Lemonade Vodka Slush?
This refreshing cocktail calls for some tasty snacks that can hold their own against its sweet-tart flavor profile. Salty appetizers like pretzel bites, mixed nuts, or potato chips make perfect companions since they balance out the drink’s sweetness. I love setting out a platter of fresh fruit like strawberries, raspberries, and lemon wedges – they not only look pretty but also complement the citrusy drink perfectly. For something more substantial, light finger foods like bruschetta or cucumber sandwiches work great at any summer party where you’re serving this slushy cocktail.
Storage Instructions
Freeze: Pour your lemonade vodka mixture into a freezer-safe container and keep it in the freezer. Thanks to the alcohol content, it won’t freeze solid but will maintain a perfect slushy consistency. It can stay in the freezer for up to 3 months – just give it a quick stir before serving!
Keep Carbonated: Keep your lemon-lime soda separate and refrigerated until ready to serve. Only add it to individual servings when you’re ready to enjoy the slush. This way, the carbonation stays fresh and fizzy each time you serve it.
Serve: When it’s time to enjoy, scoop the frozen mixture into glasses and top with chilled lemon-lime soda. The ratio of slush to soda is up to you – start with 2/3 slush and 1/3 soda, then adjust to taste.
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 0 minutes |
| Total Time | 8-24 hours |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 2600-2800
- Protein: 0-5 g
- Fat: 0-5 g
- Carbohydrates: 300-350 g
Ingredients
- 1 (12 oz) can of thawed frozen pink lemonade concentrate
- 2 cups vodka
- 1 (2 l) bottle of lemon-lime soda
Step 1: Combine Ingredients and Freeze
In an empty one-gallon ice cream pail, combine your desired amount of lemonade concentrate, vodka, and a 2-liter bottle of soda.
Once mixed, place the pail into the freezer.
Allow the slush to chill for at least 8 hours, but you can prepare this up to a month in advance for convenience.
Step 2: Prepare to Serve
When you’re ready to serve, remove the ice cream pail from the freezer about 1 to 2 hours before serving time.
As the mixture begins to thaw, it will become easier to scrape and serve the slush.
Step 3: Serve the Slush
Using a ladle, scoop about 1 cup of the slush into each glass.
For an added fizzy refreshment, top with additional soda according to your preference.
Serve immediately for a cool, refreshing treat.