Lemonade Cocktail Recipes Perfect For Any Season
The truth is, National Lemonade Day might not have been that exciting this year had it not been for Beyonce and her epic movie/music release. The basic lemonade recipe has been popular for years: mix some simple syrup with fresh lemon juice and water. Make it pink by adding grenadine. All you have to do to spike it is add a few shots of vodka, tequila, rum or bourbon. Feeling feisty? Try Cognac. Jay-Z's D'usse is our rec.
In honor of Queen Bey, here are the cocktails you should be making to celebrate America's favorite tart beverage.
Bey's Berry & Basil
Summer's bounty of berries mixed with Blue Silver Tequila and pink lemonade make this both a fresh and fun way to do lemonade.
- 2 parts Sauza Signature Blue Silver Tequila
- 2 leaves of torn basil
- 2 sliced strawberries
- 2 parts pink lemonade
- Lemon Wedge
Preparation: Add ingredients to an ice filled shaker. Shake and strain over ice into glass and serve. Garnish with lemon wedge.
The Queen Bey
The Queen Bey, $13, is served at the Time Hotel's LeGrande Lounge and features lemonade, natch, that is spiked with, you guessed it, hot sauce. Blueberry vodka adds a hint more flavor and nods to baby Blue.
The Spicy Sandia
This cocktail, $16, mixed up at Bodega Negra at the Dream Downtown features a secret ingredient that is made in house and is most likely hiding in Beyonce's bag: habanero syrup. It's mixed with lemon juice and chunks of watermelon. Keep it somewhat kid-friendly without booze, or add some of your preferred spirit to the mix for a spiked version.
901 Club
Fellow pop star Justin Timberlake had a hand in creating 901 Tequila, so you can bet your Formation Tour tickets that he'll be drinking this on Lemonade Day.
- 1 part 901 Tequila
- 2 parts Iced Tea
- 2 parts Lemonade
- 1/4 part Agave Syrup
- Mint Sprig
- Lemon Wedges
Preparation: Combine all ingredients. Stir well. Serve over ice in tall glass. Garnish with mint sprig and lemon wedge.
Raspberry Lemonade
It doesn't get any easier when you've got Pinnacle's raspberry infused and flavored vodka. The bright tart taste of raspberry pairs perfectly with the sweet pucker of homemade lemonade.
- 1 part Pinnacle Raspberry Vodka
- 2 parts lemonade
- Raspberries for garnish
- Lemon wheel for garnish
- Preparation: Mix ingredients and serve over ice. Garnish with a lemon wheel and plenty of raspberries.
Shocking Shandy
The Hard Rock Cafe's LTO Summer Mason Jar Cocktails, available through Labor Day, are some of the place's most popular summer drinks . The Shocking Shandy is super easy to mix up at home with some flavored rum and lemonade.
- 2 oz Lemonade
- 1/2 oz Bacardi Orange Rum
- bottle of Shock Top Belgian Wheat Beer
- orange wedge for garnish
Directions: Fill mason jar with ice, lemonade and rum, and top with Shock Top Belgian Wheat Beer. Garnish with a speared orange wedge. Enjoy!
El Padre
The El Padre has two of Bey's favorite things: lemonade and hot sauce. Mix 'em both with some Hornitos tequila and smoky paprika and it's a swag-worthy drink you'll be sipping all day.
- 1 part Hornitos Plata Tequila
- 2 parts lemonade
- 3-4 dashes of green hot sauce
- Salt/smoked paprika rim
*Recipe yields 3 servings
Preparation: Rim shot glass with salt and smoked paprika. Mix chilled lemonade, chilled Hornitos Plata and hot sauce in mixing glass and pour into a tall shot glass.