The azalea cocktail is THE Masters cocktail recipe. This pink vodka lemonade is a tart, slightly sweet and extremely refreshing. This spiked lemonade is famously served at Augusta National Golf Club every April.
Bring the golf tournaments signature classics home with this cocktail and pimento cheese sandwich!
There are four major golf tournaments each year and The Masters in Augusta, Georgia is probably the hardest and most elite one to go. I only know this because my bf is OBSESSED with golf and I hear about the lure every year.
If there is one thing that has peeked my interest, it’s the food served at The Masters.
I love how year after year it only serves the classics. It gives the same vibe as what In-N-Out is to Californians. While I hope one year we will make it to the tournament in person, we will continue to enjoy The Masters food classics at home- and you can to!
why the Azalea Cocktail is the perfect spring drink!
- Simple Ingredients – I think one of the reasons this drink is so popular is because it’s simplicity, it’s basically a very elevated vodka lemonade
- Light and Refreshing – this lemonade based drink makes each sip light and refreshing – making it one of the best spring cocktails and exactly what you want to sip at a hot golf course!
- THE Masters Drink – this iconic drink is so recognizable in the golf world. It’s elevated and seasonal for spring, break it out for any golf gatherings
- Big Batch it! We all know I love a big batch cocktail and this one is extremely easy to batch. I love that you don’t have to worry about any fizz falling flat and you can prep it the morning of or the night before and just give it a big stir before serving. Batch it for brunches, baby showers, you name it!
What is an Azalea Cocktail? (The classic masters drink explained)
- Stems from Rich Traditions- The Masters golf tournament is played at Augusta National which was founded on an old commercial nursery. All 18 holes are named after different tree, shrub or flower (kind of cute right?!) and hole 13 is the Azalea!
- It’s a Vodka Lemonade (but fancier) – this pink vodka lemonade is the base of the azalea cocktail. It’s lemonade (a high quality one), vodka (often sited as ketel one) and grenadine.
- Associated with spring: This spring vodka cocktail is known for being a spring drink because of its stunning pink color and this specific tournament is always the second Sunday in April.
Ingredients for an azalea cocktail:
- Lemonade: this is the base of the cocktail so either make a fresh batch or use a high quality lemonade. The Masters is typically known as a ritzy affair so don’t skimp on this!
- Vodka: word around the grape vine is The Masters make the azalea cocktail with Ketel One but it’s not officially known. You can use any mid-high tier vodka that you like!
- Grenadine: gives it a little fruity, sweet pink essence
- Garnishes: it’s typically garnished with a citrus wheel and a maraschino cherry
How to make (step by step):
- Add 1-2 scoops of ice to a cocktail shaker. Pour lemonade, vodka, and grenadine into the shaker.
- Shake the cocktail for 10-15 seconds or until the outside of the shaker is very cold.
- Strain into a glass filled with ice – the frosted cups at The Masters have become somewhat of a coveted souvenir, if I ever had a Masters themed party I would attempt to make them on my cricut! I feel like they would be pretty simple!
- Garnish with a lemon or orange wheel, maraschino cherry and a little fresh mint sprig
Tips, variations and make-ahead ideas:
- Perfect Batched Cocktail: the azalea cocktail makes for a perfect batched spring vodka cocktail. For eight drinks simply add 5 cups of lemonade, 1.5 cups vodka and 1/2 cup of grenadine to a pitcher or dispenser. Chill and serve with an ice bucket on the side and bowls of garnishes for a little DIY Self Serve Azalea station.
- Sparkling Version: You can swap out regular lemonade and use sparkling lemonade. This would not be true to the masters, but a little bubbly never hurt anyone.
- Swap in Gin: I actually think this would be a nice herbal, botanical touch and true to the drinks roots considering the golf course sits on an old nursery
- Non Alcoholic Version: if you need a non alcoholic version to serve as well, simply omit the vodka
Be sure to make this spiked lemonade with a pimento cheese sandwich for the perfect Masters menu combo at home! I seriously love seeing what you guys are making and sharing your creations with
the Everyday Elizabeth community!If you make the Azalea Cocktail or pimento cheese sandwich recipe, be sure to tag me on pinterest and instagram and leave a review below!
Azalea Cocktail
ingredients
- 5 fl oz lemonade good quality
- 1.5 fl oz vodka
- .5 fl oz grenadine
- maraschino cherry for garnish
- lemon wheel for garnish
- fresh mint sprig for garnish
instructions
- Add 1-2 scoops of ice to a cocktail shaker. Pour lemonade, vodka, and grenadine into the shaker.
- Shake the cocktail for 10-15 seconds or until the outside of the shaker is very cold.
- Strain into a glass filled with ice
- Garnish with a lemon, maraschino cherry and a little fresh mint sprig
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