Cupid’s Spiked Raspberry Lemonade Recipe is one of those irresistible drinks that feels like a celebration in a glass. Bright, tangy lemon blends with the sweet-tart kiss of raspberries, all elevated with a loving splash of vodka. I adore making this on sunny spring afternoons or when friends drop by for a cozy chat — it’s fresh, lively, and just the right kind of festive. Whether you’re craving a refreshing cocktail or an easy, crowd-pleasing party sipper, you'll find this recipe simple to follow and utterly delicious.
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What Makes This So Good
Cupid’s Spiked Raspberry Lemonade perfectly balances sweet, tart, and boozy with fresh, vibrant ingredients that brighten any occasion. I love how the raspberry puree adds a silky texture and rich color, while the fizzy finish keeps every sip uplifting and refreshing.
- Big Flavor, Minimal Fuss: This recipe uses simple blending and stirring — no complicated muddling or long infusions — to create a purposeful, flavorful lemonade.
- Family-Friendly: You can easily skip the vodka for a sparkling raspberry lemonade everyone will adore.
- Simple Ingredients: With just fresh raspberries, lemons, sparkling water, and a touch of sweetness, this keeps your grocery list short and sweet.
- Works Any Night: Whether it’s a chill weekend or a special date, this lemonade feels festive without feeling heavy or fussy.
Ingredient Guide
Choosing the right ingredients means your Cupid’s Spiked Raspberry Lemonade Recipe will shine just like you want — bright, fresh, and deeply flavorful. But don’t worry, you won’t need anything too fancy!
- Fresh or Frozen Raspberries: Fresh raspberries give a vivid pop of color and vibrant taste, but frozen work beautifully too and blend just as smoothly.
- Lemons: Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for that zesty brightness — bottled just won’t cut it here.
- Simple Syrup: Homemade is best (equal parts sugar and water heated until dissolved), but store-bought sugar syrup also works in a pinch.
- Sparkling Water or Club Soda: This adds the sparkle and breathes life into the drink; taste one before adding to make sure it’s fresh and fizzy.
- Vodka: Choose a clean, smooth vodka — it lets the raspberry and lemon flavors take center stage.
- Ice Cubes: Plenty of ice keeps your drink perfectly chilled and refreshing.
- Optional Garnishes: Mint leaves and extra raspberries add an inviting, pretty touch that’s easy and elevates your presentation.
- Sugar for Rimming Glasses: Sweeten the rim for a charming, tactile surprise with every sip.
Quick Reminder: Full measurements are in the recipe card below.
How to Make Cupid’s Spiked Raspberry Lemonade Recipe
Step 1 — Prep & Ready
Start by prepping your glasses to make your final presentation feel extra special. Run a lemon wedge around each rim, then dip into sugar for a sparkling edge — it’s a simple trick that feels celebratory. Next, blend your raspberries with a splash of water until completely smooth, then strain through a fine-mesh sieve. This step removes pesky seeds and leaves you with a silky, vibrant raspberry puree that tastes fresh and luxurious. While you set up your pitcher, squeeze fresh lemon juice (about 4-5 lemons)—the smell alone will lift your spirits. Gather your vodka, simple syrup, and sparkling water so everything is within easy reach.
Step 2 — Cook with Confidence
Actually, this recipe is more about assembling than cooking — which is part of the charm! In a large pitcher, combine your luscious raspberry puree, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and simple syrup. Stir gently but thoroughly, then taste-test. This is your moment to tweak the balance: add a hint more syrup if you like it sweeter or a splash more lemon juice if you prefer tang. When the flavor sings, stir in the vodka, folding it through carefully. Just before serving, pour in the sparkling water to give your lemonade that irresistible fizz — you’ll notice it brightens everything instantly. The aroma will be fresh, fruity, and a little intoxicating.
Step 3 — Finish & Serve
Fill your rimmed glasses with ice cubes — lots of them to keep every sip crisp and chilly. Pour the spiked raspberry lemonade over the ice, watching the bubbles dance and the colors swirl. Garnish with a couple of fresh raspberries and a sprig of mint if you like, which adds a pop of green against the pink hues and a cool herbal note as you inhale. Serve immediately to keep that sparkling sparkle shining bright. It’s this combination of textures and fresh aromas that really makes Cupid’s Spiked Raspberry Lemonade Recipe feel like a gift.
Extra Helpful Tips
I’ve learned a few tricks making Cupid’s Spiked Raspberry Lemonade over the years that really elevate the experience — and keep your prep smooth and stress-free.
- Watch for This Sign: When your raspberry puree looks glossy and deep pink with no seeds left behind, you know you’ve strained enough.
- Temperature Trick: Always add sparkling water last and just before serving so it retains its fizz and doesn’t go flat.
- Prep-Ahead Option: You can blend the puree and mix the lemon juice and syrup a day ahead — just hold off on adding vodka and sparkling water until serving.
- Avoid This Common Mistake: Don’t skip straining the raspberry puree; those seeds can make the drink gritty and distract from the smooth, fresh flavor.
Serve & Enjoy
Easy Enhancements
Want to jazz up Cupid’s Spiked Raspberry Lemonade Recipe? Try muddling a few fresh raspberries or mint leaves right in the glass before pouring for an extra burst of flavor and texture. A splash of elderflower liqueur adds a lovely floral note if you're feeling fancy. For a fun twist, use frozen raspberries instead of ice cubes — they keep drinks chilled without watering down the flavor. A tiny pinch of cayenne pepper in the mix can add a surprising warm kick, if you’re adventurous!
Tasty Pairings
Cupid’s Spiked Raspberry Lemonade pairs beautifully with light, fresh dishes. Think grilled chicken skewers glazed with honey and herbs, a crisp summer salad with feta and cucumbers, or even a flaky, buttery pastry. For snacks, salty popcorn or roasted nuts highlight the lemonade’s sweetness. If you’re keeping it casual, a charcuterie board with soft cheeses and fresh berries is an unbeatable companion.
Quick Plating Tips
Presentation is half the fun! Rimming glasses with sugar isn’t just pretty — it adds a sweet crunch that makes each sip feel a little celebratory. Garnishing with a mint sprig and a few whole raspberries gives your drink a pop of color and freshness. For a little extra flair, slide a thin lemon wheel onto the glass rim or thread raspberries on small cocktail picks as a playful edible decoration.
Store, Freeze & Reheat
Fridge Storage
You can store the blended raspberry-lemon juice mixture without vodka and sparkling water in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Just give it a good stir before using as some ingredients will naturally settle. After adding vodka and sparkling water, enjoy quickly — the fizz won't hold up well in storage, and fresh lemon flavor might fade.
Freezer Friendly?
Since this is a sparkling cocktail with fresh fruit, I don’t recommend freezing Cupid’s Spiked Raspberry Lemonade Recipe. The texture and bubbles won’t survive freezing and thawing, leading to a flat and watery drink.
Reheat Like New
This recipe is best served chilled and fresh — reheating won’t enhance it, and warming will dull the crispness and fizz. Instead, if you’ve stored the base blend without vodka and sparkling water, mix fresh sparkling water and vodka just before serving to keep that bright, lively character.
Cupid’s Spiked Raspberry Lemonade Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! Simply omit the vodka and add a bit more sparkling water or a splash of lemon-lime soda for sweetness and fizz. It’s just as refreshing and perfect for all ages.
Cut back on the simple syrup and taste as you go. You can always add a little more later if needed. Fresh lemon juice will naturally keep it bright and tangy.
Plain sparkling water or club soda works best to let the flavors shine without adding unwanted sweetness or flavor. Try to avoid strongly flavored soda waters unless you want a twist!
Yes! Frozen raspberries are great and often more affordable out of season. Just thaw briefly before blending for easier pureeing.
Final Flavor Thoughts
I hope you enjoy making and sipping this Cupid’s Spiked Raspberry Lemonade Recipe as much as I do. It’s a delightful companion for lazy afternoons and lively evenings alike. If you try it, please come back and leave a star rating or share your favorite tweaks — like maybe a hint of basil or even swapping vodka for gin! Cheers to delicious, sparkling joy in every glass.
Print📖 Recipe
Cupid’s Spiked Raspberry Lemonade Recipe
Cupid’s Spiked Raspberry Lemonade is a refreshing and vibrant cocktail that combines the tartness of fresh lemons with the sweet and tangy flavor of raspberries, enhanced with a splash of vodka for an adult twist. Perfect for warm days or festive gatherings, this sparkling drink features a delicate balance of fruity sweetness and citrus zing, beautifully presented with sugared rims and fresh garnishes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Beverages
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the Cocktail
- 2 cups fresh or frozen raspberries plus extra for garnish
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 4-5 lemons)
- ½ cup simple syrup (adjust for sweetness)
- 2 cups sparkling water or club soda
- 1 cup vodka
- Ice cubes
For Garnish and Presentation
- Mint leaves for garnish (optional)
- Sugar for rimming the glasses (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Glasses: Run a lemon wedge around the rim of each glass to moisten it. Then dip the rims into sugar for a decorative and sweet edge. Set the glasses aside to dry while you prepare the drink.
- Make Raspberry Puree: Blend 2 cups of raspberries with ¼ cup of water until smooth. To ensure a silky texture, strain the puree through a fine-mesh sieve to remove all seeds, leaving you with a smooth raspberry juice.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large pitcher, mix the raspberry puree with 1 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice and ½ cup of simple syrup. Stir thoroughly, then taste and adjust the sweetness or tartness by adding more simple syrup or lemon juice as preferred.
- Add Vodka: Stir in 1 cup of vodka into the mixture to spike the lemonade.
- Finish with Sparkling Water: Just before serving, gently stir in 2 cups of sparkling water or club soda to preserve the fizz and refreshing texture.
- Serve: Fill each prepared glass with ice cubes, then pour the spiked raspberry lemonade over the ice.
- Garnish: Add fresh raspberries and a sprig of mint to each glass for an appealing and aromatic finish.
Notes
- For a non-alcoholic version, omit the vodka and add additional sparkling water or lemon-lime soda.
- Simple syrup can be made by dissolving equal parts sugar and water over low heat and cooling before use.
- Adjust sweetness to taste depending on the tartness of your lemons and raspberries.
- Use fresh raspberries if possible for optimal flavor, but frozen can be used in a pinch.
- Chill all ingredients beforehand for a colder and more refreshing drink.
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