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    Home » Vodka

    Published: Apr 30, 2021 by Anna · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Vodka Strawberry Cocktails

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    This Vodka Strawberry Cocktail is like sipping summer in a glass! Fresh, juicy strawberries and fragrant basil leaves add major flavor while a splash of sparkling wine keeps every sip light and refreshing. Not too sweet, not too strong and oh-so-pretty, it's the perfect drink for hot summer days!

    Pink cocktails in lowball glasses filled with ice and garnished with strawberries and basil.

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    Warm weather calls for refreshing happy hour cocktails, and this Vodka Strawberry Cocktail beats the summer heat every time. A little bit fruity, a little bit bubbly and a whole lot flavorful, you'll be sipping these all season long.

    Jump to:
    • Why This Recipe Works
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • How to muddle fresh fruit and herbs for cocktails
    • FAQs
    • Expert tips for making Vodka Strawberry Cocktails
    • More Vodka Cocktails
    • Recipe

    Why This Recipe Works

    • Unlike rum and gin, quality vodka has a subtle flavor that doesn't usually conflict with the other ingredients. This allows the fresh strawberry and basil flavors to really shine.
    • Both strawberries and basil are at their peak in summer which means the star ingredients in this seasonal cocktail are easy to find.
    • This drink is extra refreshing thanks to a splash of sparkling wine or Prosecco. No wine? No problem! Swap in club soda instead.
    A single cocktail in a low ball glass . Garnished with fresh strawberries and basil.

    Ingredients

    Check out the ingredients in this tasty strawberry vodka drink:

    Ingredients for Vodka Strawberry Cocktails.

    A few ingredient notes:

    • Use the ripest berries you can find as they are easier to muddle than less ripe berries but you can also use frozen strawberries in a pinch. Just lightly defrost them before muddling.
    • Not familiar with Elderflower liqueur? We have a handy guide to bring you up to speed including additional drink recipes that use elderflower liqueur. It's a staple in our liquor cabinets. Our favorite brands are Drillaud and St. Germain.
    • You can use any sparkling wine in this recipe, including Prosecco or Cava. Don't have any bubbly wine on hand? Feel free to swap in club soda instead.

    Instructions

    This is a pretty straightforward drink to make: muddle, measure, shake and pour.

    Muddling strawberries and basil in a large mason jar.

    Muddle strawberries and basil in a large mason jar. Add ice and vodka.

    Hand pouring ingredients into mason jar filled with ice and muddled strawberries.

    Pour in elderflower liqueur, lemon juice and simple syrup.

    Hand shaking mason jar filled with cocktail and pouring into glass.

    Shake for at least 30 seconds before straining into glass and topping with Prosecco.

    How to muddle fresh fruit and herbs for cocktails

    Muddling is more than just pulverizing fruit or herbs into mush. There is actually a science to muddling that is critical to the taste of your cocktail. But don't worry; it's far less complicated than it sounds.

    The first thing to know is there are two different muddlers for fresh fruit and herbs: a toothed muddler for fruits and a blunt muddler for herbs. A quality muddler will have a toothed end and a blunt end, eliminating the need for two separate muddlers (this muddler is our favorite).

    Fruits can stand up to more pressure than delicate herbs so use the toothed end in a pressing and twisting motion to release a fruit's juices and any essential oils from a fruit with a peel (such as a lime or lemon wedge).

    Herbs require a lighter touch. Use the blunt end of the muddler to gently press and bruise fresh herbs to release their oils and flavors. The key is to use a gentle touch. If you use too much pressure, you will crush and tear the leaves and they will become bitter in the drink.

    FAQs

    Can I use frozen strawberries?


    For the best results, use strawberries in season. They will be extra plump
    and juicy and muddle easily. But in a pinch, you can lightly defrost a few frozen strawberries for a similar result.

    What can I use instead of Prosecco?


    Any sparkling wine will work in this recipe. If you don't have wine on hand, you can substitute club soda or sparkling water.

    What can I use instead of basil in this strawberry cocktail?


    I've never tried a different herb because I love the strawberry basil combo so much, but I think mint would also work very well with the fresh berries.

    Red colored drink in low ball glass filled with ice. Garnished with fresh berry slices, fresh basil leaves and lemon wedges.

    Expert tips for making Vodka Strawberry Cocktails

    • No muddler? No problem! Use the end of a wooden spoon to muddle the berries and basil instead.
    • Acid is a must in most cocktail recipes to keep the flavor balanced. In this drink, you definitely want to use freshly squeezed lemon juice. The bottled stuff contains additives that alter the taste of the juice in order to give it more shelf life. I like to freeze fresh juices in ice cube trays and then pull out cubes when I need them.
    • Prefer a super smooth cocktail? Strain the strawberry mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to eliminate extra pulp from muddling.
    • I buy the small, individual bottles of Prosecco and keep them on hand for cocktails that call for a bit of sparkling wine like this one. No more worries about wasting a whole bottle if you don't finish it before it goes flat!

    More Vodka Cocktails

    • martini glasses on table with lemon peels.
      Lemon Drop Martini
    • low ball glass fille with drink, mint leaves on silver tray.
      Bootlegger Drink
    • Cucumber vodka gimlet in a glass with a cucumber garnish.
      Cucumber Vodka Gimlet recipe
    • elderflower vodka soda featured image
      Elderflower Vodka Soda recipe

    We have even more vodka drinks in our archives!

    
    
    Did you make this recipe? We'd love to hear your thoughts! 
    
    Please rate the recipe and leave a comment below. Your feedback helps us and your fellow readers! 
    
    
    

    Recipe

    Vodka Strawberry Cocktails

    Garnish With Lemon
    This fresh Strawberry Cocktail is like sipping summer in a glass! Fresh, juicy strawberries and fragrant basil leaves add major flavor while a splash of sparkling wine keeps every sip light and refreshing.
    4.79 from 37 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Course Vodka
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 cocktail
    Calories 336 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Cocktail Shaker
    • Mini Measuring Beaker Set
    • Citrus Juicer
    • Wooden Muddler

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 strawberries, greens removed
    • 6 basil leaves
    • 2 ounces vodka
    • ½ ounce elderflower liqueur
    • ¾ ounce simple syrup
    • ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
    • 1 ½ ounces Prosecco (or other sparkling wine)

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    Instructions
     

    • Place strawberries in a cocktail shaker and muddle. Add basil and gently muddle again. Add vodka, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, simple syrup and ice to shaker. Cover and shake for at least 30 seconds.
    • Strain cocktail into an ice-filled low ball glass and top with Prosecco. Gently stir to combine and garnish with a fresh strawberry and/or basil leaves, if desired.

    Notes

    Expert Tips: 

    • Use the toothed end of a muddler to muddle the strawberries. Use the rounded end of the muddler to muddle the basil. Fruits can take more aggressive muddling while herbs need a lighter touch. Too much pressure causes the leaves to tear and and the flavor to become bitter. If you don't own a muddler, use the end of a wooden spoon instead. 
    • Strain the strawberry mixture through a fine mesh sieve and into your cocktail glass if you prefer a smooth cocktail without any pulpy bits. 
    • Use freshly squeezed lemon juice in this drink rather than a store-bought bottle. They usually contain additives to preserve their shelf life and this negatively impacts the taste of the juice. If you have leftover fresh juice, freeze it in ice cube trays to have on hand for your next cocktail. 
    • The small, individual bottles of Prosecco or sparkling wine are perfect for the minor amounts used in cocktails (instead of buying a big bottle you may not finish before it goes flat). 
    • If you don't have sparkling wine on hand, feel free to swap in sparkling water or club soda.
     
     
     

    VIDEO

    Nutrition

    Serving: 5ouncesCalories: 336kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 6gFat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 33mgFiber: 9gSugar: 18g

    Nutrition info not guaranteed to be accurate.

    Did you make this recipe?Tag us on Instagram or leave a comment!

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    About Anna

    Hi, I’m Anna, a former corporate communications nerd turned food fanatic. Turns out I like cooking for others A LOT more than explaining HR policies to them. C’mon over!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Annette says

      May 31, 2024 at 1:35 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious and fresh!
      Used fresh ripe strawberries, fresh basil and fresh squeezed lemon juice. Topped off with some Cooks Brut. Will be making this refreshing cocktail many times this summer! Thanks!

      Reply
      • Anna says

        May 31, 2024 at 3:18 pm

        One of our faves, too, Annette. Glad you enjoy the recipe! Thanks for stopping back to let us know how it worked for you.

        Reply
    2. Brit says

      October 12, 2020 at 10:23 am

      Can you pour all ingredients into one large container to share with everyone?

      Reply
      • Anna says

        October 12, 2020 at 10:29 am

        Hi Brit, the short answer is yes! I suggest muddling the berries, basil, juice and syrup together and then straining it before adding the rest of the ingredients to a larger pitcher. Enjoy!

        Reply
    4.79 from 37 votes (36 ratings without comment)

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