Why I love this azalea cocktail recipe
I am absolutely in love with this pretty cocktail recipe that gets its name from the flower.
It’s a refreshing pink sip of joy that I just can’t get enough of.
The original recipe comes from the Master’s golf tournament and calls for just lemonade, vodka, and grenadine.
But I decided to shake things up a bit with the addition of pineapple juice. And I think that little tweak makes all the difference!
The pineapple juice adds a tropical twist that balances out the tartness of lemon juice and goes well with the flavor of grenadine.
And instead of serving it in a traditional rocks glass, I prefer the elegance of a coupe glass.
Not sure how the boys at Augusta National would react to that 🙂 But it looks so much prettier and makes the cocktail feel extra special.
Whether you’re hosting a Master’s watch party, having a girl’s night in, or celebrating at a spring bridal shower, this Azalea drink is sure to be a hit.
I can’t wait for you to try it and fall in love with it just like I have.
Looking for more delicious spring cocktails? You'll love Appletini, Guava Martini and Limoncello Martini.
Ingredients
Here is your shopping list (for 1 Azalea cocktail):
- Alcohol – 2 ounces vodka
- Juice – 1 ounce pineapple juice, 1 ounce lemon juice – using bottled lemon juice is easiest, but squeezing fresh lemon juice tastes a little better.
- Flavor and color – grenadine
- Jarred goods – maraschino cherry for garnish
Substitutions & Additions
- To make a more traditional Master’s Azalea drink, replace the pineapple juice and lemon juice with ½ cup lemonade and serve over ice in a rocks glass.
- If you prefer, you can substitute an equal amount of gin for the vodka.
How to make an Azalea cocktail
1 | Mix the cocktail
Start by filling your cocktail shaker about halfway with ice. This is essential for chilling the drink properly.
If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, you can use a large glass and just stir the cocktail instead of shaking it (when we get to that step).
Then add the vodka, pineapple juice, and lemon juice. Use a bar spoon or a long-handled spoon to stir the mixture gently.
Next, add a splash of grenadine. Stir again to check the color.
Continue adding small splashes of grenadine, stirring in between each addition, until you achieve the perfect pink hue. Remember, you can always add more, but you can’t take it out once it’s in, so proceed cautiously.
It helps if your cocktail shaker has a glass insert so you can see the color of the mixture easily.
Taste your cocktail as you go. If it needs a touch more sweetness, incorporate a bit of simple syrup and stir thoroughly. Simple syrup is just sugar dissolved in water, and it can be made at home by heating equal parts sugar and water until the sugar dissolves. Allow it to cool before using.2 | Shake
Now, give the shaker a vigorous shake for about 15 to 20 seconds.
This step not only chills the drink further but also ensures the grenadine is well mixed, giving your cocktail a consistent flavor and color.
You can skip this step (especially if serving over ice in a rocks glass), just make sure to stir well.3 | Serve
Pour your beautifully mixed cocktail into your glass of choice.
A coupe glass adds an elegant touch, while a rocks glass offers a more traditional presentation. If you are using a rocks glass, add ice to the glass before adding the cocktail.
For a finishing touch, skewer a maraschino cherry on a cocktail pick and rest it on the rim of the glass.
Serving suggestions
At the Master’s, this Azalea cocktail is usually served with a lemon wheel. So that is always another garnish option.
You could also attach a small wedge of fresh pineapple to the rim.
Or for a more feminine touch, float a small edible flower (such as a pansy or violet) on top of the drink.
How to make a big batch
If you don’t want to be mixing drinks throughout your party, you can mix up a big batch ahead of time. To do this:
- Combine 3 cups vodka, 1½ cups lemon juice and 1½ cups pineapple juice in a large pitcher.
- Stir in about 1 Tablespoon grenadine. Adjust to your taste and color preference.
- Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
You can pour the mixture into a shaker and shake, or just stir the drink in the pitcher to re-combine everything before pouring into glasses. This will make 10 to 12 cocktails depending on how big your glasses are.
Azalea Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1 cup ice
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce pineapple juice
- 1 ounce lemon juice
- grenadine to desired color and taste
- maraschino cherry for garnish
Equipment
- cocktail shaker
- jigger or mini liquid measuring cup
- bar spoon
- coupe glass (or small serving glass of choice)
- cocktail picks
Instructions
- Add ice to the cocktail shaker.1 cup ice
- Pour in the vodka, pineapple juice, and lemon juice and stir with a bar spoon.2 ounces vodka, 1 ounce pineapple juice, 1 ounce lemon juice
- Add a splash of grenadine and stir again to get a baseline color.grenadine to desired color and taste
- Continue slowly adding grenadine splashes until the desired pink color is achieved.
- Vigorously shake for about 15-20 seconds.
- Pour the mixture into a glass.
- Skewer a maraschino cherry on a cocktail pick and place on the rim of the glass for garnish.maraschino cherry for garnish
Notes
- For a traditional Master’s Azalea cocktail, replace the lemon juice and pineapple juice with ½ cup lemonade and serve in a rocks glass over ice.
- Shaking is not absolutely required, but does help to keep the drink cold and create a uniformly pink look.
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Have comments or questions about our Master’s azalea cocktail recipe? Tell us in the section below.