THE COOL CLUB
Forget fussing around behind a makeshift bar all afternoon — spiked lemonade is the ultimate crowd-pleasing summer drink, and honestly? It couldn’t be simpler to make. Grab a bottle of shop-bought cloudy lemonade, your spirit of choice, a handful of fresh fruit, and a big generous scoop of Party Ice, and you’re basically done!
Whether you’re hosting a garden party, a BBQ, or just having a few friends round on a sunny afternoon, these five boozy lemonade recipes are quick to throw together, look brilliant in a jug, and taste even better. Oh, and did we mention they’re all made with stuff you can pick up at the supermarket? No specialist ingredients, no cocktail shaker required. Just great drinks, ice cold and ready to go. Let’s get into it!
1. Classic Vodka Lemonade with Strawberries & Mint
This is the one that converts everyone. Simple, refreshing, and utterly delicious — the cloudy lemonade does all the heavy lifting while the fresh strawberries and mint make it look like something from a Pinterest board. Vodka keeps it clean and light, so it goes down dangerously easy on a warm afternoon. You’ve been warned!
What you’ll need
- Shop-bought cloudy lemonade
- Vodka
- Fresh strawberries
- Fresh mint
- Lemon slices
- Loads of Party Ice
How to make it
Fill a tall glass or jug generously with Party Ice, then add a good double measure of vodka per person. Pour over your cloudy lemonade, drop in a handful of sliced strawberries and lemon rounds, and finish with a big sprig of fresh mint. Give it a gentle stir and serve immediately. Making it for a crowd? Build it straight in a large Kilner jar — it looks stunning and keeps everything cold for longer.
2. Gin & Lemonade with Cucumber, Elderflower & Raspberries
If gin is your thing, this one is going to be your new summer staple. The botanical flavours in gin pair beautifully with cloudy lemonade, and a splash of elderflower cordial adds a gorgeous floral sweetness that feels properly sophisticated. Fresh cucumber and raspberries bring colour and a little extra freshness — perfect for those long, lazy garden afternoons.
What you’ll need
- Shop-bought cloudy lemonade
- Gin
- Elderflower cordial
- Fresh raspberries
- Cucumber slices
- Plenty of Party Ice
How to make it
Pack your glass or jug with Party Ice, add a double measure of gin and a generous splash of elderflower cordial. Top up with cloudy lemonade and drop in slices of cucumber and a handful of fresh raspberries. Stir gently and serve. This one is particularly gorgeous made in a big glass pitcher if you’re entertaining — just multiply everything up and let your guests help themselves!
3. Tequila Lemonade with Mango & Chilli
For anyone who likes their drinks with a little more personality, this one’s an absolute game changer. Tequila and cloudy lemonade is a brilliant combination — sharp, punchy, and totally refreshing — and the sweet mango and kick of fresh chilli take it somewhere seriously exciting. It’s bold, it’s tropical, and it disappears from the jug faster than any other drink at the party! Every. Single. Time.
What you’ll need
- Shop-bought cloudy lemonade
- Tequila
- Fresh mango chunks
- Fresh red chilli slices
- Lime wedges
- A pinch of salt
- Party Ice
How to make it
Load up a tall glass with Party Ice. Add a double measure of tequila, a squeeze of fresh lime, and top with cloudy lemonade. Drop in a few chunks of fresh mango and one or two slices of red chilli (seeds out if you want to keep the heat gentle, seeds in if you’re feeling brave). Finish with a pinch of salt and a wedge of lime on the rim. Absolutely brilliant, and a proper talking point at any get-together.
4. Rum Lemonade with Pineapple & Passion Fruit
Think of this as your ticket to somewhere a lot warmer than wherever you’re sitting right now. Rum and cloudy lemonade is a tropical dream combination, and fresh pineapple with passion fruit makes the whole thing taste like a proper holiday in a glass. It’s incredibly easy to batch up in a big jug for a party, and everyone absolutely loves it — even people who claim not to like rum. Works every time.
What you’ll need
- Shop-bought cloudy lemonade
- White or golden rum
- Fresh pineapple chunks
- Passion fruit (halved)
- Lime wedges
- Party Ice
How to make it
Fill your glass or jug with Party Ice and pour in a double measure of rum per person. Top up generously with cloudy lemonade and drop in chunks of fresh pineapple. Scoop the seeds of half a passion fruit straight over the top — they’ll sink and float beautifully and look absolutely gorgeous — then squeeze in a wedge of lime and give it a gentle stir. Simple, tropical, completely irresistible.
5. Peach Bourbon Lemonade with Blueberries
This one is something a bit special — warm, a little smoky from the bourbon, and absolutely gorgeous with the sweetness of fresh peach and the pop of blueberries. It sounds fancy, but it takes about two minutes to put together and genuinely tastes like something you’d pay a tenner for at a rooftop bar. This is the one for when you want to properly impress your guests without spending all evening in the kitchen!
What you’ll need
- Shop-bought cloudy lemonade
- Bourbon
- Fresh peach slices
- Fresh blueberries
- A sprig of rosemary
- Party Ice
How to make it
Pack a rocks glass or tall tumbler with Party Ice and add a good double measure of bourbon. Top up with cloudy lemonade, drop in a few fresh peach slices and a small handful of blueberries. Add a sprig of rosemary as a garnish — it adds a lovely subtle herbal note and looks absolutely beautiful. Stir gently, hand it to someone, and enjoy the reaction. You’re welcome.
Top tip: All five of these work brilliantly as big batch drinks — just multiply the quantities up, build in a large Kilner jar or punch bowl, and keep a bag of Party Ice nearby to top up glasses throughout the afternoon. You’ll spend less time behind the drinks table and more time actually enjoying the party!
The Ice Co. Top Tip: Don’t Skimp on the Party Ice — Seriously
We know we’re biased, but hear us out — ice is genuinely the most important ingredient in any spiked lemonade, and the one that most people don’t use enough of. The secret to a brilliant boozy lemonade that stays cold and refreshing from the first sip to the last? A really generous scoop of Party Ice.
More ice means a colder drink for longer, and contrary to what you might think, it actually means less dilution — because the drink stays cold faster and the ice melts slower. Fill your glasses, your jugs, and your serving bowls right to the top. Don’t be shy about it!
For the best results when hosting, fill a large tub or ice bucket with Party Ice and keep it on the table so guests can top up their own glasses throughout the day. It keeps everything cold — including your spare bottles of lemonade and any cut fruit — and means you’re not constantly running back and forth to the freezer. Party hosting sorted!
Set Up Your Own Spiked Lemonade Station
If you’re hosting a gathering and want to make a real impression without spending the whole afternoon playing bartender, a DIY spiked lemonade station is the answer. It looks brilliant, it’s incredibly easy to set up, and your guests will absolutely love the freedom to mix their own. Here’s everything you need to get it right:
- Bottles of Cloudy Lemonade
Buy more than you think you’ll need — these go fast! Keep them nestled in a bucket of Party Ice on the table so they’re always perfectly chilled and ready to pour.
- Two or Three Spirits
Vodka, gin, and rum will cover every taste — label each bottle clearly with little tags so guests know what’s what. Add a bourbon option if you’re feeling generous!
- Bowls of Fresh Fruit
Set out small bowls of sliced strawberries, raspberries, lemon rounds, cucumber slices, mango chunks and whatever else takes your fancy. Guests can build their own combo — it makes the whole experience feel really special.
- Fresh Herbs & Garnishes
A bunch of fresh mint, some rosemary sprigs and a few slices of chilli in little pots add a brilliant final touch and make the station look properly impressive.
- A Big Tub of Party Ice
The centrepiece of the whole thing. Fill a large tub or cooler with Party Ice — use it to keep your lemonade bottles cold AND for guests to scoop into their glasses. Keep a spare couple of bags nearby to top up throughout the day.
- Plenty of Glassware
Tall glasses or tumblers work best for spiked lemonade — the bigger the better, so there’s room for all that lovely Party Ice! Pop a long spoon or stirrer in each one so guests can mix as they go.
Add a little handwritten menu board or some recipe cards with the five combinations above, and your lemonade station will be the talk of the party. It’s one of those things that looks like you’ve gone to loads of effort — but takes about ten minutes to set up. That’s our kind of hosting!
Don’t forget the non-drinkers! Set out a bottle of alcohol-free elderflower presse or sparkling water alongside the spirits so there’s a brilliant mocktail option too — the fruit, herbs and Party Ice make it just as delicious without the booze. Everyone’s a winner.
Go On Then — Get the Lemonade Out
Spiked lemonade really is one of those drinks that ticks every box — it’s easy, it’s cheap, it’s endlessly customisable, and it looks absolutely brilliant on a sunny afternoon. Whether you’re going classic with vodka and strawberries or getting adventurous with tequila, mango and chilli, all you need is a good bottle of cloudy lemonade, your spirit of choice, some fresh fruit, and plenty of Party Ice to keep it all ice cold from start to finish.
Give all five a go this summer, set up your own lemonade station, and get ready for your guests to ask you for the recipes. We’ll take some of the credit — but only a little bit. Most of it’s down to the ice.
