The Azalea cocktail is the unofficial signature drink of the Masters golf tournament. It’s a sweet vodka cocktail with pineapple and lemon.
This spring enjoy a delicious cocktail full of fruity sweetness that is a lovely shade of pink, like a flower in full bloom. The Azalea is a refreshing cocktail made with just four ingredients, vodka, pineapple juice, lemon juice, and a splash of grenadine. The classic Azalea cocktail is made with regular vodka, but my version uses a delicious botanical vodka infused with grapefruit and rose. This adds a floral flavor to a cocktail named after a flower.
Azaleas are the perfect cocktail for a Masters viewing party, bridal shower, or lovely Spring day. Your guests are sure to love this delicious drink!
What is the Azalea Cocktail?
An Azalea is a vodka-based cocktail made with pineapple juice, grenadine, and fresh lemon juice. It is the unofficial signature cocktail of the Master’s golf tournament. However, there’s no real explanation as to why. Masters Week is a seven-day golf tournament held in the first full week of April every year. The tournament is always held at Augusta National Golf Club. The drink gets its name from the beautiful azalea bushes that bloom around the famed 13th hole of the golf course in April. And it’s most popular at the VIP bars at the Augusta Club, but only during Master’s Week.
Whether you enjoy golf, or you just want a pretty and delicious spring cocktail, the Azalea is the perfect drink. It’s beautiful, sweet, and refreshing. Serve this cocktail at spring dinner parties, bridal showers, or luncheons.
Ingredients for the Azalea Cocktail
- Ketel One Botanical Grapefruit and Rose Vodka – The original recipe for this drink contains regular, unflavored vodka. However, this botanical-infused grapefruit and rose vodka enhances the flavor of the other ingredients. It takes this cocktail from tasty to unbelievably delicious! Find it at your local liquor store or online!
- Pineapple Juice – This sweet juice has a tart and distinctive taste. It’s the perfect ingredient for a warm-weather cocktail. I prefer to buy mini cans of pineapple juice for small-batch cocktails.
- Lemon Juice – Brighten up the cocktail with some additional acidity from fresh lemon juice.
- Grenadine – This gorgeous red syrup adds additional sweetness and color to the cocktail. Contrary to popular belief, grenadine is made with reduced pomegranate juice and sugar, not cherry juice. The pomegranate juice gives the syrup its vivid red color. If you don’t care for grenadine, substitute it for regular simple syrup.
How to Make the Azalea Cocktail
The Azalea cocktail is fruity, delicious, and refreshing. Plus, it is the same color as gorgeous pink azaleas, making it the perfect spring cocktail.
Step One – In a cocktail shaker, combine the vodka, pineapple juice, lemon juice, and grenadine.
Step Two – Add a handful of ice to the cocktail shaker. Place the lid firmly on the cocktail shaker. Shake for 30 seconds to combine and chill the ingredients.
Step Three – Strain the drink into a cocktail glass over ice.
Garnish with a lemon slice, maraschino cherry, and fresh mint sprig.
What Kind of Glass Do I Use?
- Highball Glass – Serve this cocktail over ice in a highball glass. The ice of the glass will water down the drink as you sip, but it keeps the drink refreshingly cold while drinking. I prefer this cocktail over ice.
- Coupe Glass – Coupe glasses have a large mouth and a stem. The large mouth of the glass allows you to take in the scents of the cocktail as you drink. Smelling a cocktail as you drink it changes the flavor profile. The stem helps prevent the drink from warming in your hand.
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Can I Make Azalea Cocktails in a Large Batch?
Yes! The Azalea cocktail is perfect for large batches! Multiply the recipe by the number of people you wish to serve to determine how much you need of each. Combine the ingredients in a pitcher or carafe. Pour the drink from the pitcher over ice and garnish when serving.
How to Store This Cocktail
Combine all of the ingredients in a jar or airtight container. Store the cocktail in the refrigerator without ice for up to 24 hours. Shake, or stir, the cocktail before serving. Serve over ice and garnish as usual.
Enjoy the delicious Azalea cocktail at your next spring-themed get-together. Or impress your friends who are golf fans with this non-official drink of the Masters.
More Classic Cocktail Recipes
Azalea Cocktail
Equipment
- cocktail shaker
Ingredients
- 2 oz Ketel One Botanical Grapefruit and Rose vodka
- 1.5 oz pineapple juice
- 1 oz lemon juice
- .5 oz grenadine
Instructions
- Combine the vodka, pineapple juice, lemon juice, and grenadine in a cocktail shaker.
- Add a handful of ice to the cocktail shaker. Firmly place the lid on the shaker. Shake for 30 seconds to combine and chill the ingredients.
- Strain the drink into a cocktail glass over ice.
- Garnish with a lemon slice, maraschino cherry, and fresh mint.
