Pitcher Blueberry Lemon Vodka Spritz Cocktails

These blueberry lemon vodka spritz cocktails are made in a big pitcher for a simple, 5-minute drink for a crowd. With juicy berries, fresh lemons, vodka, and sparkling lemonade, this drink is tart, bright, and lovely for sipping on the patio. It’s a refreshing drink for BBQs, parties, and summer holidays!

Back when my mama and I went to Italy, we drank what I can only imagine was gallons of Aperol spritzes. The New York Times just deemed this the worst cocktail ever, which R U D E, but we were totally hooked. Even after my mom left Italy and I departed on my 18-week Europe trip, I would still occasionally order an Aperol spritz for the mems.

Now that I’m back in the states, spritz-y cocktails are my go-to for parties. I mean, 1. You can make them in bulk for all-day sipping. 2. They’re the easiest ever. And 3. If you use sparkling water, you’re basically hydrating yourself while drinking. *Science*.

With all of this in mind, I set out to create a pitcher-perfect summer cocktail inspired by my beautiful, lovely mama. And to know my mom is to know that she loves anything with berries or lemon. The result is this fizzy, fruity, tart, & not-too-sweet cocktail you can sip all summer long!

Love a pitcher cocktail? You should definitely try my berry lemon rosé sangria, spiked strawberry lemonade, or strawberry gin smash!

The perfect summer cocktail

A pitcher of spritzes has been my #1 party cocktail for years. You can’t go wrong with a fizzy, fruity, refreshing drink with friends. Add a few snacks and pretend you’re in Italy, why not?

• This cocktail takes truly takes about 5 minutes to mix up in a pitcher.
• Make this cocktail in advance or right before guests show up.
• This spritz is amazing for BBQs, beach days, parties, & girls’ nights.
• It’s so lovely with apps like everything bagel popcorn or spicy ranch snack mix!

Ingredients & variations

• Blueberries – you can use fresh or frozen berries in this recipe. It’s also amazing with other berries like strawberries or raspberries!
• Lemons – you will 100% need fresh lemons. The rind adds extra citrusy flavor.
• Simple syrup – store-bought or homemade will both work in this recipe.
• Vodka – definitely use a good-quality vodka for the best flavor! You can also use gin, white rum, or tequila in this recipe.
• Sparkling lemonade – store-bought sparkling lemonade adds a fizziness to this drink. For a less sweet cocktail, use lemon sparkling water!

Most simple syrup recipes are 1:1, but when I was in pastry school, we made rich simple syrup which is a 2:1 ratio. It’s my favorite for desserts and cocktails! To make rich simple syrup, combine 1 cup of sugar with 1/2 cup water. Bring it to a boil for 1-2 minutes & cool. Easy!

Let’s make this 5-minute cocktail

1. Start by adding the berries and lemons to a large pitcher.
2. Then, pour the simple syrup over the berries.
3. Using a muddler, smash the berries and lemons until about half of the blueberries are muddled.

If you don’t have a muddler, use the handle of a wooden spoon instead! You just need something thick enough to smash the berries a bit.

4. Add the vodka to the pitcher and give the drink a good stir.
5. Then, pour the lemonade over the berry mixture and gently stir to combine.
6. Lastly, serve the cocktail over ice. Enjoy!

Make-ahead

This drink is an amazing make-ahead cocktail for a get-together! You can mix it up the night before or a few hours before a party. This also gives the vodka time to infuse with the berries and lemon – so good!

1. Muddle the berries, lemon slices, and simple syrup in a pitcher.
2. Add the vodka and stir well. Cover and refrigerate.
3. Then, right before serving, add the sparkling lemonade.

Make sure you add the sparkling lemonade right before serving. Otherwise it will lose fizziness as the drink sits in the fridge!

Single cocktail

If you don’t need a whole pitcher, it’s all good! You can totally make one blueberry lemonade cocktail at a time. Even better, you don’t need a cocktail shaker or anything fancy. Just a glass!

1. Add 1/4 cup of blueberries and 2 lemon slices to a rocks glass. Pour 1/2 ounce of simple syrup over the top & muddle until the berries are half broken up.
2. Add 2 ounces of vodka and stir everything together well. Fill the glass with ice.
3. Finish the drink with 4 ounces of sparkling lemonade or lemon sparkling water. Enjoy!

Non-alcoholic version

If you’re looking for a non-alcoholic drink (a.k.a. a mocktail), this is the perfect recipe! Just replace the vodka with a no-ABV alternative like Ritual or Seedlip. You can find these at most liquor stores.

Or, if you don’t want to buy a special no-ABV liquor, just use sparkling water instead. Taste and add more simple syrup or lemon if needed!

Garnish ideas

To make this drink extra pretty, try a nice little garnish. It’s 100% optional but adds another layer of flavor!

• Herbs – add a sprig of rosemary, thyme, mint, or basil.
• Rim – dip the rim of the glass in sugar.
• Fruit – add a lemon slice or a toothpick with blueberries for snacking.
• Glasses – serve this drink in a rocks glass or wine glass.

Here’s a fun little bartending tip! Try expressing the oils from the herbs for extra flavor. To express the oils, place a sprig of rosemary, thyme, etc. in the palm of your hand. Then, clap your hands together. The gentle pressure on the leaves will pull out all the flavorful oils!

If you make this recipe, I would love it if you left a star rating and review! I read every single comment and love hearing what you think about my recipes. Thank you for supporting Sunday Table!

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xo Sara Lynn

Song of the day – Habit by Still Woozy

Originally posted on May 10, 2019.