A nice refreshing rooftop lemonade is my go-to drink for something hydrating and refreshing. The recipe I created is very simple and only requires 4 ingredients.

‘Rooftop Caroline’ and ‘the rooftop queen’ are nicknames my friends coined after seeing how much I loved spending my evenings on top of buildings. Here’s the thing – when the weather gets warm I have a tendency to suggest rooftop bars to pretty much anyone who wants to meet up for a drink.

There’s something really amazing about being outside, way up high, surrounded by bright lights and famous monuments such as the Empire State Building. Not only do I enjoy glamming up for the evening, I also like trying new cocktails of all shapes and sizes. One cocktail I specifically remember having a while back was the rooftop lemonade.

Why A Rooftop Lemonade Is So Refreshing
How To Make It
Expert Tip
How To Serve It

Refreshing and cleansing Rooftop Lemonade - the most refreshing cocktail you'll have this summer! healthy cocktail recipe, vodka cocktail, easy cocktails, summer cocktail recipes | pickledplum.com #ad_21+

Why A Rooftop Lemonade Is So Refreshing

Made with fresh lemonade, vodka, cucumber slices and seltzer, it’s just one of those summery drinks I can drink all season long. I’m a sucker for the combination of lemon and cucumber – I find it so refreshing and cleansing!

What I also love about this cocktail is its simplicity. The ingredients are easy to find – which means you can enjoy it at home in your jammies, take it to the beach or serve it in a pitcher at your next backyard party. The subtle flavor of Vodka gives it a kick and marries well with citrus. It’s like a fancy spa version of a vodka tonic!

How To Make It

Use a pestle to lightly mash the cucumber slices in the shaker for a more intense cucumber taste. I personally love adding that step because I’m a huge fan of flavored water. Since I don’t drink pop or fruit juices, adding a few slice of fruit to my water keeps me satisfied when I want a little guilt-free flavor to sip on.
Make the lemonade from scratch. Since many pre-made mixes are very high in sugar, this cocktail tastes best when the lemon flavor is fresh and tart.

Here’s my own recipe for a quick homemade lemonade:

In a pitcher add the juice of 6 lemons, 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 6 cups of water. Stir until the sugar has dissolved and refrigerate.

This beats any store bought version hands down. It’s sour, light and much healthier too!

Expert Tip

Make part of the drink ahead of time. Mix the vodka and lemonade and store it in the fridge until your guests arrive. This way the mixture will be cold and even more refreshing when shaken with ice cubes.

You can even go a step further by keeping the serving glasses in the freezer. This will make them frosty looking which is always impressive and quite sexy!

I think we can all agree that there is nothing better than having a chilled, tart and fizzy drink to celebrate summer, whether you’re at a fancy rooftop lounge or on the sofa. All the elements are there; it cools the body and the mind, is relaxing and energizing at the same time.

How To Serve It

The traditional way to serve this cocktail is in a Collins glass but I have also used a martini glass to turn it into something more fancy. Just skip the seltzer and voila! Now you can serve the same cocktail two ways with edible garnishes that represent summer.

A nice and bright lemon slice to mimic the sun and a few cucumbers to give the drink a green, afternoon-in-the-park feel.

Did you like this drink? Are there changes you made that you would like to share?