This pink azalea drink is a refreshing cocktail made with lemonade, vodka, and grenadine. It comes together in just a few minutes and has the beautiful pink color that reminds many people of the azaleas blooming around Augusta during Masters week. Living in Augusta, this pink azalea drink shows up everywhere during Masters week, often served at watch parties as friends gather around the TV to enjoy the tournament.
What Is a Pink Azalea Drink
The Azalea cocktail is closely associated with Masters week in Augusta, Georgia. The drink gets its name from the bright pink azalea flowers that bloom across Augusta National Golf Club each spring.
One of the most famous spots on the course is the 13th hole, called “Azalea,” where thousands of azalea bushes bloom each April during the Masters. The soft pink color of this cocktail is meant to reflect those iconic flowers, making it a perfect drink to enjoy while watching the tournament.
Azalea Drink Ingredients
This pink azalea drink uses just a few simple ingredients, but each one plays an important role in the flavor and color.
- Lemonade: Don’t skimp and buy cheap lemonade. Make your own with fresh lemons and sugar, or purchase 100 % juice lemonade.
- Grenadine: Grenadine is a cocktail mixer syrup made from fresh pomegranate juice reduced with sugar. It is a simple syrup with a hint of citrus flavor and adds a stunning red color to your drink. I like to use Rose’s Grenadine. The grenadine is the key ingredient that evokes thoughts of gorgeous pink azaleas at the 13th green.
- Kettle One Vodka: You can use your favorite brand, but to keep it authentic to our local golf club, use Kettle One.
- Garnishes: The Augusta tradition is to garnish the Azalea with 1 maraschino cherry and a slice of orange.
How To Make An Azalea Cocktail
This signature drink of the Masters will be a hit with any golf fan while watching the Masters on a lovely spring day.
- Add lemonade, grenadine, and vodka to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake well until the mixture is chilled.
- Strain into a glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with a maraschino cherry and a slice of orange.
To add a touch of floral accent to this drink, I like to garnish it with pink rose petals. I float them on top of the drink for looks, but they are edible. They have an earthy and floral taste with a slight sweetness.
Masters Party Menu Ideas
If you are hosting a Masters viewing party, this egg salad sandwich pairs perfectly with other classic Augusta-inspired foods. Create a full Master’s Party Food Menu with these make-at-home recipes and don’t forget some fun golf-themed party decor.
Masters Tournament Food Traditions
While the Azalea cocktail has become a popular drink during Masters week, the food served at Augusta National is just as famous. From pimento cheese sandwiches to egg salad sandwiches, the concession menu at the Masters has remained remarkably consistent for decades.
If you’re curious about the story behind these iconic golf tournament foods, take a look at the history of Masters golf tournament concession stand food and discover how these classic menu items became part of the tournament tradition.
Do you have a question about the recipe? Feel free to ask in the comments below. I’m here to help! If you enjoy making this recipe, be sure to let us know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. Also, snap a photo and tag @intentionalhospitality on Instagram.💛 I love seeing your creations!
Azalea Cocktail
Ingredients
- 5 ounces Lemonade, fresh-squeezed
- 1/2 ounce Grenadine
- 1 1/2 ounces Vodka, Ketel One Vodka
- 1 Maraschino cherry, Garnish
- 1 slice orange , Garnish
Instructions
- Combine lemonade, grenadine, and vodka in a cocktail shaker with ice.5 ounces Lemonade, 1/2 ounce Grenadine, 1 1/2 ounces Vodka
- Shake the contents well.
- Pour and strain the mixture into an ice-filled glass.
- Garnish with a Maraschino cherry and a slice of orange.1 Maraschino cherry, 1 slice orange
I will try this recipe. I learned how to make an Azalea from Reggie, an ANGC bartender. He used vodka, real lemon juice (not lemonade), pineapple juice and grenadine garnished with a maraschino cherry and orange slice.
Do you think this could be made in a bug batch to put in punch bowl for a masters party? garnish on the side
Absolutely YES — the Azalea Cocktail is perfect for batching in a punch bowl for a Masters party!
Azalea Cocktail for 15 Servings (Masters Party Punch Bowl)
Ingredients:
2 ½ cups vodka (that’s 20 oz or about 1 standard bottle)
2 ½ cups pineapple juice
1 ¼ cups fresh lemon juice
1 cup grenadine (adjust to taste — more if you want deeper pink and sweeter)
Instructions:
Mix all ingredients in a large jug or directly in the punch bowl.
Stir well and chill until ready to serve.
Right before guests arrive, add a large ice block or ice ring to keep it cold without watering it down too fast.When you freeze the ice, add in Maraschino cherries, orange wedges or my favorite, a few pink golf balls.