This refreshing cocktail is a perfect way to celebrate spring with its vibrant and invigorating flavors and a delightful nod to the shades of pink on the Augusta National golf course.  

Whether you’re a golf enthusiast or simply enjoy a well-crafted cocktail, the Azalea is a must-try drink that captures the essence of Augusta National’s Masters Golf Tournament.

masters azalea cocktail with cherry and orange wedge sitting next to a masters hat, tees, ball marker and tickets
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Why You’ll Want to Make This Azalea Cocktail

The Azalea cocktail is closely associated with the Masters Tournament, one of golf’s most prestigious events held annually in Augusta, Georgia. The drink gets its name from the beautiful azalea flowers that bloom throughout Augusta National Golf Club, where the tournament takes place. This refreshing cocktail is a popular choice for those celebrating the Masters, making it a must-have beverage for golf fans and springtime gatherings alike.

  • Flavor: The azalea cocktail combines fresh lemonade, grenadine, and Kettle One Vodka. It’s known as the signature cocktail of the Masters golf tournament.
  • Authentic Recipes: Many online recipes call for pineapple juice, but my recipe does not include it. I have several friends (to remain anonymous) who work at the National, and they have shared with me how the drink was made during employee events. 
  • Prep Tip: A helpful trick for making the process smoother.
  • Ingredient Tip: Special ingredient swaps or enhancements.

Why is the cocktail called an Azalea?

Masters tournament azalea hole 13 green

If you ever visit Augusta, Georgia, in the spring, you’ll be amazed by the colorful flowers that cover the yards and the Augusta National golf course. It only seems fitting that a cocktail would be created to emulate the beautiful pink azaleas on the 13th green.

The par 5,510-yard hole is named Azalea due to the cascade of beautiful azalea bushes that surround the green when in full bloom each spring during the Masters. On the south side of this hole, there are many varieties of azaleas, about 1,600 bushes in all. The golfers are engulfed in a cascade of pink colors. 

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Azalea Drink Ingredients

This cocktail is straightforward to make. The key is to use fresh lemonade, not concentrate or artificially flavored.

Ingredients to make a Masters azalea cocktail with vodka in an augusta national decanter.
  • 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.
Augusta National womens tournment hat with an azalea cocktail and tickets to the tournament

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.

  1. Combine 5 ounces of fresh-squeezed lemonade, 1/2 ounce of grenadine, and 1 1/2 ounces of Ketel One Vodka in a cocktail shaker with ice.
  2.  Shake the contents well.
  3.  Pour and strain the mixture into an ice-filled glass.
  4. Garnish with a Maraschino cherry and a slice of orange.

Serving Ideas For An Azalea Cocktail

The famous Augusta Azalea Cocktail

To add a touch of fancy, serve the Azalea cocktail in a large martini glass or coupe glass. To add a special 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.

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.

Garnish Warning: When garnishing your Augusta Azalea Cocktail, it’s essential to remember that azalea flowers are toxic, so they should not be used as a garnish in your drinks. To keep it safe and floral opt for dried rose petals as a beautiful and harmless alternative. I’ll give you a link to purchase them later on in the post. 

The Azalea Cocktail is the signature drink of the Masters, bringing a refreshing mix of gin, pineapple juice, lemon juice, and grenadine to the tournament’s iconic experience. Just like this vibrant cocktail, the food at Augusta National is just as legendary. Explore the History of Masters Golf Tournament Concession Stand Food to learn about the classic snacks and sandwiches that have been enjoyed alongside this beloved drink for decades.

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Masters Party Food and Drink Menu

Get ready for the 2025 Masters Tournament with these authentic tasting copycat recipes inspired by the historic Augusta National’s Masters golf tournament. Create a full Masters Party Food Menu with these make-at-home recipes.

Image depicting Masters-themed food and drinks: Pimento Cheese Sandwich, Egg Salad Sandwich, Southern Cheese Straws, Green Jacket Salad, Peach Ice Cream Sandwich, Augusta Pound Cake, Azalea Cocktail with a hint of canned cowboy candy recipe flair, Secret Stand 12 Drink, and more.

Do you have a question about the recipe? Feel free to ask in the comments below. I’m here to help!

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masters azalea cocktail with cherry and orange wedge sitting next to a masters hat and tickets

Signature Azalea Cocktail Recipe

Prep Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 3 minutes
Servings: 1 drink
The signature Azalea Cocktail recipe combines pink fruity sweetness with vodka to create a delicious, beautiful pink azalea-colored drink. It’s a favorite spring cocktail that is served all over Augusta during Masters Tournament week

Note: Be sure to read through the recipe’s post for tips and details about this recipe.

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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 5 ounces of fresh-squeezed lemonade, 1/2 ounce of grenadine, and 1 1/2 ounces of Ketel One Vodka in a cocktail shaker with ice.
  • Shake the contents well.
  • Pour and strain the mixture into an ice-filled glass.
  • Garnish with a Maraschino cherry and a slice of orange.
Serving: 1drink, Calories: 323kcal, Carbohydrates: 16g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 5mg, Potassium: 135mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 10g, Vitamin A: 6IU, Vitamin C: 28mg, Calcium: 11mg, Iron: 1mg
Cuisine: American
Course: Drinks
Author: Gina Dickson
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