This refreshing Transfusion drink recipe is the perfect way to cool down after a golf round or sip while relaxing and watching a tournament on TV.
My favorite part about mixing up a transfusion is the recipe creates a thirst-quenching, bubbly, slightly fruity drink that goes down so easily!
What Is a Transfusion Golf Drink?
A transfusion cocktail is a vodka-based drink made with concord grape juice, lime juice, and ginger ale. It’s a classic golf cocktail that is known for its refreshing and slightly fruity flavor, making it a popular choice to cool down after a round of golf.
I live in Augusta, Georgia, and can attest that a transfusion golf drink is commonly served in local golf club bars.
It’s also rumored that the golf drink has become a hangover remedy. Ginger ale’s carbonation and ginger root soothe sour stomach while grape juice provides sugar and electrolytes. This cocktail offers even the most hungover a chance to salvage their golf round with a revitalizing transfusion.
History Of The Transfusion Golf Drink
A transfusion is a niche golf cocktail rumored to have originated from a past Augusta National Golf Club member. Former president Dwight D. Eisenhower supposedly enjoyed ordering a transfusion from the clubhouse bar after a round of golf.
It’s not exactly known why this golf tradition drink is so popular, but I think it’s because the flavor combination is the perfect way to cool down after spending hours on the golf course.
Ingredients For The Perfect Transfusion
The transfusion golf drink is made with simple ingredients you can find at your local grocery store and liquor store.
- Vodka: I recommend making this cocktail with a good quality vodka such as Ketel One, or Tito’s
- Concord grape juice: Make sure you choose Concord grape juice. Concord juice is made using the Concord grape found in America and some areas of Canada. This small fruit has a distinctive flavor and aroma that is different from other purple grapes.
- Lime: Only use fresh squeezed lime juice when making a transfusion cocktail. Also, you can use a wedge of lime
- Ginger ale: This soda with delicate ginger notes is the perfect sweet, bubbly mixer, and it’s what makes this golf drink so refreshing.
How To Make A Transfusion Golf Drink
- Fill a glass (preferably a highball glass) with ice.
- Juice a lime to get about 1 tablespoon of juice.
- Pour lime juice and grape juice into the glass ice.
- Add vodka.
- Slowly pour in the ginger ale. Stirring the cocktail too much will destroy the bubbles and make the drink a bit flat. You can give it a quick gentle stir after all the ingredients are in the glass.Garnish with a lime wedge if desired.
Pro Tips For Making A Transfusion Cocktail
- Chill your cocktail glass in the freezer before using it.
- Wait to pour your ginger ale just before serving for lots of bubbles.
- Be sure you buy Concord grape juice for its unique flavor.
- Only use fresh lime juice, not the bottled kind.
- Add plenty of ice for a perfectly chilled cocktail.
- Add a slice of fresh ginger to the glass for more effervescence.
What can I use instead of ginger ale?
If you dislike ginger ale, you can substitute it with Fresca or Sprite.
How To Make A Low Calorie Transfusion
With a few substitutions of ingredients, you can make this a low-calorie transfusion drink.
- Ginger ale: Swap a regular ginger ale for a zero-calorie ginger ale soft drink.
- Grape Juice: Purchase a lite grape juice such as Welches Lite Concord Grape.
Recipe For A Transfusion Mocktail
You can make a great mocktail with a few simple tips and substitutions from the original cocktail recipe.
- Bubbles: Leave out the vodka and add a little more ginger ale and lime.
- Non-Alcoholic Vodka: Visit your local liquor store and ask them about their non-alcoholic section. You could try brands such as Arkay, Hackamore, Strykk, or Memento. Measurements will be the same as the original recipe.
Want to try more golf themed drink recipes? You might also enjoy a secret Stand 12 Drink, Arnold Palmer drink or the famous Augusta Azalea Cocktail
⚖️ Need a big batch to feed a crowd? You can easily change the number of servings in the recipe card below by tapping 2x or 3x. The ingredient measurements will automatically double or triple. You can then tap print and there you have it, a recipe for a crowd.
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Famous Thirst Quenching Transfusion Drink Recipe
Note: Be sure to read through the recipe’s post for tips and details about this recipe.
Ingredients
- 3 ounces vodka
- 2 ounces Concord grape juice, about 1 shot
- 1 tablespoon lime juice, fresh squeezed
- 2 ounces ginger ale, more if desired
- lime wedge, frozen grapes for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Fill a glass (preferably a highball glass) with ice.
- Juice lime to get about one 1 tablespoon of juice.
- Measure lime juice and grape juice, then pour into the glass ice.
- Pour in your favorite vodka.
- Slowly pour in the ginger ale. Stirring the cocktail too much will destroy the bubbles and make the drink a bit flat. You can give it a quick gentle stir after all the ingredients are in the glass.Garnish with a lime wedge if desired.
Notes
- Chill your cocktail glass in the freezer before using it.
- Wait to pour your ginger ale just before serving for lots of bubbles.
- Be sure you buy Concord grape juice for its unique flavor.
- Use fresh lime juice.
- Add plenty of ice for a perfectly chilled cocktail.
- Add a slice of fresh ginger to the glass for more effervescence.
I love this cocktail! It’s a classic and my husband and son are so happy to have a recipe that they can make to watch the big tournaments! Great recipe
Cheers!