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Hello! I’m Anjali. I’m a board certified health coach, author, wife, mom and food lover from the SF Bay area (now living in Seattle, WA!); with a passion for delicious food and a desire to make healthy eating easy, tasty and fun! Learn more about me here and stay for a while!

Anjali Shah

Amazing Strawberry Vodka Spritzer

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This strawberry vodka spritzer is a simple recipe featuring fresh ingredients, the perfect summer cocktail! Make it with or without alcohol for poolside perfection.

The added thyme in this strawberry spritzer adds a delicious level of freshness to the flavor. Don’t miss out on this one!

Two textured cocktail glassed with a red drink and ice topped with thyme, lemon and a strawberry.

The best thing about drinks is that you can leave out or add in alcohol to your preference. My blueberry pineapple smoothie and anti-inflammatory juice both taste amazing as virgin drinks or cocktails!

How to Make a Vodka Spritzer

Summer cocktails are perfect for when the weather warms up. You want something cool and delicious that you can sip on while lounging by the pool, watching the sunset in your backyard, or sharing with friends at BBQs and potlucks!

This Strawberry Vodka Spritzer recipe is amazingly refreshing with the perfect amount of sweetness. Mix it up in minutes to enjoy fresh, or prep ahead of time for an effortless cocktail for your guests.

Ingredients

The best vodka spritzer is made with simple and fresh ingredients! Here’s what you need:

  • Strawberries 
  • Vodka 
  • Lemon juice
  • Thyme
  • Sugar
  • Sparkling water
A bottle of Topo Chico next to strawberries, lemon wedges, a clear liquid, thyme and sugar in a spoon.

Step by Step Instructions

This is what you need to do to make this cocktail recipe:

  1. Muddle the strawberries, vodka, lemon juice, thyme, and sugar.
  2. Strain out the pulp.
  3. Fill cocktail glasses.
  4. Top with sparkling water.
  5. Garnish and enjoy!

Preparation Tips

  • Simply leave out the vodka to make this a virgin mocktail!
  • You can prepare this Strawberry Vodka Spritzer in advance. Muddle and strain everything into an airtight container. Keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve, then pour over ice, add sparkling water, and enjoy!
  • Freshly squeezed lemon juice will result in the best flavor. In a pinch you can use bottled lemon juice instead.
  • If you don’t have a muddler you can use the bottom end of a thick spoon or ice cream scoop to mash everything up.

Common Questions

What is a vodka with a spritzer?

A vodka spritzer is a cocktail made with vodka, sparkling water, and other flavors such as fruit.

What does a vodka spritzer taste like?

Spritzers should have a light and bubbly feel to them. The flavor will depend on which fruit or juice you use. Strawberry is a popular flavor, as well as cranberry, pomegranate, grapefruit, orange, and watermelon.

Are spritzers alcoholic?

Many times yes, spritzers will contain vodka or wine. However it is very easy to make a noon-alcoholic spritzer. All you need to do is mix sparking water with the other flavors and leave out the vodka or wine.

More Cocktail Recipes

Keep the party going with these easy and delicious drinks:

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Amazing Strawberry Vodka Spritzer

I love cocktails that taste fresh and fruity, and this strawberry vodka spritzer does way more than quench my thirst on a hot summer day. I muddle strawberries, lemon juice, and thyme together for a sophisticated cocktail that tastes light, crisp, and looks oh so fancy. It takes just 5 minutes to make and is just as delicious without the vodka. Bottoms up!
Prep Time5 minutes
Total Time5 minutes
Course: 30 Minutes or Less, Drinks
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Servings: 2
Calories: 41kcal
Author: Anjali Shah

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place chopped strawberries, vodka, lemon juice, 4 sprigs thyme and sugar in a large glass measuring cup, or container of choice .
  • Using a muddler (or end of a thick spoon or ice cream scooper if you don’t have one), carefully and slowly smash the strawberries and thyme until everything is smashed and the strawberries have juiced.
  • Strain the liquid into two short cocktail glasses or jars filled with ice. Divide the sparkling water between the two glasses and mix in.
  • Add back in some of the smashed strawberries if you want, then garnish with the 2 left over strawberries and sprigs thyme and enjoy!

Notes

  • My #1 Secret Tip for this strawberry vodka spritzer recipe is to muddle the thyme with the strawberries gently, not aggressively. I want the thyme to release its aroma, but if I crush it too hard, the drink can pick up a slightly woody or bitter note. A firm press with the muddler is enough to perfume the mixture without overpowering the strawberries.
  • Use ripe berries: Sweet ripe strawberries make a huge difference in this recipe. If the berries are underripe, the drink will need more sugar and still may not taste as fruity.
  • Chill everything: I like chilling the strawberries, sparkling water, and vodka ahead of time so the drink stays cold without needing too much ice. 
  • Taste the base: Before I pour the mixture into glasses, I taste the strained strawberry base. If the berries are extra tart, I add a little more sugar. And if they are very sweet, I use less sugar or squeeze in a touch more lemon.
  • Add bubbles last: I never add the sparkling water until right before serving. If it sits too long, the drink loses its crisp spritzer texture. 
  • Wash ingredients: I make sure to wash and dry the strawberries and thyme thoroughly to avoid bits of sand ending up in the cocktail.

Nutrition

Calories: 41kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Sodium: 38mg | Potassium: 73mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 145IU | Vitamin C: 31.8mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 0.7mg

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