Azalea Cocktail

As the signature cocktail of the Masters golf tournament, the Azalea Cocktail is a hole in one! This refreshing boozy lemonade is perfect for cheering on your favorite golfer at Augusta or cooling off all summer long.

About this Azalea Cocktail recipe

While I’m admittedly not the biggest sports fan, I do enjoy that there are so many traditional cocktails that go along with big moments in sports. Whether its a mint julep as powerful horses race in the Kentucky Derby or a honey deuce during the U.S. Open, there’s so many more options than ever before!

One thing about me is that I love a good themed cocktail, so even if it’s not for something I would typically watch, I’m going to try the drink that goes along with it. Enter, the classic Azalea Cocktail, which is the official drink of the Masters Tournament.

I don’t live terribly far from Augusta, Ga., where the Masters is held each year, so I know plenty of people that make the journey each year to cheer on their favorite golfer. In early April, the weather can already be quite warm, so a refreshing and delicious cocktail is perfect to sip while you’re out in the sun! Plus, the beautiful azalea flowers will be blooming.

This is a simple drink, which is the best for spring and summertime. When the sunshine is calling, who has time to mix a complicated drink? I’d rather be sitting on the porch, listening to the birds with my drink already in hand. In fact, that’s where you’ll probably find me all season long!

More lemonade recipes: John Daly • Arnold Palmer • Vodka Lemonade

What is the Azalea Cocktail?

The Azalea Cocktail gets its name from the signature flower of the Masters: The blooms of the beautiful azalea bushes are prominent around Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., the location of the Masters Tournament. The Azalea bushes that are found throughout the course boast gorgeous pink flowers, the inspiration for the pink color of the drink.

There has been some speculation about where the bright, tangy flavor in the drink comes from. Pineapple juice has been a common guess, however the official Masters recipe (and the one I used) was revealed to use lemonade.

History of the Masters

The Masters Tournament has been played since 1934 at Augusta National Golf Club during the first full week of April. It was founded by Bobby Jones, a retired amateur championship golfer, and Clifford Roberts, an investment banker. These two created the course with the hopes of establishing an annual event. I’d say they succeeded!

Between 80 and 100 golfers compete for the iconic green jacket and the chance to call themselves the Masters champion. According to Masters.com, this is the smallest field in major championship golf.

Over the course of the four days of the tournament, spectators can gather on the course to watch their favorite golfers from around the world compete. They play 72 holes to determine the winner.

The Masters is unique in that it is one of the only major tournaments to be held at the same course year after year. I mean, with the beauty and challenge of the course, I get why they stick to tradition!

Tools & glassware

You don’t need much for this Azalea drink. To combine your ingredients, you’ll want a cocktail shaker and a jigger for measuring. Although, if you have your home bar set up, these items are likely already around your house.

In terms of glassware, this one’s up to you. I opted for a stemless, can-shaped glass, but if you’re hosting a special occasion or wanted to make this pretty pink drink feel more fancy, you could opt for something like a coupe glass.

essential bar tools

jigger

Buy Now →

boston shaker

Buy Now →

hawthorne strainer

Buy Now →

Ingredients

The great thing about making drinks at home is getting to choose where you source your ingredients. Whether you shop at the store, make your own or a combination of both, here’s what you’ll need for this delicious drink:

• Vodka: some of my favorite brands include Reyka, Pinnacle and Tito’s
• Lemonade: keep reading for my preferred lemonade
• Grenadine: you can pick up some at the store or make your own grenadine at home

Garnishes

For the Azalea Cocktail, I opted for garnishes that highlighted the ingredients of the drink: a cocktail cherry, a lemon slice and a mint sprig.

The garnish serves as a hint of what flavors are to come in the drink and helps amplify these flavors through smell and taste.The mint sprig is a nice additional pop of color and a complement to the flavors of the drink.

I like to make my own cocktail cherries at home. It’s so simple to do and you can even customize the recipe to fit your preferences (they also make a great gift)! That said, I also keep these Jack Rudy cocktail cherries on-hand in case I’m in a pinch.

An orange wheel can also act as a garnish for the Azalea drink. You can go big with your garnish or stay simple — totally up to you!

Best lemonade for the Azalea Cocktail

Lemonade is a summertime staple — and there are plenty of options out there!

When time permits, I like to make homemade lemonade. It lets me control the ingredients and it’s hard to beat the flavor you get from fresh-squeezed lemon juice!

Now, if I’m in a pinch or want to keep things simple, I go store-bought. To make a true Azalea Cocktail, you’ll want to pick a traditional lemonade without any additional flavors.

Substitutions & variations

Before the official recipe was shared by Augusta National, there was speculation that pineapple juice was somewhere in this drink to bring bright spring flavor. Although we now know that isn’t how the traditional drink is made, it would be a great substitution for lemonade!

You could also switch up the type of lemonade you choose. Honey Mango Lemonade would provide a more tropical twist while Peach Lemonade would amp up the sweetness of the grenadine. Yum!

While vodka is part of the official recipe for this colorful cocktail, you could swap in another spirit depending on your personal preference. Gin would be a good choice to add nice herbal notes.

Instructions

I’m so excited to mix up a stunning Azalea Cocktail. Let’s get to it!

Start with your cocktail shaker filled with ice. You’ll want plenty to cool down your drink!

Next, use your bar tools to measure out your ingredients, beginning with the vodka and lemonade. Add each one to the shaker.

Grenadine is next, for sweetness and the gorgeous color. Cover your shaker (you don’t want to skip this step!) and shake well.

Strain your drink into your preferred glass filled with ice. Add your garnishes and you’re ready to enjoy!

How to use homemade grenadine

If you opt to make your own grenadine, you’re in luck! This ruby syrup is easy to make and adds a touch of sweetness to plenty of classic recipes.

It doesn’t get more iconic than the Shirley Temple — and her boozy big sister, the Dirty Shirley — but why stop there?! Grenadine adds color and flavor to the colorful favorite Tequila Sunrise (and the Sunrise Mocktail, too).

Grenadine adds a subtle sweetness to lemonade, iced tea and Italian sodas. You can also drizzle it on desserts or breakfast delicacies like pancakes. The possibilities are almost endless!

Food pairings

If you want the most authentic at-home watch party, pair the Augusta National pimento cheese sandwich with the Azalea Cocktail. Personally I would opt for spicy bacon pimento cheese at a Masters party instead.

Try a cheese and charcuterie board as an excellent elevated option for something like a bridal shower, where this pink drink would fit right in among iced lemon pound cake.

FAQ

More vodka recipes

• Passion Fruit Cocktail
• Electric Lemonade
• Orange Crush