A Purple Rain Drink is a vodka-based cocktail that is purple in color and filled with citrus notes from the orange liqueur and lemonade. The striking hue of this purple cocktail comes from the combination of Blue Curacao liqueur and Grenadine, which is red in color.
The colorful name of this cocktail is inspired by the musician Prince and his popular Purple Rain album. Since Prince is well known for his love of all things purple, the deep purple color of this delicious drink makes it popular cocktail for Prince theme nights.
Why you'll love this vodka drink
- Fun and versatile. The tropical drink flavors are perfect for summertime cocktail drinking but it's purple hue also makes it a fun cocktail for Halloween parties.
- Simple recipe. Easy to make with just four vibrant ingredients.
- Great for a crowd. Perfect to make in a large batch to easily serve at your next party. It’s a shaken drink with no ice so it will last a long time without dilution.
- Sparkly and tasty. This is a flavorful drink that is refreshing and has just the right amount of bubbles from the sparkling lemonade.
Ingredient Notes
You will need just four ingredients to make this simple and vibrant cocktail:
- Blue Curacao - A delicious orange liqueur that is slightly tart. It’s made from Laraha orange peels and has added spices and alcohol for a distinct flavor.
- Vodka - Vodka is composed mainly of water and ethanol and is neutral in flavor. Therefore, you can use any vodka you like to make this recipe.
- Grenadine - Grenadine is a commonly used nonalcoholic syrup known for its deep red color and fruity pomegranate flavor that is both sweet and tart. You can use store-bought or homemade for this recipe!
- Lime Juice - The addition of lime juice adds a little extra citrus flavor to this cocktail. If you like things a little sweeter, you can use pineapple juice instead.
- Lemonade - A sparkling lemonade tops off this drink with a bit of fizz. A lemon-lime soda would also work well too!
Garnish Suggestions
This drink is beautiful and delicious all on it's own, but if you'd like to garnish your cocktail here are some ideas for inspiration:
- Lime wedge or lime wheel
- Lime or lemon twist
- Purple sugar to rim the glass
- Maraschino cherry or Luxardo cherry
- Edible flowers
- Cocktail umbrella
How to Make a Purple Rain Drink
This Purple Rain cocktail only takes a few minutes to create and you'll only need a cocktail shaker for mixing and a highball glass for serving.
- STEP ONE - Fill your cocktail shaker with ice.
- STEP TWO - Measure out and add the vodka, Blue Curacao, lime juice, and grenadine to the cocktail shaker.
- STEP THREE - Seal and shake for about 30 - 60 seconds, or until it is very cold.
- STEP FOUR - Pour the cold cocktail into a tall glass. Top with sparkling lemonade.
- STEP FIVE - Add a garnish if desired and serve immediately.
Pitcher Variation
It is easy to make and serve this cocktail in a pitcher when catering to a crowd. Simply add the vodka, Blue Curacao, lime juice, and grenadine to a large pitcher according to how many servings you desire. Mix together and then top with lemon-lime soda or sparkling lemonade. Allow to chill in the fridge or serve over ice.
Glassware for Serving this Cocktail
A short rocks glass, also known as an Old-Fashioned Glass, is the preferred glassware for serving a Purple Rain drink. It allows the cocktail to be fully emerged by ice, which makes for easy sipping.
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Recipe
Purple Rain Drink
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 ounces Vodka
- 3 ounces Blue Curacao
- 2 ounces Grenadine
- 2 ounces Lime Juice
- 2 ounces Sparkling Lemonade or lemon-lime soda
- Ice Cubes
Instructions
- Fill your cocktail shaker with ice.Ice Cubes
- Measure out and add the vodka, Blue Curacao, lime juice and grenadine to the cocktail shaker.3 ounces Vodka, 3 ounces Blue Curacao, 2 ounces Grenadine, 2 ounces Lime Juice
- Seal and shake for about 30 - 60 seconds, or until it is very cold.
- Pour the cold cocktail into a serving glass. Top with sparkling lemonade.2 ounces Sparkling Lemonade
- Add a garnish if desired and serve immediately.
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