Now that May is officially here, it’s time to set our sights on Summer! And what better way to kick-off Summer than by celebrating Memorial Day Weekend with a delicious Americana-inspired cocktail in-hand?! This year, back and better than ever, is Smirnoff’s seasonal limited time offering, Smirnoff Red, White & Berry. This vodka specialty is the ideal drink for Summer from its perfectly patriotic packaging to its delicious combination of citrus, cherry & blue raspberry.
Tasting Notes
- Aroma: Delicious hints of cherry, citrus, and raspberry
- Flavor: A cooling mix of cherry, citrus, and sweet blue raspberry
- Mouth-feel: Cooling sensation
While the cocktail possibilities are endless with Smirnoff Red, White & Berry, we wanted to share a few of our faves!
1. Triple Berry Mojitini (Serves 4)
– Courtesy of Megan Marlowe, Strawberry Blondie Kitchen
· 3/4 cup Smirnoff Red, White & Berry
· 1 cup limeade
· Club soda
· Handful of mint leaves
· 6 oz raspberries
· 6 ounces blackberries
· 4 ounces cherries, pitted and cut in half
· Sugar and a lime wedge for rimming
· 4 teaspoons sugar, (I used stevia)
In the bottom of 4 – 11.5 oz glasses, place 1 teaspoon of sugar and a few torn mint leaves. Muddle. To each glass add 2 raspberries, 2 blackberries, and 2 cherries. Muddle with the sugar and mint until liquefied. Pour 1.5 oz Smirnoff Red, White & Berry into each glass. Top with 1/4 cup limeade, crushed ice and a splash of club soda. Garnish with a cocktail pick of a raspberry, blackberry and lime wedge.
2. Summer Berry Mule
– Courtesy of Sylvia Fountaine, Feasting at Home
1.5 ounces Smirnoff Red, White & Berry
4 ounces Ginger Beer or Ginger Ale
1/4 cup fresh berries- blueberries, raspberries or blackberries
Squeeze of lemon (optional)
In a shaker, muddle half the berries with the vodka, add ice and shake. Pour into an ice-filled mason jar. Top with Ginger Beer and a squeeze of lemon. Garnish with fresh berries on a skewer.
3. Red, White & Berry Limeade (Serves 8-10)
– Courtesy of Karly Gomez, A Simple Pantry
1 cup Smirnoff Red, White, & Berry or Smirnoff No. 21
1 cup black raspberry liqueur
3 cups limeade
In a large pitcher, combine the Smirnoff, black raspberry liqueur, and limeade. Chill until cold, then serve over ice with blueberries, raspberries, and apple stars for a patriotic twist.
4. Boozy Blackberry, Pineapple & Cilantro Ice Pops (Serves 20)
– Courtesy of Karly Gomez, A Simple Pantry
For the Blackberries:
3½ cups blackberries
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons water
2 ounces Smirnoff Red, White, & Berry Vodka
For the Ice Pop Purée:
4 cups fresh pineapple chunks
½ cup cilantro leaves
⅓ cup heavy whipping cream
2 ½ ounces Smirnoff Red, White & Berry
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Pinch kosher salt
Prepare the blackberries:
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring the blackberries, sugar, and water to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and continue cooking, stirring occasionally and gently mashing half of the berries using a wooden spoon, until the berries are soft and the liquid has reduced to a syrup, 12 to 15 minutes. Stir in the vodka and immediately remove from the heat. Allow to cool completely.
Prepare the ice pop purée:
In a high-powered blender, purée all the ingredients on high until smooth, around 3 minutes. For an extra smooth purée, strain through a sieve to remove any small bits of pineapple and cilantro that didn’t blend completely.
Assemble the ice pops:
Spoon 2 tablespoons of ice pop purée into the bottom of each ice pop mold. Layer with 2 tablespoons of the blackberries. Repeat with 1 more layer of each. Insert a popsicle stick and freeze until solid, at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
To serve:
One at a time, dip a frozen ice pop mold into a bowl of warm water for 10 to 15 seconds. Gently pull the ice pop to release from the mold and serve.
5. Spiked Triple Berry Basil Lemonade (Serves 8)
– Courtesy of Megan Marlowe, Strawberry Blondie Kitchen
· 1.5 cups Smirnoff Red, White & Berry
· 8 cups lemonade
· 1 cup basil syrup
· 4 berry lemonade ice cup
In a pitcher combine lemonade, vodka and basil syrup. Stir to combine. To serve, place 4 ice cubes into a high ball glass and top with lemonade cocktail.
6. Red, White & Blue Boozy Slush (Serves 4)
– Courtesy of Taylor Bradford, Pink Heels Pink Truck
Blue Slush Layer:
· 2 cups ice
· 2 oz. Blue Curacao
· 1 cup homemade lemonade
White Slush Layer:
· 2 cups ice
· 2 oz. Smirnoff Red, White & Berry
· 1 cup homemade lemonade
Red Slush Layer:
· 1 ¼ cups strawberries, quartered
· 2 oz. Smirnoff Red, White & Berry vodka
· ¼ cup of homemade lemonade
Blend each layer separately until smooth. Store in freezer until ready to build your cocktail. Pour each layer into a highball glass and serve immediately.
To celebrate the return of Smirnoff Red, White & Berry, Smirnoff threw a fun-filled patriotic boat party. The Summer kickoff party was co-hosted by The Bachelor’s Nick Viall, who was joined by many Smirnoff fans who were excited to welcome Summer with a cocktail and picturesque views of the Manhattan skyline.
Guests enjoyed Americana-themed cocktails and fare to highlight the mix of cherry, citrus, and blue raspberry flavors. During the night, Viall tested his skills behind the bar to craft the ‘MERICA Mule signature cocktail and joined fellow partiers – along with Lady Liberty, Uncle Sam and a cast of patriotic characters – for a SMIRNOFF Red, White & Berry toast as the boat made its way to the Statue of Liberty.
Smirnoff Red, White & Berry is available nationwide now through Labor Day. The perfect blend of cherry, citrus, and blue raspberry flavors can be served as a chilled shot or in a summer cocktail.
Always Remember to Drink Responsibly!
Check out more party photos below: