This 3-ingredient easy-to-make pink vodka cocktail is perfect for any occasion! The sweet citrus flavor makes this cocktail easy to pair with a variety of different meals, while its pink color adds a fun twist! This pink drink is sure to become a hit and a staple at any summer get-together. Plus we’ve included a quick and easy mocktail version as well!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. This post may contain affiliate links. For more information see my full disclosure here.

Jump to Recipe

Print Recipe

This cocktail began as most of my recipes do, it popped into my head one day while I was doing nothing related to food, cooking, or drinking. Heck, I don’t think I was even doing anything involving pink. But this recipe came about nonetheless.

The inspiration for this easy cocktail came from a juice my mum would make sometimes, as to where this juice came from, I honestly have no idea, it’s one of those things. My mum made it because her mom made it, and so on and so forth. But if I had to wager a guess I would say this recipe came out of the 1950s.

two Rosie's cocktails, one is slightly in front of the other. There is a glass pitch of orange juice on one side of them and a glass dish on the other side

Rosie’s juice as it is called is made by combining orange juice and cranberry juice, and chilling the mixture until it is very cold. This gives a beautiful pink grapefruit juice tasting final product.

This juice in my mind is the perfect drink for summer from its rosy pink color to its sweet and citrusy flavor it just seems to scream summer. And it’s best-served cold, very cold.

All this got me thinking, while it was a good juice and a great summer drink, how would it be as a cocktail? All I can say is I’m glad I decided to give this a try.

Not only this is cocktail beyond easy to make, but it also uses simple ingredients that can easily be found, and it tastes amazing.

Making this cocktail not only perfect for lazy summer weekends but also perfect for any summer event or get-together!

a close of of a pink cocktail, there is another cocktail in the back round, you can also see part of a pitcher and a dish.

What are pink cocktails good for?

Pink cocktails are great for a variety of different events and parties. Personally, I find myself reaching for this drink mostly during the summer months, especially in July and August when it is hot.

This cocktail would make a lovely addition to any summer dinner party, birthday party, girl’s night, or cocktail party. But it would also be great for a Mother’s Day brunch, a springtime baby shower, bachelorette parties, or bridal showers!

It would also be a perfect cocktail to serve for Valentine’s Day, an at-home date night, or a fun lunch-in with your girlfriends or sisters!

The beautiful color of this cocktail is created simply by the combination of orange and cranberry juice. But pink cocktails can be created using a variety of different ingredients, including pink gin, prickly pear syrup, fresh watermelon, and more!

If you’re looking for more great pink cocktails to try, check out one of these!

how many ml in a shot of vodka? (how to measure vodka)

Since not all of us are experienced cocktail makers, and we don’t always have the proper equipment for cocktail making.

I decided to create this little cheat sheet for measuring shots of vodka, rum, and more!

Please note I am not a bartender and these measurements are calculated based on the measuring spoons and shot glasses I own, others may vary.

The average shot glass holds roughly 30-44ml- or 1-1.5 oz. This is equal to approximately 2 – 3 tbsp or 6-9 tsp. You can easily measure out your shots in milliliters, ounces, or using measuring spoons.

For this recipe, I use a smaller short glass or 1 oz of vodka per drink.

You can also easily find shot glasses to buy online or at your local liquor stores. If you are new to cocktail-making but looking to get into it more I would recommend buying a cocktail-making starter kit.

The recipe below does call for a cocktail shaker as well, but you can also shake the cocktail in a jar or buy some of these cocktail shaker jar toppers.

a pink cocktail, with a drop of water running down the glass. There is a dish next to it, and blurry cocktail to the side of it.

How to make Rosie’s Cocktail

to make

a cocktail shaker, or canning jar
ice cubes
glasses for serving

Ingredients

orange juice
cranberry juice
vodka

Fill your cocktail shaker or canning jar halfway with ice, and add the orange juice, cranberry juice, and vodka.

Put the cover on your shaker and shake for 10 seconds.

Pour the cocktail until your glass of choice and serve!

a close up of someone holding a Rosie's Cocktail, you can see part of a dish a pitcher of orange juice in the background.

notes

If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, you can shake this cocktail in a tightly covered canning jar. I love my shaker jar covers!

If you are feeling fancy you can garnish this cocktail with a twist of orange peel, or fresh mint leaves.

This drink is perfect for any hot summer day, but if you are struggling to keep your cocktail cold, you can also serve it over ice, or use a chilled glass.

I usually keep the alcohol pretty minium in drinks I am making for parties or get-togethers, but you can easily add 2-3 shots of Vodka to this cocktail depending on how strong you want your drink to be.

If this drink isn’t sweet enough for you, try adding 1/2 oz of simple syrup. You can also mix your finished cocktail with club soda to create a light and refreshing seltzer!

a slightly overhead shot of a finished pink cocktail, you are see another cocktail and dish behind it.

Mocktail Version

If you don’t drink for any reason or need a quick and easy kid-friendly version to serve at your next together, don’t worry I’ve got you covered! This pink cocktail can easily be turned into a fun alcohol-free pink beverage perfect for any special occasion!

Ingredients

1 part orange juice
1 part cranberry juice
lemon-lime soda or grapefruit soda
ice

Combine the orange and cranberry juice in a cup, add a few ice cubes, and fill the remaining space in the glass with soda.

You can garnish this mocktail with an orange twist or some mint leaves. Or if you are making this mocktail for kids try garnishing it with some fresh strawberries or maraschino cherries!

a finished Rosie's Cocktail, there is another finished cocktail behind it, and a glass dish to one side of it, and a glass pitcher of orange juice to the other side.

Looking for more cocktail recipes to try? Check out these!

Virgin Blueberry Lime Cocktail

Purple Rain Champagne cocktail

Mango Crush | mango rum cocktail recipe

Rosie’s Cocktail (pink vodka cocktail)

anexpressionoffood

This pink drink is sure to become a hit and a staple at any summer get-together. Plus we've included a quick and easy mocktail version as well!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 0

Total Time 5

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Servings cocktail

Equipment

*Cocktail shaker
Glasses for serving

Ingredients

1 oz vodka**
1.5 oz cranberry juice
1.5 oz orange juice
ice

To Make A Mocktail

1 part orange juice
1 part cranberry juice
lemon-lime soda or grapefruit soda
Ice

Instructions

Fill your cocktail shaker halfway with ice
Add the orange juice, cranberry juice, and vodka.
Put the cover on your shaker and shake for 10 seconds.
Pour the cocktail until your glass of choice and serve!

For a Mocktail

Combine the orange and cranberry juice in a cup, add a few ice cubes, and fill the remaining space in the glass with soda.

Notes

*If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, you can shake this cocktail in a tightly covered canning jar. I love my shaker jar covers!

**The average shot glass holds roughly 30-44ml- or 1-1.5 oz. This is equal to approximately 2 – 3 tbsp or 6 -9 tsp. You can easily measure out your shots in milliliters, ounces, or using measuring spoons.

If you are feeling fancy you can garnish this cocktail with a twist of orange peel, or fresh mint leaves. Or if you are making a mocktail for kids try garnishing it with some fresh strawberries or maraschino cherries!