Strawberry Dirty Sprite: My Favorite Summer Party Drink

So I first tried this Strawberry Dirty Sprite at my friend Jake’s pool party last summer, and I literally had to hunt him down for the recipe. It’s basically a boozy, upgraded version of Sprite with fresh strawberries that tastes dangerously delicious and looks absolutely Instagram-worthy with that pretty pink color!

I’ve been making it for backyard BBQs and pool hangouts ever since, and people ALWAYS ask for the recipe. It’s super easy to throw together but looks like you put in way more effort than you actually did (my kind of cocktail, honestly).

What You’ll Need

For a Pitcher (serves about 6-8):

• 2 liters of Sprite or lemon-lime soda (regular, not diet – trust me on this!)
• 1 cup good quality vodka (I use Tito’s, but use whatever you like)
• 1/4 cup coconut rum (Malibu works great)
• 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced (plus extra whole ones for garnish)
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• Handful of fresh mint leaves
• Ice cubes
• 1 lemon, thinly sliced for garnish

Optional Add-ins:

• Purple food coloring (just a drop or two if you want that “dirty” purple tint)
• Splash of grenadine for extra sweetness
• Jolly Rancher candies (if you’re going for that super sweet version)

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Let’s Make It!

1. First, let’s make a quick strawberry syrup. In a small saucepan, combine your sliced strawberries, sugar, and 1/4 cup water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for about 5-7 minutes, smashing the berries with a wooden spoon as they soften.
2. Remove from heat and let it cool for about 10 minutes, then strain through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing on the solids to extract all that gorgeous juice. You should end up with a beautiful red syrup. Put this in the fridge to chill completely while you do the next steps.
3. Find a large pitcher – seriously, bigger than you think you need because once you add ice, it fills up FAST. I learned this the hard way with a massive spillover situation at my sister’s birthday!
4. Add the vodka, coconut rum, and fresh lemon juice to the pitcher.
5. Pour in your chilled strawberry syrup and stir it all together.
6. Gently crack your mint leaves by clapping them between your hands (sounds weird but it releases the oils) and toss them in.
7. Add a few handfuls of ice to the pitcher, then slowly pour in the Sprite. Don’t stir too vigorously or you’ll lose all the fizz! Just a gentle swirl with a long spoon.
8. If you’re using the purple food coloring for that classic “dirty” look, add just a drop or two and swirl again.
9. Float some lemon slices and a few fresh strawberries in the pitcher for that “I totally have my life together and make fancy drinks” look.

Serving It Up

Pour over ice-filled glasses and garnish each with a strawberry on the rim and maybe a sprig of mint if you’re feeling extra.

If you want to get fancy (or you’re serving this for a special occasion), sugar the rims of your glasses! Just run a lemon wedge around the rim and dip in sugar. I sometimes use pink sugar for an extra cute touch.

For parties, I set up a little DIY bar with the base mixture in a pitcher, Sprite on the side, and different add-ins like extra berries, mint sprigs, lemon slices, and even some gummy bears. People can customize how strong or sweet they want their drinks.

Some Real Talk Tips

• This drink goes down REALLY easily but packs a punch! Maybe warn your friends if they’re not big drinkers.
• Want it stronger? Add more vodka. Prefer it milder? Cut the alcohol and add more Sprite. It’s super flexible.
• Don’t make this too far ahead or the soda will go flat. The strawberry-alcohol mix can be prepped earlier in the day, then just add the Sprite right before serving.
• Keep a bottle of Sprite on hand to top off people’s drinks as they sip.
• If it’s for a really hot day, I sometimes throw some strawberries in the freezer for a couple hours, then use those instead of ice cubes so the drink doesn’t get watered down.
• Some people like to add a splash of codeine cough syrup to make it a “true dirty Sprite,” but I personally skip this since it’s not something I recommend or keep around. The vodka and rum do the job just fine!

Variations I’ve Tried

After making this about a zillion times, I’ve played around with different versions:

Strawberry Dirty Sprite Slushie Blend the whole thing with extra ice for a boozy slushie version. Perfect for super hot days!

Berry Berry Dirty Swap half the strawberries for blackberries or blueberries for a more complex berry flavor. The color turns out this amazing purple-red.

Tropical Dirty Sprite Add a splash of pineapple juice and use more coconut rum than vodka. Tastes like vacation in a glass!

Virgin Version Skip the alcohol and add a splash more of lemon juice and a bit of vanilla extract. Still delicious and the kids can enjoy it too!

Spicy Twist Add a few slices of jalapeño to the strawberry syrup while cooking. The slight heat with the sweet and tart is AMAZING.

Make-Ahead Tips

If you’re planning a party, here’s what you can prep ahead:

• Make the strawberry syrup up to 3 days ahead and keep it refrigerated.
• Mix the strawberry syrup, vodka, rum, and lemon juice up to 8 hours before the party.
• Slice all your garnishes and store them in containers in the fridge.
• WAIT to add the Sprite until right before serving! This is crucial for keeping the fizz.

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Frequently Asked Questions

“Can I use frozen strawberries?” Absolutely! I’ve done this in a pinch. Let them thaw slightly before making the syrup so they release their juices better.

“Is there a non-alcoholic version?” Definitely! Just skip the vodka and rum, and maybe add a splash of strawberry-flavored sparkling water for complexity.

“How long does it keep?” The soda will eventually go flat, so it’s best enjoyed the same day. But honestly, I’ve never had leftovers – it always disappears!

“Can I use a different soda?” For sure! I’ve made it with Sierra Mist, 7UP, and even lemon-lime sparkling water (though you might want a bit more sugar if using sparkling water). Mountain Dew creates a totally different vibe but some of my friends love it.

“Do I have to make the strawberry syrup? Can’t I just use strawberry soda?” You COULD use strawberry soda, but the fresh strawberry syrup really makes a difference. It tastes so much more natural and you control the sweetness.

“How strong is this drink?” It’s sneaky! It tastes mostly like fruity soda but depending on how heavy-handed you are with the alcohol, it can be quite potent. Sip responsibly!

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