Icy Lemon-Ginger Vodka Cocktail

Fans of classic frozen drinks from the Piña Colada to our Frozen Gin and Tonics will love this vodka-based, summer-ready cocktail. While most frozen cocktails call for regular ice cubes to give them their signature slushy consistency, you'll want to use flavored ice cubes made with frozen ginger syrup for the Icy Lemon-Ginger Vodka cocktail. Be warned: You might find yourself wondering why more frozen cocktails aren't made with flavored ice!

What makes the Icy Lemon-Ginger Vodka Cocktail work?

Making and freezing ginger syrup might seem like a tedious task, but doing so adds a slightly spicy, sweet flavor to an otherwise predictable vodka slushie. You’ll maximize tart, fresh citrus flavor by using lemon zest as well freshly squeezed lemon juice, both of which accentuate the herbaceous, bright notes from the mint sprig garnish. 

Not a vodka drinker, or just looking for a slightly more complex version of this summer-ready cocktail? We recommend swapping in London Dry gin which will add juniper, pine, and spruce notes to step each sip up a notch. — Oset Babür-Winter

Notes From the Food & Wine Test Kitchen

Breaking down raw ginger doesn’t have to be a challenging task. Simply peel the ginger's thin and delicate skin by scraping down the root with a metal teaspoon. We find that a spoon maneuvers around the nubs more easily than a paring knife.

Make Ahead

The lemon-ginger mixture for this cocktail can be frozen for up to one week.