The soft hum of cicadas, the creak of an old wooden chair, and a glass sweating in the night air. It started a few months ago, a personal ritual born not out of tradition, but out of necessity. After long days of writing, cooking, cleaning, and chaos, I needed something gentle to wind me down—a signal that the kitchen was closed, the world could wait, and the night was mine.
The balcony became my haven, a quiet spot lit by string lights and moonlight. One evening, I stood there with a few leftover ingredients in hand and an urge to make something indulgent but calming. Something cold, slightly boozy, a little nostalgic. A pink lemonade gin float? It sounded playful enough.
With a splash of gin, frozen strawberries, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream, the blender hummed to life. What poured out was silky, tart, sweet, and slightly floral. I sipped slowly, watching the stars inch across the sky, and felt everything heavy melt away.
This drink became a silent partner to my nightly reflections. I named it “On The Balcony” not because it needs to be served there—but because that’s where it belongs.
Short Description
A creamy, fruity, and slightly boozy frozen cocktail made with pink lemonade, gin, frozen strawberries, and vanilla ice cream—perfect for winding down on warm evenings.
Key Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- 12 oz pink lemonade concentrate
- ½ cup vanilla ice cream
- ½ cup frozen strawberries
- A handful of ice (for blending)
- Fresh strawberries (for garnish, optional)
Tools Needed
- Blender (high-powered for smoother texture)
- Measuring jigger or shot glass
- Chilled glasses for serving
- Knife and cutting board (if garnishing)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Blend the Base
Add the pink lemonade concentrate, gin, vanilla ice cream, and frozen strawberries into your blender. These ingredients form the creamy, tangy, and sweet backbone of the drink.
Step 2: Add Ice and Blend
Throw in a generous handful of ice. Blend on high until the texture becomes smooth and creamy, almost like a milkshake. This usually takes 30–45 seconds depending on your blender’s power.
Step 3: Taste and Adjust (Optional)
Before pouring, do a quick taste test. If it’s too strong, add a little more ice or a splash of cold water. If it’s too thick, a small pour of lemonade or gin can help balance the texture.
Step 4: Pour and Serve
Pour into chilled glasses immediately. The cold glass helps maintain the slushy consistency longer.
Step 5: Garnish and Enjoy
Top with a fresh strawberry slice or skewer for a charming finish. Serve with a straw or spoon, depending on how thick you prefer it.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
– Deliciously refreshing for warm nights
– A unique mix of tangy, creamy, and fruity
– Only six ingredients and one blender required
– No added sugar or syrups—just natural sweetness
– Visually stunning and fun to serve at gatherings
– Easily customizable with fruit swaps or spirit changes
– Feels like a dessert and cocktail in one
– Pairs perfectly with quiet evenings or social nights
Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions
Mistake 1: Over-blending
Issue: The drink becomes too watery.
Solution: Blend just until smooth. If it starts to lose thickness, add more ice or frozen fruit.
Mistake 2: Using fresh strawberries instead of frozen
Issue: The drink won’t be cold or thick enough.
Solution: Stick to frozen berries to get that slushy texture. If using fresh, freeze them first.
Mistake 3: Skipping the taste test
Issue: Too strong, too tart, or not creamy enough.
Solution: Always sample before pouring. You can easily tweak by adding more lemonade or ice cream.
Mistake 4: Not chilling your glasses
Issue: Drink melts too quickly.
Solution: Freeze your glasses for at least 10 minutes before serving.
Mistake 5: Adding ice before other ingredients
Issue: Ice can clump or damage blender blades.
Solution: Always add liquid and soft ingredients first, then ice last.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
This cocktail is ideal for:
– Evening wind-downs on the porch, balcony, or patio
– Dessert substitute—serve in a coupe glass with a spoon
– Brunches and garden parties—garnished with mint and a lemon wheel
– Girls’ night in—paired with fruit skewers or soft cheeses
– Serve it in margarita glasses rimmed with pink sugar for extra flair
– For a non-alcoholic version, skip the gin and use sparkling water for fizz
Storage and Reheating Tips
Since this is a frozen drink:
Do not store blended leftovers: they melt quickly and separate.
If prepping ahead: you can freeze the blended base in ice cube trays, then re-blend just before serving.
Keep ingredients on hand : in the freezer for quick blending: frozen lemonade, strawberries, and even pre-scooped ice cream portions.
FAQs
1. What kind of gin works best for this recipe?
Botanical gins with citrus or floral notes work best. Try a gin with hints of lemon, lavender, or cucumber.
2. Can I make this without alcohol?
Absolutely! Replace the gin with cold water, lemonade, or a splash of sparkling water.
3. Can I use store-bought pink lemonade instead of concentrate?
Yes, but you’ll need to use more ice or frozen strawberries to keep the slushy texture. The concentrate is thicker and helps with consistency.
4. What if I don’t have ice cream?
You can substitute with Greek yogurt for a tangier, healthier version, or frozen whipped topping for a lighter feel.
5. Can I make this in bulk for a party?
Yes! Just multiply the ingredients by the number of servings and blend in batches. Store the batches in the freezer and re-blend before serving.
Tips & Tricks
– Freeze your lemonade concentrate and strawberries ahead for ultra-thick results.
– Use crushed ice instead of cubes to reduce blending time.
– Add a splash of elderflower liqueur for a floral upgrade.
– Chill your serving glasses to slow down melting.
– For a sweeter finish, blend in a teaspoon of honey or agave.
– Serve with cocktail umbrellas or colorful straws to elevate the presentation.
Recipe Variations
1. Berry-Basil Twist
Swap: Use frozen mixed berries instead of just strawberries.
Add: A few fresh basil leaves while blending.
Flavor: More complex, with herbal notes.
2. Coconut Cream Dream
Swap: Replace vanilla ice cream with coconut milk ice cream.
Add: A tablespoon of shredded coconut before blending.
Flavor: Creamy and tropical with a coconut finish.
3. Citrus Burst
Swap: Replace pink lemonade with frozen orange juice concentrate.
Add: A few slices of orange zest while blending.
Flavor: Brighter, with a classic creamsicle vibe.
4. Frozen Mojito-Inspired Version
Swap: Use white rum instead of gin.
Add: Fresh mint leaves and a squeeze of lime.
Flavor: Fresh, minty, and reminiscent of mojitos.
5. Strawberry Shortcake Shaketail
Add: A graham cracker crumble on top after blending.
Serve: In a parfait glass with a spoon and strawberry slice.
Flavor: Dessert-forward, like a boozy milkshake.
Final Thoughts
Some recipes are more than just combinations of ingredients—they’re little rituals in a glass.Forget impressing anyone — “On The Balcony” is all about winding down. It invites you to take a pause, exhale, and feel present.
The way the creamy vanilla blends into the citrus, the tartness of the strawberries mellowed by a quiet gin finish, balanced in a way that feels thoughtful and slow. And when the night stretches out just right, with that familiar glass in hand and the hum of the evening settling in, I know exactly why this recipe matters.
On The Balcony
Print ThisIngredients
- 2 oz gin
- 12 oz pink lemonade concentrate
- ½ cup vanilla ice cream
- ½ cup frozen strawberries
- A handful of ice (for blending)
- Fresh strawberries (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Blend the Base
Add the pink lemonade concentrate, gin, vanilla ice cream, and frozen strawberries into your blender.
Step 2: Add Ice and Blend
Throw in a generous handful of ice.
Step 3: Taste and Adjust (Optional)
Before pouring, do a quick taste test.
Step 4: Pour and Serve
The cold glass helps maintain the slushy consistency longer.
Step 5: Garnish and Enjoy
Top with a fresh strawberry slice or skewer for a charming finish.
