If you don't know by now, America Juice is a true Sexton family favorite. The classic version is just two ingredients - cucumber vodka and regular lemonade. Today, I'm sharing a low-calorie version of this summer cocktail.
This easy lightened-up summer cocktail is low-calorie and perfectly refreshing for a hot summer day. The recipe uses cucumber, lemon and vodka and is the perfect beach or pool cocktail. This drink is also low-point cocktail.
The term America Juice was coined by my wonderful sister-in-law who called this "America Juice" because she would serve it out of her Igloo cooler bottle that she painted like an American flag. The inspiration for America Juice came from a cocktail ordered at a bar in Block Island the first summer I joined their family there, about 10 years ago!
What do I need to make this low-calorie summer cocktail?
Like I mentioned above, the classic version is just two ingredients: cucumber vodka and lemonade. To make the lightened-up America juice, I use a lower-sugar lemonade, fresh-squeezed lemon juice and top it off with seltzer. To make it, you'll just need a few ingredients:
- Light lemonade (I use Simply Lemonade)
- Cucumber vodka (I use Effen Cucumber Vodka)
- Half of a lemon
- Lemon-flavored seltzer water (you could use plain seltzer water, too!)
Of course, you can feel free to adjust the ratio to your taste buds here if you'd like. Sometimes we add an extra shot of cucumber vodka and a little bit more lemonade. The best part of this recipe is that it is VERY easy to scale up or down if you're looking to make a batch. We love making a huge batch of this to bring to our friends at the pool in the summer, or down the street to our neighbors' house. We also love drinking this on the beach in the Outer Banks. If you're looking for the perfect summer cocktail, look no further.
Lightened-Up America Juice
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 glass 1x
Description
If you don't know by now, America Juice is a Sexton family favorite. The inspiration for America Juice came from a cocktail ordered by my sister-in-law at a bar in Block Island 10 summers ago! When I say it's the PERFECT summer cocktail, I mean it.
Ingredients
- ½ fresh lemon
- 1.5oz Effen Cucumber Vodka
- ½ cup Simply Light Lemonade (you could use regular lemonade here if you prefer)
- Lemon-flavored seltzer (you could leave this out if you prefer a non-carbonated version)
Instructions
- Fill a lowball glass with ice.
- Add the vodka, lemonade, and half of a fresh-squeezed lemon. Stir together.
- Finish off with seltzer water.
Notes
The classic version of America Juice is just plain lemonade and cucumber vodka. This is a lightened-up version of the cocktail.
Elissa says
Are those acrylic glasses from crate and barrel? If so I have them too. Have you been putting them in the dishwasher? Thanks and this looks soooo yummy and refreshing.