The first warm evening after a stretch of rainy days caught me by surprise. The quiet company of my balcony and the fading sunset that turned everything in sight a soft gold. I hadn’t planned to make anything fancy, but something about that moment nudged me to celebrate it in my own small way.
I opened the freezer and spotted a tub of vanilla ice cream that had survived a recent dessert night. Right next to it were frozen strawberries, forgotten from a smoothie phase. On the door shelf? A can of pink lemonade concentrate I’d bought out of nostalgia but hadn’t touched. And somewhere in the cabinet, a bottle of gin I’d been meaning to use up.
I didn’t know exactly what I was making yet, but I knew I wanted something cool, playful, and just a little indulgent. With everything blended together, I poured the mixture into a chilled glass and stepped outside. The drink was tangy and creamy, with just enough sharpness from the gin to keep it from feeling like a dessert. I didn’t plan for this little rooftop escape, but it turned into a new favorite—simple, refreshing, and worthy of its own name.
Now, I share it with you as On The Balcony, for any time you find yourself unexpectedly in the mood for something bright and beautiful.
Short Description
A creamy, fruity cocktail blending pink lemonade, gin, vanilla ice cream, and frozen strawberries—perfect for warm evenings and spontaneous celebrations. Cool, slightly boozy, and wonderfully refreshing.
Key Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- 12 oz pink lemonade concentrate (frozen)
- ½ cup vanilla ice cream
- ½ cup frozen strawberries
- A handful of ice
- Fresh strawberries (optional, for garnish)
Tools Needed
- Blender (high-speed recommended)
- Measuring cups
- Cocktail glasses (preferably chilled)
- Paring knife (for garnishes)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Ingredients
Make sure your pink lemonade concentrate is still frozen or semi-thawed for best texture. Measure out the gin, vanilla ice cream, and frozen strawberries.
Step 2: Blend It All Together
Add the pink lemonade concentrate, gin, vanilla ice cream, and frozen strawberries to the blender. Blend on medium speed for 15-20 seconds until the base starts to come together.
Step 3: Add the Ice
Add a generous handful of ice to the blender. Blend on high for about 30 seconds, or until the texture is creamy and smooth with no chunks. It should be the consistency of a thick smoothie—cold, fluffy, and silky.
Step 4: Serve Immediately
Pour the mixture into pre-chilled cocktail glasses. The drink will have a soft pink hue with a frosty top layer.
Step 5: Garnish for Style
Slice a fresh strawberry halfway up the middle and perch it on the rim of each glass. Or float a small strawberry on top for an Instagram-worthy finish.
Step 6: Sip and Enjoy
Serve right away while it’s cold and creamy. Remember to enjoy responsibly.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Quick & Easy – Blends together in under 5 minutes
No Fancy Bar Tools Needed – Just a blender and a glass
Versatile – Can be easily modified to taste or dietary needs
Perfect for Summer – Light, chilled, and tangy
A Dessert-Cocktail Combo – Feels indulgent without being too heavy
Visually Beautiful – A dreamy pink drink that looks as good as it tastes
Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions
1. Using Melted Ice Cream
Problem: Results in a watery, thin drink
Solution: Make sure the ice cream is frozen solid before blending. If it’s melted, refreeze or reduce the amount of lemonade concentrate.
2. Over-Blending with Ice
Problem: The drink becomes foamy and thin
Solution: Blend just until smooth. Over-blending introduces too much air. Stop once the texture is creamy and thick.
3. Skipping the Ice
Problem: Drink won’t be cold or have that frosty cocktail texture
Solution: Always add a handful of ice to thicken and chill the mix.
4. Using Fresh Strawberries Instead of Frozen
Problem: Lack of body and temperature
Solution: Stick with frozen strawberries to keep the blend thick and properly chilled.
5. Adding Too Much Gin
Problem: Overpowers the fruity flavors
Solution: Stick to 2 oz. If you prefer a stronger drink, add 0.5 oz increments and taste as you go.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
How to Serve: In chilled coupe or highball glasses, garnished with fresh strawberries or citrus peels for flair.
Food Pairings: Great alongside summer charcuterie boards, grilled seafood skewers, or a light arugula salad with feta and citrus vinaigrette.
Serving Styles: Ideal for casual gatherings, rooftop evenings, or as a welcome drink at brunch parties. Serve buffet-style in pitchers with small tasting glasses, or plated as a dessert cocktail after dinner.
Storage and Reheating Tips
While this cocktail is best enjoyed fresh, here are some tips if you need to prep ahead:
Storage: Pour any leftovers into an airtight container and freeze for up to 2 days. Stir or shake well before serving again.
Reheating (Thawing): Allow to thaw in the fridge for about 15–20 minutes. Re-blend briefly with ice to restore texture if needed.
FAQs
1. Can I make this drink non-alcoholic?
Yes! Replace the gin with sparkling water or lemon-lime soda for a refreshing mocktail.
2. Can I double the recipe for a crowd?
Absolutely. Just make sure your blender can handle the volume. Blend in batches if needed.
3. What if I don’t have pink lemonade concentrate?
You can substitute with regular lemonade concentrate and a splash of cranberry juice or grenadine for the color and flavor.
4. Can I use dairy-free ice cream?
Yes, coconut-based or almond milk ice creams work great and maintain that creamy texture.
5. Will this drink keep me full like a smoothie?
It’s more of a treat than a meal replacement. While it’s creamy and rich, it’s not meant to replace a meal or smoothie nutritionally.
Tips & Tricks
– Chill your glasses in the freezer 15 minutes before serving for an extra-cold finish.
– Use a high-speed blender for the smoothest texture.
– Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice if you like more tartness.
– Pre-slice your garnishes and freeze them to help keep your drink cold longer.
– For a party: make a big batch and freeze in popsicle molds for adult slushie treats.
Recipe Variations
1. Tropical Twist
Replace frozen strawberries with frozen mango
Use coconut ice cream instead of vanilla
Add a splash of pineapple juice
Flavor profile: Creamy, citrusy, and tropical
2. Berry Mojito Remix
Add a handful of fresh mint leaves to the blender
Use raspberry sorbet in place of ice cream
Swap gin for white rum
Flavor profile: Minty, berry-forward with a mojito edge
3. Vegan Version
Use plant-based vanilla ice cream (oat milk or almond)
Add a dash of agave if sweetness needs a boost
Flavor profile: Just as creamy, completely dairy-free
4. Creamsicle Cocktail
Replace pink lemonade with orange juice concentrate
Keep the vanilla ice cream
Garnish with orange zest
Flavor profile: Like an orange creamsicle with a gin kick
Final Thoughts
Sitting outside with this frosty glass in hand, I realized how some recipes aren’t planned—they happen in the in-between. On The Balcony came together out of leftover ingredients, an open evening, and a craving for something unreasonably pretty. And sometimes, those are the best creations.
The beauty of this drink lies in its balance—it feels like a slushie but tastes like a cocktail, creamy without being heavy, sweet but not sugary. It’s the kind of thing you make not just to cool off, but to slow down, even if just for a moment. And with every sip, that moment—be it five minutes or an entire evening—starts to feel a little more like yours.”
On The Balcony
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- 12 oz pink lemonade concentrate frozen
- ½ cup vanilla ice cream
- ½ cup frozen strawberries
- A handful of ice
- Fresh strawberries optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Make sure your pink lemonade concentrate is still frozen or semi-thawed for best texture. Measure out the gin, vanilla ice cream, and frozen strawberries.
- Add the pink lemonade concentrate, gin, vanilla ice cream, and frozen strawberries to the blender. Blend on medium speed for 15-20 seconds until the base starts to come together.
- Add a generous handful of ice to the blender. Blend on high for about 30 seconds, or until the texture is creamy and smooth with no chunks. It should be the consistency of a thick smoothie—cold, fluffy, and silky.
- Pour the mixture into pre-chilled cocktail glasses. The drink will have a soft pink hue with a frosty top layer.
- Slice a fresh strawberry halfway up the middle and perch it on the rim of each glass. Or float a small strawberry on top for an Instagram-worthy finish.
- Serve right away while it’s cold and creamy. Remember to enjoy responsibly.
