I’m a sucker for the Masters. The green jacket. The hush on 12. The pimento cheese. And that pink drink—yeah, the Azalea. If you’re curious how Augusta National itself builds the cocktail—vodka, lemonade and a blush of grenadine—you can peek at the official tournament recipe for a baseline before you start riffing.
If you want another play-by-play of shaking up this classic, check out this breakdown of mixing the Masters Azalea at home—it helped me shortcut a few missteps.
Let me explain what I tried, what flopped, and the version I now keep on a sticky note by the blender.
What the Azalea Tastes Like (or Should)
It’s a lemonade punch with a sunset tint. Light. Cold. A little tart. Sweet, but not candy. Think summer porch, not cough syrup. It should look like a pink flower just opened. If it’s neon red, it’s off. If it’s pale and sad, also off.
My Base Recipe to Start
Here’s the simple build I began with. I used a shaker, but a mason jar with a lid works.
- 1.5 oz vodka
- 2 oz fresh lemonade
- 1 oz pineapple juice
- 1/2 oz grenadine (just a splash more if your lemonade is very tart)
- Crushed ice
- Lemon wheel or cherry, if you feel cute
Shake it quick with ice. Strain over crushed ice in a tall glass. Garnish. Smile.
Real Example #1: Store Lemonade + Rose’s Grenadine + Tito’s
I made a pitcher during Round 2. I grabbed big jugs of store lemonade and Rose’s grenadine, plus Tito’s because it’s easy. It turned bright pink and tasted like, well, pink lemonade with a kick.
- What I liked: Easy pour. Everybody drank it.
- What bugged me: Too sweet after glass two. My friend Jess said, “Tasty, but it sticks to your teeth.” She was right. Also, color was a bit fake-looking.
Real Example #2: Fresh Lemon Juice + Simple Syrup + Pineapple + Vodka
On Saturday, I squeezed lemons. I know, it’s a chore. I made a quick simple syrup (equal parts sugar and hot water). I kept the vodka the same.
- 1.5 oz vodka
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1 oz simple syrup
- 1 oz pineapple juice
- 1/2 oz real grenadine (I used a pomegranate one from the fancy aisle)
This batch hit the sweet spot. Bright, clean, softer pink. Tart first, then sweet, then pineapple whisper at the end. My brother—who only drinks light beer—asked for seconds. That never happens.
Real Example #3: Gin Twist (Tanqueray)
I thought vodka was the way. Then gin surprised me.
- Swapped vodka for 1.5 oz gin (Tanqueray)
- Kept the rest the same as Example #2
Result: A tiny pine note under the citrus. More grown-up. Not heavy. My aunt called it “garden party in a glass,” which made us laugh, but she nailed it. If you like G&Ts, this is your play.
Real Example #4: Ice Matters (Crushed vs Cubed)
I did a side-by-side. Crushed ice chilled it fast and watered it down just right. Cubed ice kept it sharper and boozy longer.
- Crushed ice: Softer, more “golf course” feel.
- Cubed ice: Better if you sip slow or you film your pick on 16 and forget your drink for five minutes.
Real Example #5: Non-Alcoholic for My Neighbor
We had kids in the yard, so I mixed a zero-proof version.
- 3 oz lemonade
- 1.5 oz pineapple juice
- 1/2 oz grenadine
- Splash of soda water
- Crushed ice
It looked the same and tasted bright. The kids called it “pink Masters soda.” Cute. Also handy for a second drink when you don’t want the wobble.
What I Loved
- Simple stuff. No weird syrups. You can batch it.
- It looks happy. That color sells it.
- Works with vodka or gin. Honestly, gin wins for me.
What I Didn’t
- Rose’s grenadine made it candy-sweet. It also pushed the color too red.
- Cheap lemonade turned flat fast. The drink felt sleepy after ten minutes.
- Vodka versions can taste plain if your lemonade is weak.
The Version I Saved (My Final Spec)
This is the one I now make on Masters Sunday. It tastes like azaleas look—clean, pink, fresh.
- 1.5 oz gin (Tanqueray or Bombay; vodka if you insist)
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1 oz simple syrup
- 1 oz pineapple juice
- 1/3–1/2 oz real grenadine (add to color, not the other way around)
- Crushed ice
- Lemon wheel or a cherry
Shake with ice for 10–12 seconds. Strain over crushed ice. If it looks too pale, kiss it with another barspoon of grenadine. You want “soft pink,” not “fire truck.”
Tiny Tips That Helped
- Taste your lemonade before mixing. If it’s sweet, cut back the syrup or grenadine.
- Use a real grenadine with pomegranate. If all you have is Rose’s, use less and add a touch more lemon.
- Batch in a pitcher: Keep the grenadine on the side. Let guests add for color. It’s fun, and it keeps the pitcher from turning red fast.
- Keep a salt shaker nearby. One tiny pinch wakes up flat lemonade. Weird, but it works.
- Need ideas for dialing in real pomegranate flavor? I leaned on this honest sip test of a pomegranate cocktail to get my grenadine ratios on point.
For an expanded, step-by-step walkthrough—including batching math, glassware picks, and clever zero-proof twists—check out this comprehensive guide to perfecting the Azalea at home.
For even deeper dives into balancing citrus, sweeteners, and spirits, I’ve leaned on the tutorials over at Roosterfish Bar—worth a scroll if you’re tinkering with your own Azalea upgrade.
How It Stacks Up to the One I Bought at the Course
The one I had on a past trip was lighter and very cold. Less sweet than the Rose’s version, more like Example #2 with vodka. Mine with gin had more aroma, which I liked. Their ice was crushed to snow, which I’m now hooked on.
Who Will Like This
- Vodka fans who want a bright porch drink
- Gin fans who like citrus and perfume notes
- Folks who like a party pitcher that looks fancy with almost no effort
- Peach-drink lovers looking for a breezy porch sipper—my go-to inspiration is this peach cocktail recipe that details what went right and wrong
After a couple of rounds, if the laid-back Masters mood has you thinking about some lighthearted online flirting, you might enjoy this candid look at a popular location-based sexting app: Fuckr review. It breaks down the app’s features, usability, and safety tips so you can decide whether to download it while you’re sipping your second Azalea.
If your ideal post-round scenario involves someone who’ll happily stock the bar with top-shelf gin, pick up the check for fresh-squeezed citrus, and maybe even spring for tickets to Augusta next year, you might want to explore the sugar-dating scene in East Texas—this in-depth resource on becoming or finding a benefactor in the area, the Sugar Daddy Nacogdoches guide, walks you through the local landscape, expectations, and safety pointers so you can decide whether a mutually rewarding arrangement fits your lifestyle.
My Takeaway
The Masters Azalea is simple joy in a tall glass. When made right, it tastes like spring—easy, tart, and pink as a flower bed by 13. Go fresh on the lemon, gentle on the grenadine, and don’t skip the crushed ice.
Score: 4.5/5. I take a half point for the sweetness trap if you use the wrong syrup. But when it hits? You’ll set your glass down, watch Amen Corner, and think, yep—this is the drink.