Pink Dragon Fruit Cocktail
This pink dragon fruit cocktail is a burst of color and flavor in every sip. Its vibrant pink hue makes it an instant showstopper, perfect for impressing guests or adding a splash of fun to any gathering. With dragon fruit’s mildly sweet, tropical taste balanced by citrusy lime and a hint of sparkling soda, this cocktail is as refreshing as it is beautiful.
Crafting this drink is simple, but the result feels like something you’d get at a beachside bar. Start by blending pink dragon fruit with a touch of lime juice for a tart twist, then add your favorite spirit and a splash of soda to lighten it up. The cocktail’s natural color and fruity aroma make it feel luxurious, while its light, smooth finish will keep you coming back for more. Delicious for all!
If you’re now drooling for this gorgeous drink, let’s get started!
Why You’ll Love This Pretty Pink Cocktail
This pink dragon fruit cocktail is vibrant, refreshing, and easy to make, making it a go-to for any occasion! With its beautiful color, light tropical taste, and a hint of zesty lime, each sip feels like a mini vacation. You’ll love how simple ingredients come together to create a drink that’s as fun to make as it is to enjoy!
- Stunning Color. The vibrant pink color from the dragon fruit makes this cocktail look amazing! It’s bright, eye-catching, and perfect for any occasion that needs a pop of color. Guests are sure to love it as much for its looks as its taste!
- Refreshing Flavor. With dragon fruit’s subtly sweet, tropical flavor and a splash of lime, this drink feels light and refreshing. The lime adds a zesty, citrusy kick that balances perfectly with the smoothness of the vodka. It’s a thirst-quenching treat that’s perfect for warm days or fun nights.
- Simple Ingredients. You only need four ingredients—pink dragon fruit, vodka, lime, and soda water—to make this cocktail! These easy-to-find ingredients make it convenient and quick to whip up. Plus, using fresh dragon fruit adds a little extra flair that feels special.
- Easy to Make. This cocktail doesn’t require any fancy techniques or equipment, making it perfect for all skill levels. Just blend the dragon fruit, add vodka and lime, then top with soda for a bubbly finish. It’s so easy, you’ll want to make it for every get-together!
- Perfect for Any Occasion. This would be an absolute treat for guests, especially since you can double or triple the amounts to make it in big batches. Serve it to ring in the new year or celebrate Valentine’s Day with that special someone.
Key Ingredients and Substitutions in a Dragon Fruit Cocktail
Discover the key ingredients that make a pink dragon fruit cocktail truly special, along with easy substitutions to fit your taste! From the bright, tropical flavor of dragon fruit to the zesty kick of lime and smooth vodka, each ingredient brings something unique to the mix. You’ll find simple swaps and tips to customize this colorful cocktail for any occasion:
- Dragonfruit (aka Pitaya): The star ingredient that gives this cocktail its striking color and a mild, slightly sweet flavor with tropical notes. It adds both visual appeal and a unique taste. If pink dragon fruit isn’t available, try using frozen pitaya (dragon fruit) packs, often found in the freezer aisle. For a similar look with a different flavor, you can substitute with fresh raspberries or strawberries blended with a bit of water for a vibrant color.
- Vodka: A neutral spirit that pairs well with the other ingredients without overpowering them, letting the fruit flavors shine. It adds a smooth alcoholic base that complements the light and fruity elements of the drink. Alternatively, you can use white rum or gin for a slight twist on the classic vodka-based version. We used Koskenkorva vodka — we love this brand because they have a sustainability-focused distillery.
- Lime Juice: Adds a zesty, citrusy brightness that balances the sweetness of the dragon fruit and gives the cocktail a refreshing kick. Its acidity enhances all the flavors, making each sip taste clean and crisp. Fresh lime juice is best for a bright, natural taste, but if you’re out, bottled or powdered lime juice works as a substitute. For a twist, try lemon juice for a slightly different citrus flavor or even grapefruit juice for a touch of bitterness.
- Seltzer, Soda, or Sparkling Water: Brings a light, bubbly texture to the cocktail, making it feel refreshing and lively. If you want a sweeter drink, swap seltzer with flavored sparkling water, such as lime or berry, for an added hint of fruitiness. You can also use tonic water if you prefer a slightly bitter edge to contrast the dragon fruit’s sweetness.
What to Serve with Your Dragon Fruit Cocktail
Just like the art of wine pairing, choosing the right dishes to serve with your drinks can really elevate the whole experience. Depending on whether you want something sweet or savory, there are plenty of complimentary options to consider. Here are our favorite options:
- Popcorn, with a light dusting of truffle salt to make it extra fancy
- Toasted almonds, candied walnuts, sweet candied pecans, or salted mixed nuts
- Lemon-thyme marinated olives or fried olives
- A beautiful hummus board with crackers (like these tasty almond flour crackers!) and spreadable cheese
- These colorful homemade vegan PopTarts
- Stuffed dates with nut butter and chocolate (freeze for an extra cooling vibe for summer cocktail parties)
- Vanilla sugar cookies or shortbread
- Dairy-Free Ice Cream Cake for a fun birthday celebration
- Vegan Chocolate Truffles
- Vegan Girl Scout cookies
FAQs
Also known as pitaya, dragon fruit is a tropical fruit of several different cactus species, indigenous to the Americas. It has a striking appearance, most commonly with bright pink or yellow skin and white flesh that has dark black seeds, although pink flesh is most popular, given its vibrant hue. The flavor is lightly sweet and very subtle.
Keepin’ it booze-free? No worries! This drink will be equally satisfying made virgin. Just leave out the vodka and you’re golden! This drink will have Shirley Temple soda vibes but for the modern era. Without alcohol, this drink is kid-friendly too!
Luckily, they’re a snap to break down once you know the trick for easy, clean cuts. Place the fruit on a cutting board and lay the dragon fruit on its side. Use a sharp knife to cut the fruit in half lengthwise, starting from the top of the fruit down to the stem. Use a large spoon to scoop out the flesh like you would for an avocado. Alternatively, use your fingers to peel away the skin. Cut the flesh into slices or cubes, as desired. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Keep in the freezer if you’d like to keep extra dragonfruit on hand at all times.
Be sure to check out our vegan alcohol guide and vegan vodka guide to see the boozy options available that won’t compromise your ethics!
More Vegan Drinks You’ll Want to Fill Your Glass With
Movie night, anyone? Queue up one of these life-changing documentaries to watch as you enjoy this recipe. Every film on the list is a must-see, truly.
Pink Dragon Fruit Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon muddled pink dragonfruit, fresh or frozen and thawed
- Ice, to taste
- 1 shot vodka, or more to taste (I used Koskenkorva)
- Fill glass with your favorite clear sparkling soda
- 1 squeeze lime juice
- Lime slices, for garnish (optional)
- Fresh blackberries, for garnish (optional)
- Sprig of mint, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mortar and pestle, or directly in your cocktail glass, muddle approximately 1 tablespoon of frozen or fresh pink dragonfruit. If you muddled in a separate bowl, add the mashed dragonfruit to your cocktail glass.
- Add ice, vodka, soda, a squeeze of fresh lime, and mix with a drink stirrer.
- Garnish with fresh blackberries, lime slices, and a sprig of mint.
Video
Notes
- Choose the Right Dragon Fruit: There are two main varieties of dragonfruit—one has pink flesh and the other has white flesh—but both have the same pink exterior. You will need the kind with the pink flesh inside to make this cocktail.
- How to Add a Sugar Rim: Simply dip the rim of the glass in water and then dip it into some granulated sugar.
Nutrition
Please note that this post was sponsored by Marussia Beverages / Koskenkorva Vodka. Please drink responsibly!
You may also like...
Enter to Win Our Monthly Giveaway!
New winner evert month! Drop your name below for a chance to win hundreds of dollars of vegan prizes from our brand partners. You’ll also receive our weekly e-newsletter with plant-based recipes galore!
Leave a Comment
Love it! Any idea where those cocktail glasses are from??
I got them from World Market several years ago 🙂
all these new cocktails look really good!! Can’t wait to try them!
So delightfully colorful and delicious. What a great idea!
this is going to be a for sure favorite! thanks for the recipe!
This just may be the prettiest cocktail I’ve ever seen!
This is the PERFECT Valentine’s Day cocktail! So fun to make, and honestly the most beautiful drink I’ve ever had. Well worth the extra effort of getting some dragonfruit. I usually keep dragonfruit on hand in the freezer!