How To Make A Purple Rain Cocktail

With its eye-catching colour and tasty flavour, the Purple Rain cocktail is a staple in party bars and pubs. If you’re based in the UK, no doubt you’ll have tried the iconic Wetherspoons version. But did you know the vodka-based drink is easy to make at home? Whizz up this recipe for your next summer soiree. 

What Is A Purple Rain Cocktail?

A purple rain cocktail is a long vodka-based drink with a purple/blue hue – a result of combining blue curacao with grenadine, a sweet syrup. It has a fruity taste and is a popular cocktail during the spring and summer months.

History

The history of the Purple Rain cocktail remains elusive. Some say it was created by a bartender in Minnesota back in the early ‘80s, while others believe it began in New York. Either way, it’s widely thought the drink was named after the 1984 song by Prince.

Purple Rain Ingredients

A Purple Rain cocktail is simple to make. It is a mix of vodka, blue curacao, grenadine, lemonade, lime juice and ice. Some recipes top the drink up with soda water.

Purple Rain Cocktail Recipe

Ingredients:

• 3 x handfuls of party ice
• 45ml vodka
• 30ml grenadine
• 30ml lemon juice
• 30ml lime juice
• 30ml blue curacao
• Soda water
• Orange wedge and lime wheel

Method:

1. Fill a shaker with party ice and add the vodka, grenadine, lemon juice and lime juice and shake well.
2. Fill your glass with party ice and strain the mixture over the ice before topping up with soda water.
3. To finish, slowly pour the blue curacao over a spoon into your glass to create your tie die cocktail. 
4. To serve, garnish with a wedge of orange and a lime wheel. Enjoy!

Recipe from The Ice Co