Classic Transfusion Cocktail Recipe
Popular at golf clubs, the Transfusion Cocktail is a fruity and slightly tart drink that’s made of vodka, ginger ale and grape juice.
The Transfusion Cocktail is a staple in country clubs and golf courses. And it’s probably a golf drink of choice since it’s highball cocktail. Meaning it has larger amount of non-alcoholic mixer to its base alcohol. So it’s light and refreshing enough for you to still be able to make it to the 19th hole.
And do not worry because you don’t need to know anything about golf or be in an exclusive country club to enjoy a Transfusion drink. You can make it at home in a breeze to enjoy a sweet glass of this ruby-red drink. Also, if you ever have a golf-themed party, this is the drink you need to prepare for your guests!
What is a Transfusion Cocktail?
The Transfusion gets its name from its bright beautiful red color. So though this may be a golf drink, it also makes for a festive Halloween drink especially if you serve it with dry ice for a spooky effect. The Transfusion recipe calls for a vodka base, mixed with Concord grape juice and fresh lime juice and topped off with sparkling ginger ale.
Ingredients Need
- Vodka
- Grape juice — The classic Transfusion drink recipe calls for Concord grape juice. Most purple grape juice consist of Concord grapes, which contain higher antioxidants than other grape juices. However, regular grape juice also works if that’s all that you have on hand. Some recipes call for cranberry juice, but we prefer the classic Concord grape juice that is less tart.
- Fresh lime juice
- Ginger ale — A common choice in cocktails to achieve a sweet fizz and also used in pumpkin punch.
- Grapes, lime wheels, candied ginger — Optional for garnish to enhance the cocktail
- Ice
Useful Equipment to Have on Hand to Make this Cocktail
You can easily make this Transfusion recipe straight in a drinking glass. However, we like to use a good old shake to mix everything well and to chill the ingredients with some ice. We promise you that it’s effortless and that there’s not much tools involved. To make this cocktail, all you need are:
- Jigger — To measure the pour of each liquid.
- Cocktail shaker
- Highball glass or whiskey glass — The Transfusion drink is typically served in a highball glass. But in this post, we used a whiskey glass since we did not want it as “watered down” by the ginger ale.
- Cocktail pick — Optional for the garnish
How to Make a Transfusion Cocktail
1 — Pour the vodka, grape juice, and lime juice into a cocktail shaker with a few ice cubes. Shake vigorously for about 1 minute, or until the shaker feels icy cold.
2 — Fill a glass with fresh ice and strain the mixture over it.
3 — Top with ginger ale and gently stir to combine.
4 — Optional: Garnish with a lime wheel, a grape, and a cube of candied ginger on a cocktail pick.
Recipe Notes and Tips
- Chill everything before mixing: Cold vodka, juice, and ginger ale = a crisper, more refreshing cocktail without needing too much ice (which can dilute it).
- Adjust the ginger ale-to-juice ratio to taste: Prefer it more tart or more fizzy? Play with the balance. A common ratio is 2 ounce vodka, 2 ounce grape juice, and 2–4 ounce ginger ale.
- Try a ginger beer swap for more bite: Want more spice than sweet? Use ginger beer instead of ginger ale for a bold twist.
- Make it a mocktail: Skip the vodka, add extra lime and a splash of club soda for a booze-free refresher.
More Grape Flavored Recipes to Try
Transfusion Recipe
Equipment
- Glass
- Cocktail pick
Ingredients
- 3 oz vodka
- 2 oz grape juice preferably Concord grape juice
- 1/2 oz lime juice
- Ginger ale to top off
- 1 lime wheel optional for garnish
- 1 grape optional for garnish
- 1 candied ginger optional for garnish
Nutrition
Instructions
- Pour the vodka, grape juice, and lime juice in a cocktail shaker with a couple of ice cubes. Shake well for about 1 minute or until the shaker gets icy cold.
- Add ice to a glass and strain your mixture into it.
- Top off with ginger ale.
- Optional: Garnish with a lime wheel, grape, and candied ginger cube on a cocktail pick.
Tried this recipe? Share your Transfusion cocktail with on Instagram, using the hashtag #sugarandclothloves. We always love seeing all of your creations! Looking for more quick and delicious recipes? Find them all right here!
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