A Spicy Perspective

Transfusion Drink Recipe

The Best Transfusion Drink Recipe – This famous recipe is made with vodka, grape juice, and ginger ale. Transfusion cocktails are deliciously fruity and crisp, and perfect for summer!

Close view of a transfusion drink.

What is a Transfusion Cocktail?

According to my husband, this is a famous golf course favorite from before tee time to the 19th hole. Transfusion drinks are alcoholic beverages that are light and refreshing, with a pop of grape flavor.

But you don’t need to hit the links in order to enjoy! Classic transfusion cocktails are a breeze to make any time you want something bubbly and sweet, and deliciously (and deceptively) sippable. Simply layer ice, vodka, grape juice, and lime – stir – and finish with a generous splash of ginger ale.

Full shot of transfusion drink garnished with lime, ingredients in background.

5 Ingredients Needed

  • Vodka – your preferred brand
  • Grape Juice – I recommend 100% juice, not a cocktail blend
  • Lime Juice – freshly squeezed, plus lime slices to garnish
  • Ginger ale – or ginger beer
  • Ice – crushed or cubed
Lime halved on a cutting board, with half sliced thin.

Easy Recipe Steps

To start, slice a lime in half width-wise. Then slice one half into thin rings and juice the remaining half of the lime.

Next, fill a highball glass with crushed or cubed ice.

Hand juicer juicing limes.

Measure and pour in the vodka.

Hand adding shaker of vodka to glass with ice.

Then add grape juice.

Hand adding grape juice to tumbler.

Pour in freshly squeezed lime juice.

Get the Complete (Printable) Famous Transfusion Drink Recipe Below. Enjoy!

Hand adding shaker of lime juice.

Stir with a swizzle stick…

Metal swizzle stick stirring transfusion cocktail in a glass.

And lastly, top the glass off with ginger ale and a slice of lime to garnish.

Glass of cocktail with lime garnish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it called a Transfusion drink?

There are a few different theories as to where the name Transfusion comes from. One likely reason is because of the drink’s vibrant blood-red color.

What is the best vodka to make a Transfusion cocktail?

Choose your preferred smooth vodka. If you really love grapes, feel free to use grape-flavored vodka.

Besides ginger ale, what else can you mix with other Transfusion ingredients?

Give your drink even more bite by using ginger beer instead of ginger ale. Or for a more mild flavor, swap the ginger for simple sparkling water.

How many servings does this recipe make?

The ingredients as listed are enough to make one cocktail.

Close view of classic transfusion drink garnished with lime slice.

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Transfusion Drink Recipe

Prep Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 2 minutes
This classic drink recipe is made with vodka, grape juice, and ginger ale. Transfusion cocktails are deliciously fruity and crisp, and perfect for summer!
Servings: 1 cocktail

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Fill a highball glass or tumbler halfway with ice. Pour the vodka, grape juice, and lime juice over the ice. Stir well. Then top off the glass with ginger ale.
  • Garnish with a lime wedge or fresh grape.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sv, Calories: 176kcal, Carbohydrates: 11g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 5mg, Potassium: 66mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 11g, Vitamin A: 7IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 8mg, Iron: 1mg
Course: cocktail, Drinks
Cuisine: American
Author: Sommer Collier

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5 comments on “Transfusion Drink Recipe”

  1. Pingback: 2 Best Transfusion Cocktails to Infuse Your Summer Nights | DineWithDrinks

  2. thank you, I was looking for something different for cocktail hour this evening and these will do, hadn’t even had a transfusion before, of any kind, so much appreciated!

  3. These were so yummy and refreshing! Can’t wait to enjoy them all summer long…I think they’d be perfect by the pool!

  4. I will definitely be making this with sparkling water, since we don’t drink, but we love grape drinks! It will be so refreshing!

  5. This flavor-packed transfusion drink is easy to make and is a great summer drink!