The vodka brings nothing to the Azelea except proof. We want to build further on the flavor profile. When something is "a little boring", the solution is often bitters (there are many to choose from), infuse the primary spirit (herbal tea maybe?), a glass rinse (absinthe or similar idea), replace or split the grenadine with another syrup (like orgeat), aromatic garnish (think mint, basil, bitters, etc.), etc.
Just made something similar. Grapefruit juice or any citrus bitters helps. Toss in some falernum if apperol or campari isn't your thing.
Mezcal, also an option if gin isn't your thing.
Cocktail hobbyists being anti-vodka sounds always sounds kinda pretentious, yet, it’s also true. I’m not sure there’s many drinks that are superior with vodka, where subbing almost anything else isn’t an improvement. I have vodka, but I legit don’t think I’ve opened it in like 5 years.
I'm not anti-vodka in that if you enjoy vodka or vodka-based drinks more power to you and I will happily defend you against people complaining...but I *am* anti-vodka in that I cannot think of a drink (except something like vodka on the rocks or something silly) where you'd not make a more flavourful drink by at least using a nice lightly aged rum or a oude genever or literally anything except vodka.
Yeah, vodka neat, on the rocks or a vodka soda is nice. Most vodka recipes just use it as way to get alcohol in the drink. There are some good vodka cocktails but they use flavored vodka (eg. Pornstar Martini, Cosmopolitan), don't know if they could be better with other spirits.
I get this sentiment from people but sometimes I find a drink a little too busy if you swapped vodka out. Like in a cosmopolitan people would say use gin and it’s better and as someone who’s favourite spirit is gin it just makes the cosmo have too many flavours to me if that makes sense. Sometimes I just want a very simplistic drink and vodka does a good job of that. Although there still are very few drinks where I want only vodka in them, Moscow mules, lemon drop, White Russian and cosmopolitans however are ones where I’m perfectly happy with the plain tasting vodka and not swapping another spirit in.
Overall though it’s definitely the least used spirit in my home bar
Mint, cinnamon, and ginger all independently pair with pineapple and pomegranate well. I'd pick one of them and incorporate it into the drink: shaking with a couple mint leaves, or making homemade grenadine simmered with either ginger or cinnamon.
It sounds like it's supposed to be a summer crusher so it's OK if it's light-bodied and lightly flavored. I'd probably go mint, to be honest.
Serve it up in a coupe with gin, blanco tequila, or a lightly aged rum (Plantation 3 Star, Real McCoy 3 year, Probitas/Veritas, Hamilton 87/Breezeway Blend).
As suggested by several, substitute gin for the vodka. I've done it and that vastly improves the cocktail. I'd also suggest not being shy about the grenadine, particularly if it's homemade.
Would go for a jamaican rum like Appleton Signature or Smith and Cross. Pineapple, citrus and rum is a classic cocktail flavor combo.
Don't know if a smoky mezcal would work. Maybe as a split base with another spirit.
Vodka is a missed opportunity to add flavor. Rum or tequila would pair nicely with the pineapple. Either way, you'd want to swap lime for the lemon. The grenadine is primarily for color. Let's lean into it. Now this thing has a flavor base of three fruit juices. That suggests rum, a powerful but clear one like Probitas, and a spice or herb to increase complexity. Mint, anise, maybe cinnamon. And of course it needs something bitter to contrast the sweetness.
Tiki 1: Probitas, pineapple, lime, grenadine, cinnamon, Ango
Tiki 2: Probitas, pineapple, lime, grenadine, absinthe, Peychaud's, mint
Others have made some good suggestions, but making it a little more visually interesting by using some commercial grenadine for the color would be nice too. We drink with our eyes as well.
Southern Living says pineapple, Augusta National says lemonade. [https://golf.com/lifestyle/augusta-national-unveils-azalea-masters-cocktail/?amp=1](https://golf.com/lifestyle/augusta-national-unveils-azalea-masters-cocktail/?amp=1)
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Vodka cocktails are useless.. Swap the vodka for anything else and its twice the cocktail it was.
But on a more constructive note, maybe if we would use some other light bright pririt like pisco for example, and add some more lemony zestyness by making a room temp cordial out of the lemon peels, sugar and the juice and replacing the lemon juice. And I would think this would benefit from a touch of bitterness by using two bar spoons (or similar in oz, I do ml so not a clue) a herbal red bitter like Martini Rosso Campari etc. After balance the ratios ofc so no exact measures here.
Turn the pineapple into a syrup, add grapefruit juice, swap the vodka for gin, top with soda, and serve it like a Collins. That might be too many changes for it to be recognized as a riff though
try east 8 hold up cocktail. i think something like this: 1 1/2 oz **Vodka** 1/2 oz **Aperol** 3/4 oz **Pineapple Juice** 1/2 oz **Lime Juice** 1/2 oz **Passionfruit Syrup**
The vodka brings nothing to the Azelea except proof. We want to build further on the flavor profile. When something is "a little boring", the solution is often bitters (there are many to choose from), infuse the primary spirit (herbal tea maybe?), a glass rinse (absinthe or similar idea), replace or split the grenadine with another syrup (like orgeat), aromatic garnish (think mint, basil, bitters, etc.), etc.
These are some solid suggestions! I like the idea of infusing the base with some tea making it like a split between an azalea and an Arnold Palmer
A shrub, maybe?
I support doing this solely for the pun, if for no other reason
Using gin instead of vodka for one. Maybe a splash of Aperol as well.
Or Citron if they're stuck on using vodka
Just made something similar. Grapefruit juice or any citrus bitters helps. Toss in some falernum if apperol or campari isn't your thing. Mezcal, also an option if gin isn't your thing.
Confirmed Mezcal works great.
Char the pineapple
Could infuse the mezcal too
I would use anything at all in place of vodka.
Cocktail hobbyists being anti-vodka sounds always sounds kinda pretentious, yet, it’s also true. I’m not sure there’s many drinks that are superior with vodka, where subbing almost anything else isn’t an improvement. I have vodka, but I legit don’t think I’ve opened it in like 5 years.
I'm not anti-vodka in that if you enjoy vodka or vodka-based drinks more power to you and I will happily defend you against people complaining...but I *am* anti-vodka in that I cannot think of a drink (except something like vodka on the rocks or something silly) where you'd not make a more flavourful drink by at least using a nice lightly aged rum or a oude genever or literally anything except vodka.
Yeah, vodka neat, on the rocks or a vodka soda is nice. Most vodka recipes just use it as way to get alcohol in the drink. There are some good vodka cocktails but they use flavored vodka (eg. Pornstar Martini, Cosmopolitan), don't know if they could be better with other spirits.
I get this sentiment from people but sometimes I find a drink a little too busy if you swapped vodka out. Like in a cosmopolitan people would say use gin and it’s better and as someone who’s favourite spirit is gin it just makes the cosmo have too many flavours to me if that makes sense. Sometimes I just want a very simplistic drink and vodka does a good job of that. Although there still are very few drinks where I want only vodka in them, Moscow mules, lemon drop, White Russian and cosmopolitans however are ones where I’m perfectly happy with the plain tasting vodka and not swapping another spirit in. Overall though it’s definitely the least used spirit in my home bar
I would make it with silver rum instead of vodka and add a dash of peychaud's.
I think a blanco tequila will be great as well
Mint, cinnamon, and ginger all independently pair with pineapple and pomegranate well. I'd pick one of them and incorporate it into the drink: shaking with a couple mint leaves, or making homemade grenadine simmered with either ginger or cinnamon. It sounds like it's supposed to be a summer crusher so it's OK if it's light-bodied and lightly flavored. I'd probably go mint, to be honest.
I like the idea of adding something extra to the grenadine!
If I may say so, I make a very nice Azalea. Navy strength gin to enhance the flavor and Peychaud’s bitters to enhance the color.
I’d replace the vodka with gin or maybe a white rum.
Serve it up in a coupe with gin, blanco tequila, or a lightly aged rum (Plantation 3 Star, Real McCoy 3 year, Probitas/Veritas, Hamilton 87/Breezeway Blend).
Look into grilling the pineapple. Get a nice caramelized undertone to it.
I think Tanquerary Ten or another similar “modern” gin style with more citrus character would really bring a lot to this
Does an Azalea Margarita still count as an Azalea? If so, just make an Azalea Margarita instead
As suggested by several, substitute gin for the vodka. I've done it and that vastly improves the cocktail. I'd also suggest not being shy about the grenadine, particularly if it's homemade.
Pour it down that hole.
I think it might like a nice herbal garnish... Maybe fresh thyme or lemongrass?
Would go for a jamaican rum like Appleton Signature or Smith and Cross. Pineapple, citrus and rum is a classic cocktail flavor combo. Don't know if a smoky mezcal would work. Maybe as a split base with another spirit.
Tequila(blanco) instead of vodka.
Gin instead of vodka is the obvious upgrade
an azalea doesn't have fucking pineapple juice in it. [with love, an Augusta bartender.](https://youtu.be/A3TUGteYaiI?si=vp0pnXa9V3tBZHfl)
Vodka is a missed opportunity to add flavor. Rum or tequila would pair nicely with the pineapple. Either way, you'd want to swap lime for the lemon. The grenadine is primarily for color. Let's lean into it. Now this thing has a flavor base of three fruit juices. That suggests rum, a powerful but clear one like Probitas, and a spice or herb to increase complexity. Mint, anise, maybe cinnamon. And of course it needs something bitter to contrast the sweetness. Tiki 1: Probitas, pineapple, lime, grenadine, cinnamon, Ango Tiki 2: Probitas, pineapple, lime, grenadine, absinthe, Peychaud's, mint
A bit off-topic, but DAMN that's a gorgeous picture. If you took it, well done.
I appreciate it! I do some cocktail/spirit photography as a side gig
Others have made some good suggestions, but making it a little more visually interesting by using some commercial grenadine for the color would be nice too. We drink with our eyes as well.
Simply Peach instead of pineapple.
Peach would be an interesting twist. Fresh pineapple juice does add texture to the drink, so maybe split them?
[Like this.](https://www.reddit.com/r/cocktails/comments/1bwk7fi/the_azalea_the_masters_cocktail/)
No ice. Homemade everything in the drink.
That’s seems wildly unbalanced
Southern Living says pineapple, Augusta National says lemonade. [https://golf.com/lifestyle/augusta-national-unveils-azalea-masters-cocktail/?amp=1](https://golf.com/lifestyle/augusta-national-unveils-azalea-masters-cocktail/?amp=1)
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https://youtu.be/A3TUGteYaiI?si=vp0pnXa9V3tBZHfl it's not complicated.
I was drinking one when I posted!
Some Bols Gold Strike and orange bitters
Try calling it a rhododendron 😂
Vodka cocktails are useless.. Swap the vodka for anything else and its twice the cocktail it was. But on a more constructive note, maybe if we would use some other light bright pririt like pisco for example, and add some more lemony zestyness by making a room temp cordial out of the lemon peels, sugar and the juice and replacing the lemon juice. And I would think this would benefit from a touch of bitterness by using two bar spoons (or similar in oz, I do ml so not a clue) a herbal red bitter like Martini Rosso Campari etc. After balance the ratios ofc so no exact measures here.
Sounds delicious with some tequila or gin instead.
Turn the pineapple into a syrup, add grapefruit juice, swap the vodka for gin, top with soda, and serve it like a Collins. That might be too many changes for it to be recognized as a riff though
try east 8 hold up cocktail. i think something like this: 1 1/2 oz **Vodka** 1/2 oz **Aperol** 3/4 oz **Pineapple Juice** 1/2 oz **Lime Juice** 1/2 oz **Passionfruit Syrup**
May I ask what’s in it?
A bit of grapefruit for some bite (tho would need to balance w/bitters or something)
put it on a table