Bright, colorful, and just the right mix of sweet and tangy, the Pixie Stick cocktail is like a grown-up version of your favorite childhood candy. It’s playful, refreshing, and a real crowd-pleaser—especially for themed parties or summer nights on the patio. I’ve made this drink countless times, and here’s a little secret: chilling your glass ahead of time makes all the difference in keeping it crisp and cool.
Pixie Stick
What You’ll Need
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Serves: 1
Glassware: Highball or Collins glass
Ingredients
– 1.5 oz (45 ml) vodka
– 1 oz (30 ml) sweet and sour mix
– 0.5 oz (15 ml) blue curaçao
– 0.25 oz (7.5 ml) grenadine
– Sprite or lemon-lime soda, to top
– Ice, enough to fill shaker and glass
– Optional garnish: candy stick, maraschino cherry, or lime wedge
Method
- Fill a cocktail shaker about halfway with ice.
- Pour in the vodka, sweet and sour mix, and blue curaçao.
- Shake well—about 15 seconds—until the outside of the shaker feels cold. That means it’s chilled and ready.
- Fill your highball or Collins glass with fresh ice.
- Strain the blue mixture into the glass.
- Slowly pour in the grenadine. It’ll sink and create a pretty pink-red layer at the bottom. Try not to stir too much if you want to keep the layers.
- Top up with Sprite or your favorite lemon-lime soda. Give it a gentle stir if you prefer a more blended taste.
- Garnish with a candy stick, cherry, or lime wedge for a fun finishing touch.
Tips & Tricks
– Chill your glass in the freezer for 5–10 minutes before making the drink. It helps keep everything extra cold.
– If you don’t have sweet and sour mix, mix together 2 parts lemon juice, 2 parts lime juice, and 1 part simple syrup as a quick substitute.
– For a slightly less sweet version, use soda water instead of Sprite.
– Don’t skip the shake—it’s what helps blend the sweet and sour with the vodka and gives you that refreshing chill.
Make-Ahead Notes
You can mix the vodka, sweet and sour, and blue curaçao ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for a few hours. Just wait to add the grenadine and soda until you’re ready to serve—this keeps the fizz and the layered color effect.
Storage
Best enjoyed fresh, but if you need to store the premixed base (vodka, blue curaçao, sweet and sour), it’ll keep in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Don’t add the Sprite or grenadine until serving.
Serving Suggestions
This has been my go-to cocktail for summer nights when I want something fun and nostalgic. It pairs great with party snacks or a backyard BBQ. Here are a few pairing ideas:
Fruit Salad
Fresh, juicy fruits like pineapple, strawberries, and watermelon play well with the cocktail’s sweet-tart flavor.
Spicy Tacos
The sugar and citrus in the drink help tame the heat from spicy fillings like chipotle chicken or jalapeño salsa.
Creamy Cheese Platter
Go for creamy brie, goat cheese, or even a sharp cheddar to balance the cocktail’s brightness.
Variations to Try
Pixie Stick Margarita
– Swap vodka for tequila
– Add triple sec
– Rim the glass with salt
– Shake and serve over ice
Pixie Stick Martini
– Skip the Sprite
– Serve the shaken mix in a chilled martini glass
– Garnish with a cherry or twist of lemon
Pixie Stick Punch (Great for Parties!)
– Mix vodka, blue curaçao, pineapple juice, grenadine, and Sprite
– Serve in a large bowl with ice and floating fruit slices
Non-Alcoholic Version
– Use blue raspberry syrup instead of blue curaçao
– Skip the vodka
– Keep the sweet and sour mix, grenadine, and Sprite
– Serve over ice with a candy garnish
Common Questions
Why is it so colorful?
The blue curaçao and grenadine naturally create that beautiful layered look. Pouring slowly helps keep them separated.
Can I make it less sweet?
Yes! Use soda water or diet Sprite. You can also cut the grenadine down to just a splash.
What’s the best vodka to use?
A clean, mid-range vodka works great. You don’t need anything too fancy, but avoid anything harsh or overly flavored.
Can I make this for a group?
Absolutely. Just multiply the base ingredients by the number of servings and mix in a pitcher. Add Sprite and grenadine when pouring each drink to keep the fizz and color.
Try This Next Time
Want to shake things up? Try swapping in raspberry syrup for grenadine or using rum instead of vodka for a tropical twist. You can even add a splash of pineapple juice for extra fruitiness.
The Pixie Stick cocktail is all about fun, color, and just the right amount of nostalgia. Whether you’re serving it at a party or just kicking back after a long day, it’s a drink that brings out the kid in all of us—with a grown-up upgrade.
