This Bootlegger Drink is a refreshing Minnesota cocktail made with fresh lemon, lime, mint syrup, vodka, and bubbly club soda. It is sweet, tart, minty, and perfect for summer sipping.
Also known as a Bootleg cocktail or Minnesota Bootlegger drink, this easy cocktail starts with a homemade lemon-lime mint syrup that you can make ahead and keep in the refrigerator. Mix it with vodka, gin, or bourbon, then top it with club soda for a crisp, sparkling finish.
This drink is naturally vegetarian and gluten-free when made with plain distilled vodka and gluten-free mixers. Pure distilled vodka is generally considered gluten-free, but flavored spirits or added ingredients should still be checked if gluten is a concern.
What Is a Bootlegger Drink?
A Bootlegger Drink is a refreshing Minnesota cocktail made with lemon, lime, fresh mint, vodka, and club soda. It is also called a Bootleg cocktail or Minnesota Bootlegger cocktail.
The flavor is sweet, tart, minty, and bubbly, making it perfect for summer sipping, holidays, parties, and warm-weather entertaining. This version starts with a homemade lemon-lime mint syrup that can be made ahead of time and mixed with vodka and club soda when you are ready to serve.
This Bootlegger cocktail is naturally vegetarian and gluten-free friendly when made with plain distilled vodka and gluten-free mixers.
❤Why You’ll Love This Bootlegger Drink
This Bootlegger Drink is bright, bubbly, and refreshing with the perfect balance of lemon, lime, mint, and vodka. It is easy to make, easy to serve, and great for warm-weather gatherings.
The homemade mint syrup gives this cocktail its classic fresh flavor. Once the syrup is made, you can quickly mix individual drinks with vodka and club soda.
You will love this Bootlegger cocktail because it is:
- Refreshing and minty
- Made with fresh lemon and lime
- Easy to prepare ahead of time
- Perfect for summer parties and holidays
- Simple to make as a cocktail or mocktail
- Naturally vegetarian and gluten-free friendly
🛒Ingredients for a Bootlegger Drink
Water and sugar create the simple syrup base. This gives the drink its lightly sweet flavor and helps balance the fresh citrus.
Lemon juice and lime juice give this Bootlegger cocktail its bright, tart flavor. Fresh citrus works best here.
Fresh mint is what makes this drink taste cool and refreshing. Blend it into the syrup so the mint flavor spreads through the drink.
Vodka is the classic choice for this cocktail because it lets the lemon, lime, and mint shine. You can also use gin or bourbon.
Club soda adds bubbles and keeps the drink light and refreshing.
Best Alcohol for a Bootlegger Drink
Vodka is a great choice for a Bootlegger Drink because it has a clean, smooth flavor that pairs well with lemon, lime, and mint.
You can also make a Bootlegger cocktail with gin for a more herbal flavor or bourbon for a deeper, slightly sweeter drink. Vodka is the easiest option if you want the citrus and mint flavors to stand out.
For a gluten-free Bootlegger Drink, use plain distilled vodka and check any flavored spirits or mixers to make sure they are gluten-free.
Can I Make This as a Pitcher Cocktail?
Yes! The mint syrup can be made ahead and used to mix several Bootlegger cocktails. For the best flavor and bubbles, keep the club soda separate until serving.
To serve a crowd, add the mint syrup and vodka to a pitcher, then pour over ice in glasses and top each with club soda right before serving. This keeps the drinks fizzy and fresh.
Bootlegger Mocktail Variation
To make a Bootlegger mocktail, skip the vodka and use extra club soda or sparkling water.
Add the lemon-lime mint syrup to a glass filled with ice, then top with club soda. Garnish with fresh mint, lemon slices, or lime wedges for a refreshing nonalcoholic drink.
This is a great option for guests who want a fun summer drink without alcohol.
How to Store Bootlegger Mix
The lemon-lime mint syrup can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Keep the syrup chilled until you are ready to make the cocktails. Do not add the club soda until serving, or the drink will lose its bubbles.
For the freshest flavor, use the Bootlegger mix within 4 days.
Tips and Tricks for this Bootlegger Drink
- I like my bootlegger cocktails on the sweeter side! If you prefer a more sour drink, add one extra lemon and one extra lime, or reduce the amount of sugar from ½ cup to ⅓ or ¼ cup, depending on your taste preferences.
- Once you get the hang of making simple syrup, try peach or raspberry simple syrup for other tasty cocktails!
- The vodka can be substituted for gin or bourbon (try a Gin Mojito!) or left out entirely for a nonalcoholic variation.
- Serve with a straw! It's the perfect way to stir this Bootlegger Drink and drink it!
- If you have a high-speed blender, you can use it to finely blend the mint. It will make the texture much smoother!
More Easy Drink Recipes
Be sure to check out all of our simple cocktail recipes!
- Mermaid Water Drink
- Vodka Sidecar
- Blue Motorcycle Drink
- Ron Ron Juice
- Sex on the Beach
- Cosmo Cocktail
If you want something delicious, perfect for summer, and in shot form, check out these Strawberry Lemonade Jello Shots.
Bootlegger Drink FAQs
What is a Bootlegger Drink made of?
A Bootlegger Drink is made with lemon, lime, fresh mint, sugar syrup, vodka, and club soda. It is sweet, tart, minty, bubbly, and refreshing.
Is a Bootlegger Drink a Minnesota cocktail?
Yes, the Bootlegger Drink is commonly known as a Minnesota cocktail or Minnesota summer drink.
What alcohol is best in a Bootlegger cocktail?
Vodka is the most common choice because it has a clean flavor that lets the lemon, lime, and mint stand out. You can also use gin or bourbon.
Can I make a Bootlegger Drink without alcohol?
Yes. To make a Bootlegger mocktail, leave out the vodka and top the mint syrup with club soda or sparkling water.
Can I make Bootlegger mix ahead of time?
Yes. The lemon-lime mint syrup can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator until you are ready to mix the drinks.
How long does Bootlegger mix last?
The Bootlegger mix can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Can I make this Bootlegger Drink gluten-free?
Yes. This drink is gluten-free when made with plain distilled vodka and gluten-free mixers. Always check for gluten in flavored spirits or added ingredients if gluten is a concern.
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Bootlegger Drink
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Mint Syrup
- 1 ½ cups water divided
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 medium-sized lemons juiced (about ¼ cup)
- 2 large limes juiced (about ¼ cup)
- 4 Mint leaves
For 8 Cocktails
- 16 ounces mint syrup
- 16 ounces vodka Kettle One is suggested
- Club soda enough to fill the glass
- 8 fresh mint leaves garnish
Instructions
For the Mint Syrup - 8 servings
- Make a simple syrup: Combine ½ cup of water and ½ cup of granulated sugar in a small saucepan set over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil and cook until the sugar has fully dissolved— about 5 minutes. Remove the simple syrup from the heat and allow it to cool for 5-10 minutes.
- Juice lemons and limes.
- Transfer the simple syrup, lemon juice, lime juice, and mint leaves to a blender, along with the remaining 1 cup of water. Blend until the syrup is well combined and the mint is finely chopped— about 30 seconds on high speed.
- Transfer the mixture to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- One batch of syrup will make about 8 cocktails. You can store the syrup in the fridge for up to four days.
For the Cocktail - one serving
- Pour 2 oz of the mint syrup into a cocktail shaker or highball glass.
- Pour 2 oz of the vodka into a cocktail shaker or highball glass. Stir to combine. ( If using a cocktail shaker, transfer the mixture into a highball glass.)
- Fill the cup with ice and top with club soda.
- Garnish with a wheel of lemon and sprig of fresh mint, if desired. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
- One batch of mint syrup makes enough for about 8 Bootlegger cocktails. Each cocktail uses 2 ounces of mint syrup, 2 ounces of vodka, and enough club soda to fill the glass.
- For the best flavor, keep the club soda separate until serving so the drinks stay bubbly.
- To make this drink without alcohol, skip the vodka and top the mint syrup with club soda or sparkling water.
- I like my bootlegger cocktails on the sweeter side! If you prefer a more sour drink, you can add one extra lemon and one extra lime, or reduce the amount of sugar from ½ cup to ⅓ or ¼ cup— depending on your taste preferences.
Nutrition
