The recipe
for your table
Fill a longdrink glass to the rim with ice cubes.
Pour the vodka and blue curaçao over the ice and top up with chilled lemon soda.
Slowly pour the grenadine down the side; it sinks to the bottom and colors the lower part purple.
Garnish with a lime wheel. Stir only if you want the color to become uniform.
The story
Prince released Purple Rain in 1984, and within a few years a cocktail of the same name had appeared on menus across half the world. Unlike the classics, no bar claims to have invented it, and there is no recipe considered the original—you’ll find versions with vodka, gin, berry liqueur, and blackberry syrup. What they share is the starting point: color first, flavor second. That may sound like criticism, but it isn’t; this cocktail is meant for the table where everyone reaches for their phone as soon as it is set down, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
The right glass
You have to see this cocktail, so the glass is no afterthought. Choose a tall, slim, completely clear longdrink glass holding 33 to 47 cl: its narrow shape makes the transition from deep purple to light blue sharper than a wide glass that spreads out the colors. Tinted glass is out of the question, and faceted glass breaks up the gradient. A thin glass with a thick base offers the best of both worlds: clear to look at, sturdy on the table.
Onis Icon Longdrink Glass 47 cl (6 pieces)
Arcoroc Islande Longdrink Glass 33 cl (6 pieces)
Twelve highball glasses — €49.90 total, free shipping on orders over €50.
Variations & twists
Replace the grenadine with cranberry juice for a less sweet, more grown-up version — or use blackberry or elderberry liqueur for purple without artificial coloring. Replace the lemonade with prosecco to turn it into a festive spritz. Leave out the vodka and you have a mocktail that children love. Want the same trick, but in blue? See the Blue Lagoon. Find more inspiration in all cocktail recipes.
Serving tip
The color depends entirely on the proportions: too much grenadine and you’ll get red, too little and it will remain blue. Start with 1.5 cl and add another half centiliter if needed. Use clear white lemonade, not cloudy lemonade — it makes the purple look dull. And pour the grenadine very slowly: the more gently you pour, the sharper the separation between the layers remains.
Frequently asked questions
Which glass do you use for a Purple Rain?
A tall, clear highball glass holding 33 to 47 cl. View our highball glasses.
How do you make it truly purple?
Blue plus red makes purple: blue curaçao provides the blue, and grenadine the red. The ratio determines the shade — more grenadine creates reddish purple, while less creates bluish purple.
Can it be made without blue curaçao?
Yes: blackberry liqueur, elderflower syrup, or blackcurrant syrup creates a natural purple color without food coloring. The flavor will be fuller and less citrusy.
Can you make a Purple Rain alcohol-free?
Yes: leave out the vodka and use blue syrup instead of blue curaçao. The color and effect remain completely intact — this is one of the easiest cocktails to serve alcohol-free.
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