The recipe
for your table
Fill a highball 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 an even color.
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 will find versions with vodka, gin, berry liqueur and blackberry syrup. What they share is the premise: color first, taste second. That sounds like criticism, but it is not; this cocktail is meant for the table where everyone reaches for their phone as soon as it is set down, and there is nothing wrong with that.
The right glass
You have to see this cocktail, so the glass is no afterthought here. Choose a tall, narrow and completely clear highball glass of 33 to 47 cl: the 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 disrupts the gradient. A thin glass with a thick base gives you the best of both worlds: clear on display, sturdy on the table.
Onis Icon Highball Glass 47 cl (6 pieces)
Arcoroc Islande Highball Glass 33 cl (6 pieces)
Twelve highball glasses — together € 51,90.
The right tools
For a Purple Rain, besides the glass, you use a bar spoon for stirring, a jigger for precise measuring, and glass straws. These are the bar tools we use ourselves; you can find everything in our bar tools & cocktail sets.
Glass set (our choice 01) + 3 bar tools — together € 77,80.
Variations & twists
Replace the grenadine with cranberry juice for a less sweet, more grown-up version — or use blackberry or elderberry liqueur and you get purple without artificial tricks. Using prosecco instead of lemonade turns it into a festive spritz. Leave out the vodka and you have a mocktail children will love. Fancy the same trick, but in blue? Take a look at the Blue Lagoon. More inspiration in all cocktail recipes.
Serving tip
The color depends entirely on the measurements: too much grenadine and you get red, too little and it stays blue. Start with 1.5 cl and add another half centiliter if needed. Use clear white lemonade, not cloudy lemonade — the latter 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 for the blue, grenadine for the red. The ratio determines the shade — more grenadine gives reddish purple, less gives bluish purple.
Can it be made without blue curaçao?
Yes: blackberry liqueur, elderberry syrup or blackcurrant cordial provide 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 fully intact — this is one of the easiest cocktails to serve alcohol-free.
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