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    Home » Recipes » Drinks

    Love Bug Cocktail

    Published: Jul 4, 2025 by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

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    This Love Bug cocktail is the perfect mixed drink for any party. From holidays like Valentine's Day or Christmas to summer parties, the cranberry, pineapple, and grenadine flavors combined with a kick of vodka make this cocktail perfect for any occasion.

    Cocktail on a table with shaker in the background.

    Cocktails always make any party better, and for our money, nothing is better than fruity drinks. That's especially true during the summer, when drinks like our mango mai tai or moscato sangria can cool you down while livening up the party.

    We also love that fruity cocktails tend to be suitable year-round. That's the case with this Love Bug Cocktail. While the name may make you think of Valentine's Day, like our tequila berry cocktail or watermelon vodka cocktail that can be served year-round for almost any occasion.

    Jump to:
    • Why You Will Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Variations
    • HOW TO MAKE A LOVE BUG COCKTAIL
    • Recipe Tips
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Recipe FAQs
    • More Cocktail Recipes
    • Love bug cocktail

    Why You Will Love This Recipe

    • Simple Ingredients: You'll only need four simple ingredients to make this cocktail.
    • So Easy: All you have to do is give this cocktail a good shake, and it's ready to go!
    • Refreshing: The fruity flavors make this a refreshing cocktail that really hits the spot.
    • Versatile: The pretty color and fruity flavors make this the perfect year-round cocktail for any occasion.

    Ingredients

    It only takes a super-short trip to the store and hitting two aisles to get everything you need for this recipe.

    Ingredients to make love bug cocktail on the table with labels to identify each one.
    • Vodka: Always a neutral addition to drinks but feel free to add your favorite flavored vodka for another layer of flavor, if desired. Simply omit vodka for a mocktail.
    • Cranberry Juice: Is wonderfully sour. However, pomegranate juice, raspberry juice or puree, strawberry juice or cherry juice will work in a pinch.
    • Pineapple Juice: Has a sweet and tangy tropical flavor. Orange juice, mango juice, passion fruit juice, guava or lemonade will also taste great.
    • Grenadine: Adds a sweet, tart, fruity pomegranate flavor. Raspberry or strawberry syrup will also work if needed.

    See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.

    Variations

    • Vodka: Use white rum for a more tropical flavor. Gin and tequila add bolder flavor.
    • Slushy: For the perfect summer cocktail experience, blend the cocktail ingredients with ice and make a slushy.
    • Sparkling Love Bug: Use a tall glass and add prosecco, sparkling rosé, club soda, lemon lime soda or your favorite fruit flavored soda for some bubbles.
    • Creamy Love Bug: Add a splash of coconut cream or Smirnoff whipped cream vodka for a dessert-style cocktail.

    HOW TO MAKE A LOVE BUG COCKTAIL

    A little ice, a little shaking, and a little sipping is all there is to this one!

    Grenadine being poured into shaker halfway filled with ice, vodka, cranberry juice and pineapple juice.

    Step 1 Fill Shaker: Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice and add vodka. Then add cranberry juice, pineapple juice, and grenadine.

    Shaken cocktail being poured into glass for serving.

    Step 2 Shake and Pour: Shake until chilled, then strain into a lowball glass filled with ice. Optionally, top with Club soda and garnish with a strawberry.

    If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy the best boozy caramel apple milkshake, purple rain cocktail, bomb pop cocktail or this white linen cocktail!

    Recipe Tips

    • Chill: If possible, refrigerate your ingredients before needed to ensure really cold when serving.
    • Adding Bubbles: If adding sparking wine, club soda or anything with bubbles do so right before serving for best results.
    Two drinks and cocktail shaker on table.

    Serving Suggestions

    • Serve these cocktails alongside crispy parmesan zucchini bites with ranch, big mac quesadilla or rotisserie chicken tacos.
    • The sweet, fruity flavor of this cocktail pairs well with the savory flavors of this easy garlic shrimp pasta.

    Recipe FAQs

    What is a Love Bug cocktail?

    A Love Bug cocktail is a fruity, red cocktail made with vodka, cranberry juice, pineapple juice, and grenadine.

    What glass should I serve a Love Bug cocktail in?

    A low ball or old fashioned glass, martini glass, or even a tall glass or mason jar works great. Presentation is half the fun with this cocktail!

    Why is it called a Love Bug cocktail?

    The Love Bug was invented by Sam Penton, who named the cocktail after the nickname he had for his partner at the time.

    A drink on table.

    More Cocktail Recipes

    Do you like serving cocktails for your guests? Then, try these other delicious options.

    • A glass of orange gin cocktail on the table with a bottle of gin in the background.
      Orange Gin and Tonic Cocktail
    • Royal Flush Shot in a glass with cranberries and ice.
      Royal Flush Shot Drink
    • Pineapple margarita garnished with a slice of pineapple and lime.
      Best Pineapple Margarita Recipe
    • Watermelon Vodka Cocktail garnished with a lime slice and watermelon cubes.
      Watermelon Vodka Cocktail

    If you try this recipe and love it please leave a star rating in the recipe card below or even better, drop a review in the comment section, I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube for more easy recipes!

    If you try this recipe and love it please leave a star rating in the recipe card below or even better, drop a review in the comment section, I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube for more easy recipes!

    Love bug cocktail in a gllass.

    Love bug cocktail

    Karin and Ken
    This Love Bug cocktail is a sweet, tart, and fruity drink with the flavors of cranberry, pineapple, and pomegranate.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 2 minutes mins
    Shake Time 2 minutes mins
    Total Time 4 minutes mins
    Course Cocktail
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 Serving
    Calories 188 kcal

    Equipment

    • Cocktail shaker
    • low ball glass or old fashioned glass

    Ingredients
      

    • 2- ounce vodka
    • 2- ounce cranberry juice
    • 1- ounce pineapple juice
    • ½-1 teaspoon grenadine

    Optional Garnish

    • 1 slice strawberry
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions
     

    • Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice and add vodka, cranberry juice, pineapple juice and grenadine.
    • Shake until blended, chilled and strain into a lowball glass full of ice.
    • Optionally, top with Club soda and garnish with a strawberry.

    Notes

    • Chill: If possible, refrigerate your ingredients before needed to ensure really cold when serving.
    • Adding Bubbles: If adding sparking wine, club soda or anything with bubbles do it right before serving for best results.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 188kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 0.3gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.01gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 4mgPotassium: 83mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 27IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 9mgIron: 0.2mg
    Keyword love bug cocktail
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Welcome!

    We are the kitchen divas: Karin and my partner in life, Ken.

    We have been attached at the heart and hip since the first day we met, and we love to create new dishes to keep things interesting. Variety is definitely the spice of life!

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