Hop, Skip, Go Naked is a wonderful concoction of beer, lemonade, and vodka that is guaranteed to make you feel like skipping, hopping, and going naked! These hit pretty hard, so go easy.
A friend from New York introduced me to these frozen delights years ago, and they’ve been part of my summer rotation ever since. The combination of citrusy sweetness from lemonade, the bubbly bite of beer, and the backbone of vodka makes for a deceptively smooth drink that can sneak up on you fast—hence the cheeky name: Hop Skip Go Naked.
At its core, this is a 1:1:1 ratio cocktail—frozen lemonade, beer, and vodka—blended into a bright, icy slush. Because the frozen lemonade concentrate is already sweet and tart, it does the heavy lifting in terms of flavor. The beer and vodka dilute it to drinkability, but you’ll want to make sure the vodka is ice cold or even frozen before adding it to your blender. Using frozen vodka keeps your drink strong without watering it down—because no one wants a soggy slush.
You can use any brand of frozen lemonade, but I think pink lemonade adds a bit more flair—both in color and in attitude. If you want to get fancy, try rose lemonade with a little splash of rose syrup. It gives the drink a more floral, elegant note that pairs beautifully with the sharpness of vodka.
Beer-wise, this recipe is incredibly forgiving. Use the one you like best. A lighter beer like a pilsner or lager keeps things crisp and refreshing. A wheat beer will make it slightly yeasty and full-bodied. Avoid anything too hoppy or bitter—this isn’t the place for an IPA.
The same rule applies to vodka: pick your favorite. I use a good mid-shelf brand with a clean finish. The better your vodka, the smoother the blend.
Blenders for Hop Skip Go Naked
Not every blender will hold a full batch, especially once the ingredients foam up. You might need to make it in two parts. Start with half the lemonade concentrate, 6 oz of beer, and 6 oz of vodka. Blend until smooth, pour into a pitcher, and repeat with the rest. If you’re serving a crowd, this pitcher method is perfect.
Serve in frosty glasses, garnish with a lemon wheel or sprig of mint, and warn your guests—this innocent-looking slush packs a punch. It’s perfect for barbecues, backyard hangs, or summer brunches when you want something playful and strong.
Hop Skip Go Naked Recipe
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Hop, Skip and Go Naked
Tips from the Chef
Equipment
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Ingredients
- 12 oz Frozen pink lemonade (can), (hop)
- 12 oz beer, (skip)
- 12 oz vodka, (go naked)
Instructions
- 12 oz Frozen pink lemonade (can), 12 oz beer, 12 oz vodkaMix all in a blender.
- Fill tall glasses with ice. Pour 6 ounces into each glass.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
I have been thinking about Marissa a lot lately, and the other day I shared a recipe for a drink that an old acquaintance of ours, Kenny Greene, had made for us. the Hop Skip Go Naked. Kenny was from New York, so this must be a New York thing, as Marissa and I had never heard of it. Either way, although it sounds terrible, it’s quite tasty. The kind of thing that surprises you, makes you laugh a little, and reminds you of summer nights when we didn’t know yet how short life would be.
Marissa and I spent a lot of time in the kitchen together—laughing, cooking, telling stories. She had a way of stirring a pot that felt like prayer. Everything she made was full of love and just a touch of sass. That drink Kenny made became one of those silly little recipes that somehow locked itself into my memory—not because of the ingredients, but because of the company.
Tonight a red car came down the driveway to the parking lot in the back of our building. For a split second I thought it was Marissa, but it could not have been her, after all she died on April 16, 2007. I miss her a great deal! Spane still calls her Nana. He misses her, too.
Grief is strange—it sneaks up on you in the middle of a recipe, in the shape of a red car, or in the sound of a laugh you haven’t heard in years. But remembering her in these moments—through food, through storytelling—is how I keep her close. I suppose we all have our ways of keeping the people we’ve loved present in our lives. This drink, odd as it is, brought her back to me for a moment. And for that, I’m grateful.
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