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The Pink Panther is about as simple as a mixed drink gets: vodka and a glass of strawberry kiwi Crystal Light, poured over ice. It is the kind of recipe that turns up next to a backyard cooler rather than on a cocktail menu, and there is nothing wrong with that.
The original ingredient list asked for a generic lemonade mix, but the directions name strawberry kiwi Crystal Light, and that is the version that actually turns the drink pink, so that is the one we have gone with. Two shots of vodka against six ounces of mix is a generous pour for a highball, so it drinks stronger than the candy color suggests.
Glass: Highball glass | Strength: Strong | Serves: 1 | Prep Time: 2 minutes
Bartenders tip: Mix the Crystal Light at full strength, or even a touch stronger than the packet says, since the ice and the vodka both flatten the fruit. Fill the glass with ice before you pour, not after. If you are making a round for a group, stir up a pitcher of the mix ahead of time and keep it in the fridge, then add the vodka glass by glass so everyone gets a proper measure.
