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Swing n' Sip: The Transfusion, Golf's Favored Cocktail

drinks

By Samuel B.

- Sep 20, 2025

Steeped in popular lore, the Transfusion, renowned for being a revitalizing beverage most commonly affiliated with the game of golf, is an enticing pairing of vodka, grape juice, freshly squeezed lime juice, and aromatic ginger ale.

The roots of this highball cocktail are somewhat clouded, with its inception being inextricably tied to golf since its introduction to the green around the mid-twentieth century. One widely circulated tale suggests that former President Dwight D. Eisenhower concocted the beverage during a round of 18 holes, although historians have since debunked this claim.

Regardless of the vague genesis of the cocktail, its moniker has no ambiguity among its fans, the delightful Transfusion. This invigorating mixture is widely deemed a refresher for golfers, serving as a soothing remedy on a sweltering summer day on the green.

Bursting with effervescence and tangy flavors, the Transfusion may seem simple, but its ability to captivate a crowd indicates otherwise. Grape juice and lime add a tart edge and peculiar texture to the cocktail, harmonized by the piquant sweetness of ginger ale. Vodka, the primary component, maintains a balanced stance, allowing the other ingredients to dominate the palate with its mild profile, resulting in a buoyant and thirst-quenching beverage.

Favoring portability for the roving golfer, this crushable libation is frequently served in an unadorned plastic cup. But when prepared at home, the Transfusion can be classed up with a Collins or highball glass and adorned with a lime wheel or frosty grapes.

Ingredients needed are:

  • 2 ounces vodka
  • 1 ounce Concord grape juice
  • 1/4 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 1-2 ounces ginger ale
  • Lime wedge and frozen grapes for garnish (optional)

To create this cocktail, fill a highball glass with ice, add vodka, grape juice, and lime juice. Finish off by topping with ginger ale and garnishing with a lime wheel or frozen grapes, if you wish.