Can You Make This Vodka Cranberry Cocktail Ahead Of Time
You could certainly mix the vodka with the cranberry juice ahead of time, but since youll want the drink to remain carbonated, I would wait until serving to top it off with lime juice and soda water.
I actually served this cocktail to a small group recently, and I did just that. I made a large batch of the vodka and cranberry juice ahead of time, then topped each persons drink off with the bubbly water and a splash of lime as I served it!
Vodka & Cranberry Juice
Officially called a Cape Codder, this simple mixture is effortless to make but tastes great, with a tangy, fruity edge to the smoothness of vodka, thats ideal for parties. We’ve used Smirnoff here. but you can level up this simple cocktail by using one of the amazing flavoured vodkas from the CÎROC range
What The Vodka Cranberry Drink Tastes Like
The Vodka Cranberry is sometimes thought of as a beginners drink because its not very strong and you dont really taste the alcohol. But its a delicious drink for anyone.
The great thing about this drink is how refreshing it is without being strong. The lime and cranberry are both tart, which really wakes up your taste buds.
But you also get some sweetness from the dash of orange juice, and that makes it delicious.
Note that some bartenders do make this drink much stronger. The classic recipe only calls for an ounce of vodka, but some put in a good bit more.
When its mixed according to this recipe, the only reason youll know the vodka is in there is that slight burn you feel as it goes down. And it is really slight.
If you want a regular strength drink, you certainly can bump the vodka up to the standard 1 1/2 ounces without changing the flavor noticeably.
If you want your drink on the strong side, bump it up to two ounces of vodka and just reduce the cranberry juice accordingly.
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Where To Find Christmas Glasses
I recommend using a nice Christmas glass you can often find these at thrift stores or antique malls if you don’t have any. I’d imagine any store that sells glasses would be a decent option but I prefer to thrift my glassware as it’s cheaper and the glasses are often vintage meaning they are often of better quality.
Garnish with appropriate seasonal items like these snowflakes. Hint: I found these at my local dollar store.
Cranberry Juice Vs Cranberry Juice Cocktail
Heres an important point: so pay attention! Cranberry juice is different from cranberry juice cocktail. Whats the difference?
- Cranberry juice is unsweetened: it tastes tart and is labeled as 100% juice.
- Cranberry juice cocktail is sweetened, often with added sugars or high-fructose corn syrup.
Heres the thing: most cranberry cocktail recipes that call for cranberry juice really mean cranberry juice cocktail! The sweetened version was all that was available in the 1940s when these cocktails were invented.
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Serving Ideas For A Vodka Cranberry
Take this simple cocktail to the next level with these slight changes.
- Serve it the Cape Cod way with a few whole or muddled fresh cranberries. These honeyed cranberries would be a gorgeous garnish!
- Feel like youre in the Big Apple by turning your drink into a Cosmopolitan. Simply add 1-1/2 ounces of Triple Sec, shake in a cocktail shaker, then strain into a martini glass. Serve with a twist of lime peel.
- Go salty! Make a Salty Dog by swapping in grapefruit juice for the cranberry and serving in a salt-rimmed highball glass.
Now that youve mastered a vodka cranberry, take on these other easy cocktail recipes you can memorize.
Cranberry Vodka With Fresh Cranberries
If you want to make cranberry vodka with fresh cranberries, this is easy enough to to do but you will need more time before it is ready to drink.
Use 150 g sugar and 200 g fresh cranberries instead of the cranberry sauce. Pick them over to remove any fragments of stem or leaf. Either prick them with a fork or freeze and then defrost them. This will cause the skins to split, releasing the juices.
Leave your cranberry vodka to infuse for 6 weeks before straining and bottling.
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How To Make A Vodka Cranberry Cocktail
Grab a highball glass , fill it 2/3 full with ice. Add vodka, cranberry juice, a splash of lime juice and a splash of orange juice . Stir and garnish with a lime wedge. Drink and enjoy!
The splash of lime and orange really make this drink so dont omit that if you want that nice tart, refreshing taste. You will find some bartenders who skip that step , but then your drink will taste like basic cranberry juice since the vodka doesnt really add much flavor.
What is a Vodka Cran Called?
Ive heard people ask their bartenders What is a Vodka Cran Called and Im amazed at how few of them actually know the answer The Cape Cod! Some believe the classic version always has the splash of lime and orange juice, while others insist on just vodka and cranberry juice.
But whatever you call it, this Vodka Cranberry Cocktail is the perfect drink for almost any occasion. Its great for sitting by the pool on a warm summer day or gathering around a crackling campfire or even curled up with a good book on a cool fall or spring evening.
And you can adjust the amount of alcohol to your liking. This recipe calls for 1 1/2 ounces of vodka, but feel free to bump that up if youre looking for a stronger cranberry cocktail.
So whether this is your first attempt at making a cocktail or youre a seasoned expert, you cant go wrong with this Vodka Cranberry Cocktail. Quick, easy, and refreshing!
Here are some other cocktails you might like:
How To Make A Vodka Cranberry
The beloved Vodka Cranberry has only two ingredients:
- Vodka
- Cranberry Juice we recommend using cranberry cocktail rather than 100% cranberry juice, which is very tart with no sweetness.
Simply combine the vodka and cranberry juice. Mix together and pour into a tumbler filled with ice.
Add a splash of grapefruit juice for a Sea Breeze!
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Vodka Cranberry With Lime
A light holiday cocktail made with vodka, cranberry juice, lime and fizzy sparkling water. Toss a few cranberries on top for a festive drink youll want to enjoy all season.
If you were to ask me my go-to cocktail Id most likely say vodka soda without any hesitation. I like the fact that its light and refreshing while also being low in calories and sugar. I usually drink wine , but if Im going to order a cocktail, a vodka soda with lime is my number one.
This year, I thought it would be fun to put a festive spin on my go-to cocktail and came up with this vodka cranberry cocktail. It still has vodka, lime juice and sparkling water, but I added a little cranberry juice and cranberries for extra flavor and a festive pop of color.
It has less than 150 calories and 10 grams of sugar. And did I mention how easy this cocktail is whip up? No muddling necessary! Simply place everything in your shaker with ice, shake, pour into a glass, top with sparkling water and cranberries and enjoy!
Is Cranberry Juice And Vodka Good For You
Vodka is a low calorie alcohol choice and cranberry juice touts serious health perks put them together and you’ve got one tasty drink. Cranberry juice helps fight off cardiovascular diseases, works as an anti-inflammatory in the body, and can even help improve skin. Further reading: cranberry and vodka.
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This Vodka Cranberry Uses Unsweetened Juice
While most traditional versions of a vodka cranberry use sweetened cranberry juice, this recipe uses 100% cranberry juice! Consider it a modern spin on the classic. Why use unsweetened juice here?
- It has less sugar, and you can customize the sweetness. Use 100% juice and the drink has less sugar overall. To balance the flavor, we added sweetness back to the drink by adding maple syrup or simple syrup. You can make it more tart or a little more sweet depending on your taste! Alex and I prefer using maple syrup because it provides a gentler sweetness.
- The color is brighter. The color is bright pink because 100% juice has a deeper color.
The Real Drink Recipe
A proper Vodka Cranberry also uses a touch of Roses sweetened lime and some orange juice to bring out the best of the cranberry flavor.
Because vodka doesnt really change the flavor of the cranberry juice, this cocktail would just taste like straight cranberry juice without some help. The orange and lime add hints of something sharp and bright.
This cocktail recipe is pretty light on the alcohol, so feel free to vary it according to your taste and tolerance. The only alcohol in this drink is vodka, so you can add a little more if you prefer.
You can also leave it out completely when you want a mocktail. That makes it great for parties where some guests might not be drinking.
If youre making it as a virgin cocktail, you might want to add a little more of the orange and lime to make it extra special. It doesnt take much just a few dashes, or maybe half an ounce.
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Is Cranberry And Vodka Good For Health
Vodka is a low calorie alcohol choice and cranberry juice touts serious health perks put them together and you’ve got one tasty drink. Cranberry juice helps fight off cardiovascular diseases, works as an anti-inflammatory in the body, and can even help improve skin. Good to know: orange juice and cranberry.
Recipe Tips And Variations:
- You can add about half an ounce of Triple-Sec to the drink or use a citrus flavored vodka to create another layer of flavor.
- For a sugar-free alternative, try using sugar-free cranberry juice and agave nectar or Stevia in place of the simple syrup.
- If you dont have a shaker cup, no worries, simply start with a glass with ice in it then layer the following ingredients in this order cranberry juice, lime juice, simple syrup, and vodka. Use a spoon and give the cocktail a quick stir. Its not exactly the same, but it works nonetheless.
- This vodka cranberry is lightly sweetened, so add some extra simple syrup to reach the desired sweetness.
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Vodka Cran: Yes I Can
Did you know that the vodka cranberry was originally a clever marketing move from a juice company? In 1945, Ocean Spray created the vodka cranberry recipe for a growers marketing campaign. Because the recipe originated in Cape Cod, MA, it began to be known as the Cape Cod cocktail and later the Vodka Cranberry It has become a strong favorite among cocktail dinkers because its simply ingredient list is easy to find in any bar or supermarket and the cocktail itself is delicious and easy to drink. Traditionally, the vodka cranberry is made with only two simple ingredients but it can also be embellished by orange and/or lime juice. Its typically served in highball glass with ice and a small straw that can be used for either stirring or sipping.
Because of its incredibly simple ingredient list, the vodka cranberry is a wonderful cocktail for beginner mixologists to attempt. Similarly, the small list of ingredients means there is plenty of room to play around with adding additional flavors or other fun twists. If youre trying to create a cocktail that tastes surprisingly impressive despite the low amount of effort required to create it, the vodka cranberry is a perfect choice. This cocktail is also very cost effective, so you dont have to break the bank when whipping up a batch for friends. Take a look at the list below of our favorite vodka cranberry recipes and try one out soon!
Sparkling Vodka Cranberry Cocktail
I simply adore sparkling cocktails. Theyre so fun, and something about them feels so Gossip Girl glam to me. That is why this simple sparkling vodka cranberry cocktail is going to be a must-have for our next holiday gathering.
The best part about this cranberry vodka drink is that its so easy to make. Though you do need to plan a bit, thats true to all fun recipes.
This vodka cocktail only has four ingredients. I say, keep them on hand year-round for that special Monday or celebratory Friday!
Now a note about this recipe: I recommend the use of freshly squeezed lime!
However, its a good idea to keep a bottle of lime juice on hand. If youre fresh out of limes, this can be your go-to alternative. Dont let the lack of fresh limes keep you from a yummy cocktail.
Its the best, but I had a shopping mishap recently. I accidentally bought sweetened lime juice. This is not the end of the world. Yes, it will change the taste of this vodka cranberry drink, but that isnt always bad in this case.
Its good to experiment with flavors. Dont be shy about mixing it up!
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What Do You Call A Vodka Cranberry
This drink is also called commonly called A cape cod or cape coddler. Its very similar to a Sea Breeze, Bay Breeze and Sex on the Beach.
This cocktail is extremely light and refreshing. Its perfect for brunch, sipping in the summer, or get-togethers. Since it does not contain any liquors except for vodka, if you want to make it a little stronger you can certainly add a little more vodka to the mix.
If you love cranberry flavored refreshing cocktails you might also try a cosmopolitan or a cranberry martini.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
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What Makes This Drink Delicious
Vodka Use chilled vodka if possible. Feel free to use your favorite brand. I like Titos, Five Wives, or Absolut for an affordable but delicious spirit.
Cranberry juice Use your favorite cranberry juice.
Lime juice A squeeze of fresh lime juice balances out the sweetness of the juice.
Ice These simple cocktails are best served really cold.
Sparkling Lime Vodka Cranberry
1.5 oz Vodka, 3 oz Cranberry Juice, Lime Sparkling Water, Lime Juice
If youre interested in a bubbly cocktail thats perfect to sip while you sit and chat with friends, look no further than this mouthwatering recipe. The addition of the lime sparkling water really adds a layer of complexity to an already wonderful cocktail. The addition of a sugared cranberry garnish will also add just the right amount of sweetness to counteract the tart cranberry and lime. To create this drink:
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice then add vodka, cranberry juice, and splash of lime juice
- Shake vigorously until chilled, then pour into cocktail glass with ice
- Top with a dash of sparkling water
- Garnish with fresh or sugared cranberries, then serve
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Best Ways To Gift Homemade Vodka:
One of the best parts of this fun drink concoction is how easy it is to gift to friends and neighbors! These little glass bottles with a funnel are my favorite!
They are easy to wrap a thin ribbon or twine around. In this case I used wired greenery garland and a small ornament. Be sure to print out the ultimate cocktail recipe list above to gift along side the bottles!
Be sure to see my entire front porch Christmas decor for 2021 to see how I greeted my guests with the drink and mini bottles!
To Make This Recipe For A Large Group:
This is the perfect cocktail to make for a crowd. In a large pitcher, combine 3 parts cranberry juice, 1 part vodka, and 1/4 part lime juice . For example, 3 cups cranberry juice, 1 cup vodka, and 1/4 cup lime juice. Cover the pitcher and chill until ready to use, then pour into individual glasses with ice and garnish with a lime wedge.
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If You Like This Drink
Before we get to the recipe: there are a few other drinks you should check out.
If you like this drink, you should also check out the Desert Shield, which blends vodka and cranberry with cranberry liqueur. If you want pure cranberry flavor, thats the drink for you.
Theres also the Crystal Cranberry, which features amaretto, Crown Royal, gin, cranberry juice and more. It does make a change from this drink, but the taste of it is wonderful.
Theres also the C& T Cocktail, which blends cranberry and gin with Absolut Mandarin and more. That one is so good.
And you may also want to try the Long Beach Iced Tea, which is very strong and very tasty. It features cranberry juice, triple sec and lots of white liquors.