The Cape Cod Cocktail, or Cape Codder, gets a holiday makeover in this light and refreshing recipe!
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When it comes to easy drinks, you can’t beat Vodka Cocktails! Whether it’s a Moscow Mule or a classic Vodka Martini, these drinks are deliciously quick to make..and easy to drink.
The Cape Cod cocktail is no different. I mean, what could be easier than combining vodka and cranberry juice, right? It’s sweet, tart and refreshing – but to my way of thinking, it could be better. So, after a few basic tweaks, this drink now has tons more flavor!
Ingredients
- Vodka – I like Snow Leopard for this drink but any good quality vodka will do nicely.
- Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice – this one is still the best.
- Limes – Traditionally not part of the cocktail, but fresh lime juice adds freshness and plays really well with the cranberry juice. Bottled will do in a pinch, but fresh lime juice makes ALL the difference.
- Leftover cranberry sauce – Optional. This was a game-changer in my opinion – the sauce deepens the flavor and adds a silkier mouthfeel.
- Simple syrup -Optional – this cocktail is fairly dry. Depending upon how sweet your sauce is (and how sweet you like your cocktail) you can add about 1/4 oz. of simple syrup.
- Peychaud’s bitters -Optional – although not an ingredient in the classic drink, the bitters add depth and enhance the other flavors.
- Fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary – Optional – make a lovely garnish for the holidays but you can certainly omit them.
All about vodka and cranberry
- What do you call vodka and cranberry? Originally this was called the Red Devil but quickly became known as a Cape Cod or Codder. The recipe was developed in 1945 by the Ocean Spray growers co-op in Cape Cod as a way to promote cranberry juice. Pretty smart, right?
- What does vodka and cranberry taste like? This is an easy-drinking cocktail. It’s sweet, tart and juicy and just the thing to have before that big holiday dinner or when you’re lounging by the beach or the pool in summer.
How to make It
- For the traditional Cape Codder, fill a collins glass with ice, pour in the vodka and top with the juice, and a squeeze of lime.
- For this version, if you’re using cranberry sauce, combine the sauce, vodka, and simple syrup in a shaker tin. Squeeze a lime wedge over the mixture. Add ice and shake for 10 seconds.
- Double strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish and enjoy it.
Other Easy Cocktails you may like!
- Gin and Ginger Ale – light and breezy and loved by those who don’t like gin.
- Mexican Mule – give your mule a tequila twist!
- Vodka Sour – simple, refreshing and oh-so-fun to play with.
📖Recipe
Cape Cod Cocktail: Vodka and Cranberry
The Cape Cod Cocktail, that vodka and cranberry classic, gets a holiday makeover in this light and refreshing winter cocktail! What better way to use up that leftover cranberry sauce than to put it into a cocktail?
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Servings: 1
Calories: 61kcal
Ingredients
- 2 oz. vodka I like Snowleopard
- 2 oz. cranberry juice cocktail
- 1 Tablespoon cranberry sauce
- 1 lime wedge
- 1/2 oz. simple syrup optional
- 2 dashes peychauds bitters
Instructions
- Combine the vodka, cranberry juice cocktail and cranberry sauce into a shaker tin. Squeeze the lime wedge and add to the tin. Add the bitters.
- Add ice to the cocktail tin and shake for 30 – 45 seconds until the outside gets really cold. Taste and add simple syrup if needed and then re shake to mix. Double strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with the cranberries and rosemary sprig if desired.
Recipe Notes
- Vodka – I like Snow Leopard for this drink but any good quality vodka will do nicely.
- Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice – this one is still the best.
- Limes – Traditionally not part of the cocktail, but fresh lime juice adds freshness and plays really well with the cranberry juice. Bottled will do in a pinch, but fresh lime juice makes ALL the difference.
- Leftover cranberry sauce – Optional. This was a game-changer in my opinion – the sauce deepens the cranberry flavor and adds body and silkiness to the drink. g the drink silkier mouthfeel.
- Simple syrup -Optional – this cocktail is fairly dry. Depending upon how sweet your cranberry sauce is (and how sweet you like your cocktail) you can add about 1/4 oz. of simple syrup.
- Peychaud’s bitters -Optional – although not an ingredient in a classic vodka and cranberry cocktail, the bitters add depth and enhance the other flavors.
Nutrition
Calories: 61kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 12mg | Sugar: 16g | Iron: 0.5mg
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