The Cape Cod Cocktail, that vodka and cranberry classic, gets a holiday makeover in this light and refreshing winter cocktail recipe! What better way to use up that leftover cranberry sauce than to put it into a cocktail?
Thanksgiving is all about abundance, right? More side dishes than you can shake a stick at, and a turkey that you hope you can snack on the next day. For me, that abundance includes way more cranberry sauce. Even after slathering it on the obligatory turkey sandwich, I still have a bunch leftover.
So I made a vodka and cranberry cocktail. Full disclaimer. Prior to making this drink, I was not a fan of the Cape Cod Cocktail. If you’ve been reading ACT for a bit, you know I was not a fan of vodka… well until I tried this Vanilla Pear Vodka Gimlet. I was hooked! Now, this Grey Goose Martini with a Twist is in regular rotation. Expanding my horizon, I experimented with flavored vodkas like a Ruby Red Moscow Mule!
Definitely time to take on the classic combination of vodka and cranberry and remake this Cape Cod Cocktail recipe!
But first, a bit of background on the Cape Cod Cocktail..
What do you call vodka and cranberry?
- Currently, this drink is known as a Cape Cod or a Cape Codder. The original title of this cocktail was the Red Devil!
- The Cape Cod Cocktail recipe was developed in 1945 by the Ocean Spray cranberry growers cooperative in Cape Cod, Massachusetts as a way to promote cranberry juice. Pretty smart, right?
- This vodka and cranberry cocktail is just what its name implies, vodka and cranberry typically served with a wedge of lime.
Ingredients you need to make The Cape Cod Cocktail Recipe:
- Vodka – I prefer a smooth and neutral flavored vodka like Snow Leopard for this drink but any good quality vodka will do nicely.
- Cranberry Juice Cocktail – Ocean spray all the way!
- Limes – fresh lime juice
- Leftover cranberry sauce – for the traditional Cape Cod, you don’t need this but the drink is so much better with it!
- Simple syrup – depending upon how sweet your cranberry sauce is, you may need to add a little simple syrup for balance.
- Peychaud’s bitters – again not part of the Cape Cod Cocktail Recipe, but the bitters add an amazing depth to this simple drink.
- Fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary – totally optional but I think they make a lovely garnish!
How to make a vodka and cranberry Cape Cod Cocktail:
Step #1: Combine all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake.
Step #2: Double strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Step #3: Garnish and enjoy!
Other vodka cocktails you might enjoy:
Cape Cod Cocktail: Vodka and Cranberry Recipe
Cape Cod Cocktail: Vodka and Cranberry
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.
Nutrition
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