A Cape Cod cocktail is a Vodka Cranberry. It’s also sometimes called a Cape Codder. The name Cape Cod comes from East Coast town in Massachusetts which is famous for growing cranberries.
More cranberry drinks: Cosmo, Washington Apple Shot, Cranberry Spritz, Orange Cranberry Margarita, Sea Breeze, Bay Breeze.
Ingredients in a Cape Cod
- Vodka – Use a quality mid-priced vodka.
- Cranberry Juice – Bottled cranberry juice is recommended as fresh can be too bitter.
- Lime Wedge – Or lime wheel to garnish
The best cocktail glass for a vodka-cran is a highball glass.
How to make a Cape Codder
Fill a highball glass with ice cubes.
Pour in vodka, top with cranberry juice. Stir gently to combine.
Garnish with a slice of lime or lime wheel.
History of a Cape Cod (Vodka Cranberry)
The Cape Cod cocktail was created by Ocean Spray in the 1940s as a way to market their cranberry products. In the 1940s, the drink went by the name The Red Devil. The name Cape Cod was coined in the 1960s in an issue of The New Yorker.
By the 1960s, this drink had become so popular than all kinds of spin-off drinks began to be invented by mixing different alcohols with juices.
Tips For Making
- Add a squeeze of fresh lime juice to the mixture for extra lime flavor.
- In your freezer, make cranberry ice cubes to take this drink to the next level.
- Add some fresh cranberries for an appealing garnish.
Variations
- Bay Breeze Cocktail – Add pineapple juice to the Cape Cod recipe to create a Bay Breeze.
- Sea Breeze Cocktail – Add grapefruit juice to a Cape Cod recipe to create a Sea Breeze.
- Cosmopolitan Cocktail – The ingredients in a cosmo are very similar, with the addition of orange liqueur.
- Jolly Rancher Cocktail – Swap the vodka for apple vodka and add a shot of peach schnapps to make this drink taste like a Jolly Rancher candy.
- Woo Woo Cocktail – Replace unflavored vodka with any flavor of your choice. You can also serve this without ice, as a party shot.
- Purple Haze – As a fun variation on the Cape Cod, add a splash of black raspberry liqueur to the drink to create a cranberry version of the Purple Haze. Chambord is a good option for this.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Cape Cod drink made of?
Vodka, cranberry juice and a slice of lime.
What is the difference between a Cape Cod and a Sea Breeze?
A Cape Cod is vodka and cranberry. A Sea Breeze is vodka, cranberry and grapefruit juice. A Bay Breeze is vodka, cranberry and pineapple juice.
What is the history of the Cape Cod drink?
The Cape Cod cocktail was created by Ocean Spray in the 1940s as a way to market their cranberry products. In the 1940s, the drink went by the name The Red Devil.
What is a vodka and cranberry called?
A Cape Cod or a Cape Codder.
More Easy Vodka Cocktail
Recipes to pair with a Cape Cod Drink
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Learn to make a Cape Cod Cocktail (Vodka and Cranberry)
Instructions
-
Fill a highball glass with ice cubes.
-
Pour in vodka, top with cranberry juice. Stir gently to combine.
-
Garnish with a slice of lime or lime wheel.
Notes
- Add a squeeze of fresh lime juice to the mixture for extra lime flavor.
- In your freezer, make cranberry ice cubes to take this drink to the next level.
- Add some fresh cranberries for an appealing garnish.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Cape Cod Cocktail
Amount per Serving
% Daily Value*
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
