A change from the boring Vodka Tonic or ordinary Vodka Martini. Try a Cape Cod. The name refers to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, a peninsula and popular tourist destination located in the eastern United States which is famous for growing cranberries. A Cape Cod is made with vodka and cranberry juice, and may be garnished with a lime wedge. The Cape Codder is related to a number of other vodka cocktails which replace the cranberry juice with another juice. This drink was conceived in 1945 by the Ocean Spray cranberry grower’s cooperative under the name “Red Devil” in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The “Cape Codder” name dates from the early 1960s.
The Cape Cod (or Cape Codder) is one of the easiest mixed drinks that you will find. There is no mystery to it and nothing special about it: it is quite simply vodka and cranberry. Despite its simplicity, it is a great tasting drink and a perfect choice for happy hour or anytime you simply want a fruity, refreshing cocktail. This is also one of the few times that the ingredients (particularly the vodka) do not really matter. Cranberry juice has a heavy flavor and it will disguise almost any impurities that are in the vodka, so go ahead and use the budget-friendly brands. The fact that it’s a cheap drink to make at home is just one more benefit to the Cape Cod.
Ingredients:
- 3 ounces cranberry juice
- 2 ounces vodka
- Garnish: lime wedge
Directions:
- Pour the ingredients into a highball glass with ice cubes.
- Stir well.
- Squeeze the juice from the lime wedge into the drink and drop it into the glass.
- If you want to spritz up the Cape Cod, simply add a splash of your favorite clear soda. Ginger ale is a perfect choice.
Recipe Variations
- Cosmopolitan – Without a doubt, the Cosmo is the most popular vodka-cranberry martini around. It’s a simple way to enjoy the duo in a fancier form and you can sweeten it as much as you like with the juice. All you need to add to the mix is an orange liqueur and a touch of lime.
- Crantini – This ‘up’ drink combines the easy of the Cape Cod with the style of the Cosmopolitan. It returns to that simple two-ingredient recipe we love in the highball, though it shakes things up and is served in a cocktail glass.
- Jolly Rancher – A very fun rendition of the Cape Cod, here we return to the refreshing spiked juice combo on the rocks. This time, however, you’ll choose your favorite apple vodka and toss in a little peach schnapps to make it taste like the famous candy.
- Woo Woo – If you love that peach-cranberry combination in the Jolly Rancher, you’ll love the Woo Woo. It traditionally returns to a clear vodka, but use the flavor of your choice. You can also serve this fun cocktail ‘up’ in a cocktail glass, on the rocks, or as a party shot.
- Purple Haze – A fun and simple twist on the Cape Cod, you simply need to add a splash of black raspberry liqueur to the mix to create the cranberry version of the Purple Haze. Chambord’s the most likely liqueur, but there are other options available as well.
How Strong Is the Cape Cod?
As with any highball mixed drink, you can make the Cape Cod as strong or weak as you like. It’s as simple as pouring more or less of either of the two ingredients. If, however, you pour the drink according to the recipe above and use an 80-proof vodka, your Cape Cod will be right around 14 percent ABV (28 proof). That’s a little stronger than the average glass of wine.
More Vodka and Juice Drinks
Mixed drinks like the Cape Cod fall into two classifications: duos and trios. These terms are used to define simple liquor and juice drinks that are served either tall or short over ice. ‘Duos’ refer to two ingredients: liquor and one fruit juice. ‘Trios’ includes three ingredients: liquor and two fruit juices. Among the duos and trios of the bartending world, vodka makes the biggest splash. It is, after all, the most mixable liquor in the bar and with all this juice, it can easily get lost in the mix. This adds to its appeal for many drinkers.
Sea Breeze – The ‘sea’ comes from the addition of grapefruit juice. Think tropical breezes on the beach when remembering this one.
Bay Breeze – In the ‘bay’ we’re thinking about pineapple juice. Place this one in your memory by recalling a calm cove on a tropical island.
Madras – Orange juice makes the splash in this popular drink. To remember it, simply think of the mandarin orange.
Sex on the Beach which adds orange juice and schnapps
Rose Kennedy Cocktail which includes club soda and many more.
Source: The Spurce eats
