Looking for the easiest refreshing cocktail? The Cape Codder is more than just vodka and cranberry juice — it’s New England in a glass! This tart, ruby-red sipper has been winning hearts since the mid-20th century and is the ultimate “anytime, anywhere” drink. 🍹✨
The Cape Codder is typically served in a highball glass. A highball glass is tall and straight-sided, perfect for iced mixed drinks. If you don’t have a highball glass handy, a Collins glass works just as well.
Cape Codder Recipe
The Cape Codder — also called a ‘Vodka Cranberry’ — is a simple, refreshing drink made with vodka, cranberry juice, and a squeeze of lime. First popularized in the 1940s by Ocean Spray, it remains a go-to for its crisp, tart flavor and easy preparation.
4
servings300
kcal1
hour10
minutesIngredients
2 Ounces Vodka
4 Ounces Cranberry juice
0.5 Ounces Fresh lime juice
1 Piece Lime wedge
Directions
- Fill a highball glass with ice.
- Add vodka and cranberry juice.
- Add a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
- Stir gently to combine.
- Garnish with a lime wedge.
Equipment
- Highball GlassBuy this glass
Cocktail Stirring SpoonBuy it here
Notes
- Use 100% cranberry juice for a tarter drink, or cranberry juice cocktail for a sweeter version.
- Chill your glass beforehand for extra refreshment.
- Adjust lime juice to taste.
The Best Ingredients For a Cape Codder
- Vodka: Tito’s Handmade ($25) for smoothness, Ketel One ($28) for crispness, or Grey Goose ($35) for premium quality.
- Cranberry Juice: Ocean Spray 100% Cranberry for authentic flavor, or a cranberry juice cocktail if you prefer sweeter.
- Lime Juice: Fresh only — one medium lime yields about 0.5oz juice.
- Ice: Clear ice cubes for presentation and slower melting.
Fun Fact
The Cape Codder was originally marketed by Ocean Spray in the late 1940s as the “Red Devil” before being renamed after Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Why I Like It
The Cape Codder is the definition of simple done right. It’s tart, refreshing, and just sweet enough, making it perfect for warm weather or as an easy party drink. The cranberry’s bold color pops beautifully in the glass, and the lime adds a bright little kick.
It’s a no-fuss cocktail that feels classy without any special bartending skills. If you can pour two liquids over ice, you can make this drink.
A Brief History of the Cape Codder 🍹
The Cape Codder emerged in the United States during the 1940s when Ocean Spray began promoting cranberry juice as a mixer for alcoholic drinks. Vodka, still gaining popularity post-Prohibition, was the spirit of choice.
By the 1960s, bartenders across the country knew the Cape Codder as a standard two-ingredient drink, and it became the base inspiration for other vodka-and-juice cocktails like the Sea Breeze and Bay Breeze.
Originally called the “Red Devil,” the drink was renamed “Cape Codder” to evoke the Massachusetts cranberry-growing region.
Over the years, it’s remained a favorite for those who appreciate light, fruit-forward drinks. Its simplicity is also why it’s a common “first cocktail” for many new drinkers.
Final Thoughts 🎉
The Cape Codder is a timeless easy-sipper that proves you don’t need a dozen ingredients for a perfect drink. At roughly 160 calories, it’s a light option that delivers big flavor. What’s your take on the Cape Codder — do you love its tart simplicity or prefer a twist like the Sea Breeze? Let us know in the comments!
