Cape Cod (Vodka Cranberry) Cocktail

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 10/6/22
Tested by
Sean Michael Johnson
Photo of Sean Michael Johnson
Tested by Sean Michael Johnson
Sean is an award-winning bartender with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He is the head bartender at the two-Michelin-star restaurant, Gabriel Kreuther, crafting cocktail menus that have caught international attention. To date, he has made over 1 million cocktails, and counting.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Cape Cod cocktail in two glasses

The Spruce Eats / Haley Hazell

Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

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 one of those easy vodka cocktails that is a good everyday drink. It is reliable and one that you can mix up in minutes.

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.

"The Cape Cod is simple, easy, and refreshing, and this recipe strikes an excellent balance. Also known as the ‘vodka-cran,’ this cocktail should be known by every bartender, period. It is a perfect cocktail for home imbibing if you want something tasty without expending any energy at all." —Sean Johnson

Cape Cod cocktail in a glass with a lime wedge
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces vodka

  • 3 ounces cranberry juice

  • Lime wedge, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Cape Cod cocktail ingredients gathered

    The Spruce Eats / Haley Hazell

  2. In a highball glass with ice cubes, pour the vodka and cranberry juice.

    Vodka, cranberry juice, and ice in a glass

    The Spruce Eats / Haley Hazell

  3. Stir well.

    Cape Cod Cocktail in a glass

    The Spruce Eats / Haley Hazell

  4. Garnish with a lime wedge. Serve and enjoy.

    Cape Cod cocktail in a glass with ice and a lime garnish

    The Spruce Eats / Haley Hazell

Tip

  • Squeeze the juice from the lime wedge into the drink and drop it into the glass before drinking.
  • 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.

If you add just one more juice to the Cape Cod, a number of equally popular mixed drinks are born. Knowing there is a fantastic way to spice up your routine with no extra effort, these drinks are worth filing into your memory bank.

  • 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.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
189 Calories
0g Fat
17g Carbs
1g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 189
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 7mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 17g 6%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Total Sugars 10g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 48mg 238%
Calcium 39mg 3%
Iron 0mg 3%
Potassium 137mg 3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)