The Cape Codder cocktail aka the Cape Cod drink is a bar classic comprised of a simple combination vodka and cranberry juice. The Cape Codder drink is typically made with lime juice or a nice big lime wedge as a squeezable garnish.
The refreshing cocktail is great to serve anytime of year.
cape codder (cocktail) with lime wedge
I'll walk you through the recipe below and share a little background on the classic vodka cocktail.
Cape Codder Cocktail Origin
The Cape Codder (cocktail) is pretty popular in my area, since it is named after nearby Cape Cod. Cape Cod is famous for it's cranberry bogs and is the location of the famous Ocean Spray Cranberry cooperative. Since cranberry juice is the primary ingredient in the cocktail the name makes sense.
The cocktail was originally developed by Ocean Spray and called the Red Devil, but has been going by it's current title since the early 1960's. It is the perfect cocktail to serve one the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays in my opinion, due to the seasonal appeal of fresh cranberries witch the juice in this drink will compliment.
This vodka and cranberry juice cocktail is a popular drink and typically garnished with a lime wedge.
How to Make the Cape Codder Cocktail
Here is a specific visual guide to making the Cape Codder drink. Most bartenders simply pour a shot over ice in a highball glass, top with cranberry, shake and drop a wedge of lime in the glass.
This is a more specific cocktail recipe. If you make it a few times you will get a feel for the pour and can adjust to your personal taste.
Make sure you have everything to make the cocktail first, including fresh ice.
Pour 2 ounces of vodka into a highball glass filled with fresh ice cubes.
Then add 4-5 ounces of cranberry juice cocktail.
Then a half ounce of fresh lime juice. If you prefer to squeeze it straight into the drink, a wedge about ¼ of a small lime will make roughly this much juice.
Then just drop the spent wedge into the cocktail if you like.
Shake or stir to mix and garnish with a lime circle or wedge.
Cocktails Similar to the Cape Codder
There are several spin off drinks from this classic cocktail. Many of them have become equally popular over the years.
The drink is the starting point for these cocktail recipes.
- The addition of peach schnapps creates the Woo Woo drink.
- With orange juice a Madras Cocktail is made.
- The Seabreeze adds grapefruit juice and omits the lime.
- Pineapple juice is featured in the Bay Breeze.
These cocktails even have spin offs themselves now. The juice ratios vary on these cocktails, but they are all based off this cranberry and vodka drink. All are simple to make at home, just as this one is.
Other Popular cocktails
Cape Codder Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 oz vodka
- 4 ½ ounces cranberry juice
- ½ ounce lime juice
- lime wedge garnish
Instructions
- Fill highball glass with fresh ice.
- Add vodka, then cranberry juice.
- Add the lime juice or squeeze a large wedge of lime into the drink.
- Shake the drink with a mixing cup or stir and serve.
Nutrition
Alt spellings: cape coder drink, cape cod mixed drink
Christina says
This cocktail was perfect for me! I loved the combination of flavors and how refreshing it was!
Chrissy says
I didn't realize this was so easy to make at home! We love anything with cranberry juice so this cocktail will be a hit around here.
Coleen says
When I travelled on a cruise they had something called the “Serenity’s Cape Cod”. Named for their version served at the Serenity Pool area on the ship.
This is a lighter variety, listed as a “skinny” cocktail.
Vodka, splash of cranberry, Perrier water, lime wedge. It’s very, light, yummy and refreshing!