The Madras drink is a simple cocktail with vodka, cranberry juice, orange juice and lime garnish.
Madras Drink
A Madras Cocktail is a spin off of the classic Cape Codder, with the addition of a little orange juice. The drink is served over ice in a highball glass.
Madras Cocktail Origin and Siblings
As I mentioned above, the Madras is a spruced up version of the earlier Caper Codder. While still a somewhat popular drink, it is not ordered nearly as much as we did back in the 80’s when it was pretty much a “go-to” drink, especially among the ladies. It is rumored toe be named after Madras Plaid, and that was also the hey day of the preppy and they sure loved wearing plaid. As it is named after the fabric, the drink is also pronounced “Mad-ris”.
Other popular early spin-offs of the Cape Codder include the Sea Breeze and the Bay Breeze Drink. Once peach schnapps hit the scene, it was added to the vodka cranberry line-up in the Woo Woo drink.
How to Make a Madras Drink
Making this cocktail is super easy. No fancy tricks here. Just vodka, two juices, some ice and lime. Printable recipe card below to stash in your home bar.
Here’s the ingredients to make the drink; vodka, cranberry and orange juices, and fresh cut lime.
Start with a highball glass with fresh ice.
Add one and a half ounces of vodka.
Then one ounce of orange juice.
… and top with four ounces of cranberry juice and stir.
Squeeze the juice from a wedge of fresh lime in and/or garnish with a wheel of lime.

This easy vodka drink combines orange and cranberry juices with the liquor and finishes it off with a squeeze of lime.
- 1 1/2 oz vodka
- 1 oz orange juice
- 4 oz cranberry juice
- wedge of lime
Put fresh ice in a highball glass.
Top with the vodka and juices. Stir. Shaking really isn't necessary for this drink.
Squeeze a wedge of lime over glass. Garnish with lime if you like.
P. Jones says
Hubby and I made these drinks yesterday. They were so good and easy.
Jenn says
Love the combo of cranberry, orange and vodka! Fantastic cocktail and so easy to make!
Liz says
It’s been summer-like already and these Madras cocktails hit the spot. So easy and delish!
Gina Matsoukas says
My kind of drink! Tasty!
Chrysa says
This is the perfect drink for summer! So bright and refreshing. Yum!