Cape Codder
Vodka and cranberry juice built over ice for a tart, refreshing highball.
11%
ABV
easy
Difficulty
highball
Glass
Flavor Profile
History & Heritage
“Ocean Spray popularized the vodka-cranberry highball in the late 1940s to sell its juice, originally calling it the "Red Devil" before rebranding to evoke Cape Cod's cranberry bogs. It became the foundation for a family of easygoing summer cocktails that dominated 1980s bars.”
Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
1.5 oz
4 oz
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Fill a highball glass with ice
Add vodka
Top with cranberry juice and stir
Garnish with a lime wedge
Glassware
Highball glass filled with ice
Garnish
Fresh lime wedge
Flavor Journey
Every great cocktail tells a story through its flavors. Here's the sensory experience you can expect.
Sweet
out of 10
Sour
out of 10
Bitter
out of 10
Strong
out of 10
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Use unsweetened cranberry juice for a cleaner flavor
Chill vodka before building
Squeeze the lime wedge for extra brightness
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Cape Codder.
Stronger Pour
Boost vodka to 2 oz for more bite.
Changes
Lighter Touch
Add more cranberry juice for a lower-ABV sipper.
Changes
Sweet and Tart
A splash of simple syrup balances the bite of unsweetened juice.
Changes
Sea Breeze
Adds grapefruit juice for a tart coastal cousin.
Changes
Bay Breeze
Pineapple juice brings a tropical twist.
Changes
Madras
Orange juice softens the tart cranberry.
Changes
Rose Kennedy
Top with club soda and a squeeze of lime for a lighter highball.
Changes
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Baby Woo Woo
A shot‑size Woo Woo—vodka and peach schnapps shaken with cranberry for a tart, fruity shooter.
Madras
Simple and refreshing—vodka with cranberry and orange juice over ice for a tart, fruity highball.
Rose Kennedy
A minimalist highball—vodka and crisp club soda kissed with a pale splash of cranberry and a lemon wedge.