This Madras drink is a simple mix of vodka, cranberry and orange juice; no secret ingredients or complicated techniques. You can prepare it ahead and use a dispenser if making it for a large gathering. The beautiful red hue makes it perfect for holiday parties, Christmas potlucks and dinners. It can easily be transformed into a mocktail.
Quick fruity cocktail
This Madras cocktail is your jam if you're into uncomplicated holiday recipes.
Or simple drinks to make year-round, like the lemon martini or berry margarita.
There's no need to memorize a lengthy recipe or hunt down ingredients; just three straightforward components you might already have at home at this time of year.
Mix vodka, cranberry, and orange juice. Easy proportions, shake with ice - that's the casual charm of a Madras.
Ingredient Notes
Quantities are listed in the recipe card toward the end of this post. The Ingredients page has more details and lists the brands I use.
- Cranberry juice: fresh or bottled.
- Orange juice: Fresh is better, but use a good bottled brand if unavailable.
- Vodka: any brand you like works.
- Garnishes: orange slices and fresh cranberries.
- Sweetener: It's optional for those who like sweet drinks. Use sugar syrup, honey or other sweeteners of choice.
Variations & substitutions
- Spiced: Add cinnamon sticks to the jar and let them infuse the drink.
- Mocktail: replace the vodka with ginger ale, 7-Up or club soda. It's great as a kid-friendly option for family gatherings.
- Other fruit juices: add a splash of grapefruit juice to the Madras, and you've got a Sea Breeze cocktail. A splash of pineapple juice will render a Bay Breeze drink.
- Madras Mule cocktail: Use ginger beer. It will also give the drink some fizz.
- Cape Codder: omit the orange juice and use only vodka and cranberry juice.
How to make a Madras cocktail
You just need to mix equal amounts of orange, cranberry juice and vodka with ice.
- No need for fancy equipment. A cocktail shaker is handy if you already have one, but for a homemade version you can use a mason jar with a tight lid.
- For larger gatherings, we recommend a glass beverage dispenser that you can refill easily. Depending on your space, consider drink dispensers with a stand; it's less messy.
- Serve it chilled: this is essential. So keep the components in the fridge and assemble at the last minute. If making it in a jar or dispenser for a party, refill often instead of making a very large batch that will water down. Have the drink assembled in the fridge (without ice) and use large pieces of ice when serving it.
- Stir before serving: if separation occurs during storage, give the Madras a gentle stir or shake to recombine the ingredients.
Kitchen notes
- Organization: Read the recipe first and ensure you have the ingredients at the correct temperature, the equipment, and enough workspace. This will make the process so much easier.
- Use large pieces of ice: this is key. Bartending-type ice is larger and melts more slowly than homemade cubes.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers. Pour the cocktail into an airtight container or sealable bottle. The cold temperature slows down the oxidation process, preserving the flavors.
- Avoid dilution by leaving out the ice when storing, and add it just before serving to prevent the cocktail from becoming watered down.
- Consume the Madras within 12 hours (and no more than a day) for the best taste and quality. Cocktails, especially those with fruit juices, start to lose their freshness and vibrant flavors over time.
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Madras Drink (cranberry vodka cocktail)
Ingredients
- You need equal parts of each component, except for the sweetener. So the amount depends on the glasses, jar or dispenser you're using. The quantity below serves 1 tall glass approximately.
- 3 ounces cranberry juice
- 3 ounces orange juice
- 3 ounces vodka
- 1 teaspoon honey or simple syrup, optional
- large ice cubes
Instructions
- Pour 3 ounces cranberry juice, 3 ounces orange juice and 3 ounces vodka into a Mason jar. Add 1 teaspoon honey or simple syrup if using a sweetener.
- Close the lid tightly and shake until combined.
- Open the Mason jar and add a handful of large ice cubes, then secure the lid and give it another good shake.
- Pour the mixture into your serving glass.
- Garnish with orange slices and whole cranberries and serve.
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