Refreshing Sea Breeze Cocktail With Vodka and Cranberry Juice

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It is tart, fruity, and refreshing without feeling heavy or overly sweet.
• The simple 1:2:1 ratio makes the cocktail easy to remember and scale.
• Everything is mixed directly in the serving glass, so no cocktail shaker is needed.
• Its crisp citrus flavor is especially enjoyable at brunches, cookouts, and warm-weather gatherings.

Grocery List

• Produce: 1 small ruby red grapefruit for fresh juice and a garnish wedge
• Dairy: None needed
• Pantry: Vodka, cranberry juice cocktail, and ice cubes

Full Ingredients

For the Cocktail

• 1 1/2 fluid ounces vodka, equal to 3 tablespoons, chilled to 40°F or colder
• 3 fluid ounces cranberry juice cocktail, equal to 6 tablespoons, chilled to 40°F or colder
• 1 1/2 fluid ounces ruby red grapefruit juice, equal to 3 tablespoons, freshly squeezed and fine-strained if possible
• 1 cup ice cubes, about 5 ounces by weight

For the Garnish

• 1 thin ruby red grapefruit wedge, cut about 1/4 inch thick

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the grapefruit

Wash and dry the grapefruit. Cut one thin wedge about 1/4 inch thick and set it aside for the garnish. Squeeze enough of the remaining grapefruit to measure exactly 1 1/2 fluid ounces, or 3 tablespoons, of juice. Pour the juice through a fine-mesh strainer to remove seeds and excess pulp.

Step 2: Chill the ingredients

For the lightest, crispest drink, use vodka, cranberry juice cocktail, and grapefruit juice chilled to 40°F or colder. Cold ingredients melt the ice more slowly and prevent the cocktail from becoming watery too quickly.

Step 3: Fill the glass with ice

Add 1 cup of ice cubes to a clean 10- to 12-ounce highball or Collins glass. The ice should reach close to the top of the glass, leaving enough room for the measured liquids.

Step 4: Add the vodka

Measure 1 1/2 fluid ounces, or 3 tablespoons, of vodka and pour it directly over the ice. Measuring rather than pouring by eye keeps the cocktail balanced and prevents the alcohol from overpowering the fruit juices.

Step 5: Pour in the juices

Add 3 fluid ounces, or 6 tablespoons, of cranberry juice cocktail. Follow with 1 1/2 fluid ounces, or 3 tablespoons, of ruby red grapefruit juice. Pour slowly so the glass does not overflow as the liquid settles around the ice.

Step 6: Stir and garnish

Stir gently with a long spoon for 10 seconds, or about 12 to 15 rotations, until the vodka and juices are evenly combined and thoroughly chilled. Slide the grapefruit wedge onto the rim of the glass. Serve immediately while the drink is cold, crisp, and only lightly diluted.

Pro Tips

• Choose cranberry juice cocktail: Standard cranberry juice cocktail provides the sweetness needed to balance the tart grapefruit. Pure, unsweetened cranberry juice will make the drink considerably sharper.
• Use fresh grapefruit juice when possible: Fresh ruby red grapefruit juice gives the cocktail a bright citrus aroma and a gently bittersweet finish. Strain it for a smoother drink.
• Use plenty of solid ice: A glass packed with large, hard ice cubes stays colder and generally dilutes more slowly than a glass containing only a few small cubes.
• Stir instead of shaking: Gentle stirring preserves the cocktail’s clean appearance and creates the traditional light, easy-drinking texture.
• Measure the ingredients: The 1 part vodka, 2 parts cranberry juice, and 1 part grapefruit juice ratio provides a reliable balance of strength, sweetness, and acidity.

Variations

• Bay Breeze: Replace the 1 1/2 fluid ounces grapefruit juice with 1 1/2 fluid ounces pineapple juice for a sweeter, more tropical cocktail.
• Lower-Alcohol Sea Breeze: Reduce the vodka to 1 fluid ounce and add 1 fluid ounce chilled club soda after stirring. Pour the soda gently and stir once before garnishing.
• Extra-Tart Sea Breeze: Use white grapefruit juice in place of ruby red grapefruit juice. White grapefruit has a more assertive bitterness and a sharper citrus finish.

Storage & Make-Ahead

A Sea Breeze is best assembled immediately before serving because ice dilution softens its fresh, tart flavor. For make-ahead preparation, combine the vodka, cranberry juice cocktail, and grapefruit juice in an airtight container and refrigerate at 40°F or colder for up to 4 hours. Stir the mixture before pouring it over fresh ice. Grapefruit wedges may be cut up to 4 hours ahead and refrigerated in a sealed container. If necessary, leftover cocktail mixture without ice can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours, although the grapefruit flavor will be less vibrant. Do not store a finished drink over ice.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 160 kcal | Carbs: 15g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 14g | Sodium: 5mg | Cholesterol: 0mg