The Madras is an uncomplicated, festive cocktail made from vodka, cranberry juice and orange juice. With just three ingredients and no special techniques, it’s quick to mix for a small gathering or prepared ahead in a dispenser for a larger crowd. Its bright red color makes it ideal for holiday celebrations and Christmas dinners, and it’s easily converted into a nonalcoholic mocktail.
Quick fruity cocktail
This Madras cocktail is perfect if you want a simple, crowd-pleasing drink for the holidays or all year round.
You only need vodka, cranberry juice and orange juice. Combine the ingredients in equal parts, shake with ice, and you have a refreshing Madras in minutes.
Ingredient notes
- Cranberry juice: use bottled or fresh cranberry juice, depending on availability and preference.
- Orange juice: fresh-squeezed is best for brightness, but a good-quality bottled juice works well.
- Vodka: choose any vodka you enjoy; a smoother vodka will yield a cleaner-tasting cocktail.
- Garnishes: orange slices and fresh cranberries add color and a festive finish.
- Sweetener (optional): if you prefer a sweeter drink, stir in a teaspoon of simple syrup or honey to taste.
Variations & substitutions
- Spiced: add a cinnamon stick to a pitcher or dispenser to gently infuse the drink.
- Mocktail: replace the vodka with ginger ale, 7-Up or club soda for a kid-friendly version.
- Other juices: a splash of grapefruit turns it into a Sea Breeze; pineapple makes it a Bay Breeze.
- Madras Mule: use ginger beer instead of soda for a spicier, fizzy version.
- Cape Codder: omit orange juice and serve vodka with cranberry juice only.
How to make a Madras cocktail
Mix equal parts cranberry juice, orange juice and vodka over ice. No special equipment is required—use a cocktail shaker or a mason jar with a tight lid.
- Shaking: combine ingredients in a shaker or jar, add ice, shake until chilled, then strain into a glass filled with fresh ice.
- Make-ahead: for parties, prepare the mix in a refrigerated dispenser (without ice) and add ice to each glass as you serve to avoid dilution.
- Stir before serving: juices can separate in storage, so give the dispenser or jar a gentle stir or shake to recombine flavors.
Kitchen notes
- Organization: read the recipe before you start and have chilled ingredients, ice and glassware ready.
- Use large ice: larger ice melts slower and helps prevent quick dilution.
- Storage: refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container; store without ice and add fresh ice when serving.
- Freshness: for best flavor, consume within 12 hours and no more than 24 hours after mixing when juices are involved.
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Madras Drink (cranberry vodka cocktail)
Ingredients
- Equal parts cranberry juice, orange juice and vodka — amounts depend on glass or dispenser; the quantities below serve one tall glass.
- 3 ounces cranberry juice
- 3 ounces orange juice
- 3 ounces vodka
- 1 teaspoon honey or simple syrup, optional
- large ice cubes
Instructions
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Pour 3 ounces cranberry juice, 3 ounces orange juice and 3 ounces vodka into a mason jar or shaker. Add 1 teaspoon honey or simple syrup if using.
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Close the lid and shake until combined and chilled.
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Open the jar, add a handful of large ice cubes, secure the lid again, and shake briefly to chill.
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Pour into a serving glass over fresh ice.
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Garnish with orange slices and whole cranberries, then serve.
Notes
Storage: refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container without ice, and add fresh ice when serving to keep flavors bright.
Freshness: for optimal flavor, drink within 12 hours and no more than 24 hours after mixing.