Sea Breeze

The Sea Breeze is a layered vodka cocktail that belongs to the “Cape Cod” family – drinks built on the classic combination of vodka, cranberry juice and grapefruit juice, built directly in a highball glass over ice with no shaking or straining needed.

Tart cranberry juice, zesty freshly pressed grapefruit juice and smooth vodka and as Rico puts it, it’s “the daddy of all cranberry juice cocktails.”

Tart, tangy and beautifully balanced. The sharpness of cranberry juice meets the zesty bite of grapefruit, with smooth vodka tying everything together without taking over. The Sea Breeze is a no-fuss classic.

The Sea Breeze originated in the U.S. during the 1920s or 1930s as a variation of the Cape Codder (vodka and cranberry juice) cocktail. However, the original Sea Breeze was made with gin and has undergone several transformations before becoming the beloved version we know today.

Bartenders introduced grapefruit juice to the classic Cape Codder recipe to give the drink a tangy twist. Check out our recipe for a vintage Cape Codder.

The Sea Breeze cocktail was particularly popular during the ‘70s and remains ever-present today. One of the reasons the Sea Breeze is still a staple after nearly a century (give or take a few years) is because of its versatility – it can be made with various spirits, including vodka, gin, and even tequila.

• Use store-bought cranberry juice
  Cranberry is one of those rare exceptions to the fresh ingredient rule. Cranberry juice mix – a blend of cranberry juice, added sugars and other fruit juices – is less tart and better balanced than anything you’d make from scratch.

  As Rico puts it, “there are many bartenders who would say that they started bartending 5 BC or 10 BC. BC means before cranberry juice was released — because once this was released, everyone was putting cranberry juice in their drink.” Take Rico’s word for it.

• Always use fresh grapefruit juice
  This is where the Sea Breeze is made or broken. “You want to use freshly squeezed grapefruit juice. Don’t buy store-bought, just get a grapefruit, juice it. It will make the difference to your drink,” shares Rico. The contrast between store-bought cranberry and fresh grapefruit is exactly what gives the Sea Breeze its character – one for convenience, one for quality.

As part of the “Cape Cod” family of cocktails, we recommend the following as variations of a classic Sea Breeze cocktail:

• More grapefuit juice, less cranberry juice
  Personally, I love the taste of grapefruit, especially when you find those sweet, ripe ones. For a twist, swap around the measurements by using 2.5 parts of grapefruit juice and 1.5 parts of cranberry juice. This swap balances the tartness with a touch of sweetness,

• Vintage Cape Codder
  Love cranberry juice? Then, you’ll love this drink. One and half parts Absolut Vodka mixed with 5 parts cranberry juice and then garnished with lime. Discover our Vintage Cape Codder recipe.
• Easy Breeze
  Equal parts Vodka and cranberry juice, garnished with an orange wedge. This Sea Breeze drink recipe is a summer essential. See how to make an Easy Breeze.

• Bay Breeze
  A tropical escape awaits. Vodka, cranberry, pineapple juice, garnished with fresh pineapple and lime. Discover our Bay Breeze recipe.

• The Greyhound
  Ah, The Greyhound. Because you can never have too much grapefruit. Grab yourself bottle of Absolut Grapefruit and let us show you how to make a Greyhound cocktail at home.
• Gentle Sea Breeze
  An alcohol-free Sea Breeze drink or Sea Breeze Mocktail is known as a Gentle Sea Breeze. It combines equal parts of cranberry juice and grapefruit juice over ice. Here’s how to make a Gentle Sea Breeze.
  

Those vibrant layers of color deserve to be shown off. Here’s how to serve a Sea Breeze.

• Glassware
  A highball glass is non-negotiable – it’s the only way to show off those layers of cranberry red and grapefruit pink that make the Sea Breeze as visually striking as it is.

• Lime wheel
  Place a lime wheel on the rim for some color and a bright citrus aroma that complements the grapefruit juice in the drink.
• Mix it up
  A grapefruit wedge, a sprig of mint, a lemon wheel or a rosemary sprig – any of these work as alternative garnishes that add both visual interest and complementary flavor. The Sea Breeze is a drink that rewards a little creative attention at the finish.