How to Make the Ultimate Sea Breeze Cocktail 

WRITTEN BY: SCOTT VAN DORT

The Sea Breeze is a classic Vodka cocktail that’s fruity, pretty, delicious, and a staple for home-bartenders. 

One of the reasons we love the Sea Breeze cocktail is because it’s perfect for almost any occasion, whether it’s a house party, or just a chill afternoon. It works especially well during summer but, to be honest, is great anytime of year. The Sea Breeze can be served as a classic cocktail or as a punch, making it also perfect for bigger gatherings and parties.

So, grab a Highball Glass and let’s make a classic Sea Breeze!

How to Make a Sea Breeze

What You’ll Need

• • Highball Glass 
  • Paring Knife (for the Lime)
  • Citrus Elbow (or Citrus Press)
  • Bar Spoon (or other Household Spoon)
  • Jigger or Measuring Instrument
  • Glass Jug

Got questions about home bartending tools? Check out our guide.

How to Mix

1. Fill a Highball Glass with Ice Cubes.
2. Using a Citrus Elbow, juice the Grapefruit and pour the juice into a Glass Jug.
3. Measure and pour Absolut Vodka into your Highball Glass, followed by Cranberry Juice.
4. Place the back of a Spoon against the rim of your Highball Glass and carefully pour your fresh pressed Grapefruit Juice on top so it layers nicely.
5. Garnish with a Lime Wheel and enjoy!

What is a Sea Breeze Cocktail?
 

It’s a layered drink that belongs to the so-called “Cape Cod” family, which is made up of drinks crafted from Vodka and Cranberry juice and is high up on the list of fuss-free crowd-pleasing cocktails. By ‘layered drink’ we mean a drink where multiple ingredients are added separately without any shaking.

So then, what is a Sea Breeze cocktail made of you ask? Tart Cranberry Juice, zesty, Fresh Pressed Grapefruit Juice, and smooth Vodka. Knowing how to create a great Sea Breeze is essential for any aspiring home cocktail enthusiast.

In fact, Bartender and Absolut Global Brand Ambassador, Rico calls it the daddy of all Cranberry Juice cocktails. One sip, and you’ll know why.

What Does a Sea Breeze Cocktail Taste Like?

The Sea Breeze is a delightful combination of zesty, fresh and tangy flavors. The tartness of Cranberry is complemented by the sharpness of Grapefruit, offering a slightly tangy taste. The Vodka provides a smoothness, resulting in a well-balanced and invigorating flavor profile. A no-fuss classic cocktail that’s both delicate and delicious.

The History of the Sea Breeze Cocktail

This cocktail originated in the U.S. during the 1920s or 1930s as a variation of the cocktail, Cape Codder (Vodka and Cranberry Juice). 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. While you’re here, don’t miss our recipe for a vintage Cape Codder.

It was particularly popular during the ‘70s and remains ever-popular today. One of the reasons it’s a staple cocktail and remains popular after nearly a century (give or take a few years) is because of its versatility. A Sea Breeze can be made with various spirits, including Vodka, Gin, and even Tequila. 

How to Make the Perfect Sea Breeze

• Cranberry Juice Mix
  Although we almost always encourage using fresh ingredients, including fresh fruit, to bring your home cocktails up to bar-level standards, Cranberry is probably one of those rare exceptions.

  Most of the time you see Cranberry Juice listed as an ingredient in a cocktail recipe, it’s safe to assume it refers to Cranberry Juice Mix, which is pre-mixed and bought from a store, rather than pure Cranberries that you need to juice and sweeten yourself.Cranberry Juice Mix is usually a blend of Cranberry Juice with added sugars and other fruit juices, making it less tart and more palatable for a wider range of cocktails. So, for this recipe, we recommend using Cranberry Juice Mix over juicing and sweetening Cranberries yourself.

  As Rico explains, “There’s 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!

• Grapefruit Juice – the make or break
  The success of your Seabreeze comes down to this very important detail. As Rico says, “This is where your drink is gonna be made or broken. Make it or break it. Grapefruit Juice. You want to use freshly squeezed Grapefruit Juice. Don’t buy store-bought just get a Grapefruit, juice it. It will make the difference of your drink.” So, yeah, the opposite of what we said about the Cranberry Juice above; you want to use fresh Grapefruit when making a Seabreeze.

Variations of a Sea Breeze

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

• 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 recipe. 
• Easy Breeze
  Equal parts Vodka and Cranberry Juice, garnished with an Orange Wedge. 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 Vodka and let us show you how to make a Greyhound cocktail at home. 
• Gentle Sea Breeze
  An alcohol-free Sea Breeze or Sea Breeze Mocktail is known as a Gentle Sea Breeze. It combines equal parts of Cranberry Juice and Grapefruit Juice over ice. It delivers a sweet and tangy flavor profile, with the tartness of the Cranberry Juice complemented by the citrusy notes of the Grapefruit Juice. Here’s how to make a Gentle Sea Breeze.
  

Serving and Garnish Ideas for a Sea Breeze

Since this is such an easy drink to make, how you present it is super important. First off, you’ll want to use a Highball Glass so it can show off the layers of color in the cocktail. 

To garnish your cocktail, place a Lime Wheel on the rim of your glass, which not only adds a pop of color but also infuses a hint of citrus aroma. The Lime Wheel complements the citrusy notes of the Grapefruit Juice, enhancing the overall drinking experience. With its vibrant colors, a garnished Sea Breeze makes for one delicious and attractive cocktail. 

Mix it up by garnishing your drink with a Grapefruit Wedge, Mint Leaves, a Lemon Wheel, or even a sprig of fresh Rosemary. Not only does these garnishes accentuate the presentation, they also add complementary flavors to the cocktail.