The Madras cocktail features smooth vodka and tart juice. This easy cocktail requires only 3 ingredients and is ready in no time at all.
I love fruity drinks in the summer. Some of my favorites are the Bahama mama and the Strawberry Daiquiri. The Madras cocktail adds a blast of citrus flavor to the classic cape cod drink and comes together so quickly.
It’s perfect for a hot summer day and great to serve when hosting guests. Delight your tastebuds and wow your guests!
Why I Love This Drink
- Easy: No fancy bar equipment required.
- Ingredients: You only need a few common ingredients that most people have on hand.
- Flavor: The tart fruit flavor makes these go down easy.
Perfect For
- Pool Parties
- After dinner drink on the porch
- BBQs
- Weekend brunch with the girls
- Its red color makes it great for the holidays, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day.
History, Origin, and Name
The Madras cocktail (pronounced Mad-Ris) was invented in the early 1940s. It is named after a brightly colored plaid fabric common near the Indian city of Madras (now called Chennai).
Ingredient Notes and Shopping Tips
- Orange Juice: Use freshly squeezed for the best flavor.
- Cranberry Juice: Avoid no sugar added drinks which can be too tart. Instead, use sweetened cranberry juice, also called cranberry juice cocktail, ironically enough! There are a plethora of varieties in the juice aisle these days. Strawberry, lime, or raspberry varieties would be a fun twist. Avoid pink juices, which won’t give you the dark color typical of this drink.
- Vodka: Use a mid-shelf vodka: I like Absolut and Titos best. Also, consider fruity-flavored vodkas for a new twist.
Fun Variations
- Cape Cod: Leave out the orange juice
- Cosmo: Leave out the orange juice with lime juice and add triple sec
- Sea Breeze: Replace the orange juice with grapefruit juice
- Bay Breeze: Replace the orange juice with pineapple juice
- Woo Woo: Replace the orange juice with peach schnapps.
- Sex on the Beach: Add peach schnapps.
- Add bubbly: Make your drink fizzy by adding champagne, prosecco, or even carbonated soda like Sprite.
How To Make a Madras Cocktail
- Fill a tall glass with ice. Combine all ingredients and stir.
How Strong Is This Drink?
This drink is moderate in strength. It is around 20 proof and equal to one standard drink.
Tips
- Serve a crowd: Mix it up as a pitcher or punch recipe by multiplying your servings time your number of guests.
- Garnish: Add a garnish such as fresh cranberries, a lime slice, or even a cocktail umbrella.
- Ice: Make ice cubes using fruit juice to avoid a watered-down drink. Or consider making clear ice by using bottled water.
Still Thirsty? Follow Baking Beauty on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram, so you don’t miss a recipe. Subscribe to our newsletter too!
Try These Cocktails Next
Madras Drink
Ingredients
- 1 ½ Ounces Vodka
- 3 Ounces Cranberry Juice
- 1 Ounce Orange Juice Freshly Squeezed
- Lime If Desired For Garnish
Instructions
- Pour all ingredients into a tall glass filled with ice. Stir and enjoy responsibly.
Notes
- Orange Juice: Use freshly squeezed for the best flavor.
- Cranberry Juice: Avoid no sugar added drinks which can be too tart. Instead, use sweetened cranberry juice, also called cranberry juice cocktail, ironically enough! There are a plethora of varieties in the juice aisle these days. Strawberry, lime, or raspberry varieties would be a fun twist. Avoid pink juices, which won't give you the dark color typical of this drink.
- Vodka: Use a mid-shelf vodka: I like Absolut and Titos best. Also, consider fruity-flavored vodkas for a new twist.
Tips
- Serve a crowd: Mix it up as a pitcher or punch recipe by multiplying your servings time your number of guests.
- Garnish: Add a garnish such as fresh cranberries, a lime slice, or even a cocktail umbrella.
- Ice: Make ice cubes using fruit juice to avoid a watered-down drink. Or consider making clear ice by using bottled water.
Let know what you think