Cape Cod Cocktail with 2 Ingredients: Vodka & Cranberry Guide

Whether you call it a Cape Cod Cocktail, a Cape Codder, or a Vodka Cranberry, this classic two- or three-ingredient drink is simple and delicious. It’s an essential easy cocktail to keep in your repertoire.

Cape Cod Cocktail

I was looking for pretty pink cocktails for Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day and decided to use a raspberry-infused vodka I had on hand, which instantly makes any drink look festive. The Cape Cod, also known as the Cape Codder or Vodka Cranberry, is wonderfully straightforward: vodka and cranberry juice are the stars.

I already had a bottle of cranberry juice left over from another recipe, so I mixed one up right away. This drink is tart, bright, and very easy to personalize depending on the cranberry juice you choose.

Ingredients to Make a Cape Codder Cocktail

• Vodka – Use your favorite vodka. A locally produced bottle is a great choice if you want to support local distilleries.
• Cranberry Juice – Both sweetened and unsweetened work. I prefer unsweetened so I can control the sweetness, but either is fine depending on your taste.
• Simple Syrup – Optional, and useful if you use unsweetened cranberry juice. You can also try a flavored simple syrup, such as ginger syrup, to add a twist.
• Lime wheel – A lime wedge or wheel makes a nice, fresh garnish.

Steps for Making a Vodka Cranberry Cocktail

This cocktail is built directly in the glass — no shaker required. Pour, stir, garnish, and serve.

Measure 3 ounces of cranberry juice and 2 ounces of vodka.

If you are using unsweetened cranberry juice, add about ½ ounce of simple syrup, then taste and adjust if you prefer it sweeter.

Fill a rocks glass with ice. Add the cranberry juice, vodka, and simple syrup (if using).

Stir for 20–30 seconds to chill and achieve the right dilution, then garnish with a lime wedge.

That’s it — one of the easiest and most refreshing vodka cocktails you can make.

This drink is perfect year-round: tart, pretty, and refreshing. It’s a go-to for quick entertaining or a relaxed evening at home.

More Easy Vodka Cocktails

If you like cranberry-flavored cocktails, try a raspberry Cosmopolitan for a fruitier take. Another simple option is the Greyhound, combining vodka and grapefruit juice for a bright, citrus-forward drink. For something slightly different, a New England Vodka Sour blends vodka, grapefruit juice, and maple syrup for a sweet-tart cocktail with regional character.

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