Madras Cocktail

This Madras Cocktail might remind you of a more familiar, but classic cocktail the Cape Codder. The Madras drink adds both color and sweetness with the addition of orange juice. A perfect summertime cocktail that is a good balance of sweet and tart.

Maybe overly sweet cocktails aren't your thing. A Vodka Cranberry or Cape Codder is on the tart side of things from the slightly astringent taste of cranberries. But cranberry cocktails are usually made, with cranberry cocktail juice and not 100% pure cranberry juice.

History of the Madras Cocktail

If cocktail history teaches us anything, it is that a heck of a lot of cocktails is closely related to one another. Usually, vodka-based cocktails made an appearance sometime after 1945.

And if anything, you may have heard this referred to as a "Mattress Cocktail" since the words sound somewhat close together. Perhaps they will sound more alike if you have a few of these.

But if you look at this recipe, it is a close cousin to the Cape Codder, which is also referred to as a Vodka Cranberry. As with ordering cocktails, a different name means something has been added or deleted.

The Cape Codder has other various cocktails that are derived from it.

• A Sea Breeze adds grapefruit juice
• A Bay Breeze adds pineapple juice.
• My Malibu Bay Breeze adds pineapple juice but also swaps the vodka for coconut rum.
• And yes, a Madras adds orange juice to a Cape Codder.
• And if you make this Madras with Rum it is then called a White Madras.

In this case, the addition of the splash of orange juice gives this a new name and a whole new look. It also adds a touch of sweetness without the use of simple syrup.

Tips for Making This

Here are my best tips for making this cocktail:

• Because of the amount of juice in this drink, serve in a tall glass.
• Be sure your juices are chilled before making this, otherwise consider using a cocktail shaker
• Use Cranberry Cocktail and not 100% Cranberry Juice
• Always use quality ice
• This is a stirred cocktail, which means there is no extra equipment required to make this at home.

Variations of this Cocktail

If you aren't a fan of vodka, then fear not. Here are a few ways to vary this cocktail

• If you use tequila, this becomes a Mexican Madras
• If you use gin, you might want to adjust the amount of OJ and shake this instead of pouring it

Watch Me Make This (41 Seconds)

How to Make a Madras Cocktail

Step 1: In a glass filled with ice, add vodka

Step 2: Add Cranberry Juice

Step 3: Top off the cocktail with orange juice. Serve right away or way for the colors to settle.

Step 4: Garnish and enjoy!

Other Vodka Cocktails You Might Enjoy

Electric Lemonade

Greyhound Cocktail

Red Russian

Vodka Gimlet

I hope you enjoy this Madras Cocktail Recipe below!

If you try this, would you mind hitting the "Rate" button? I'd love to know what you thought of it. If you modified the original recipe here, please let me know how it turned out. I love comments!

If you've tried this Madras Cocktail Recipe or any other recipe on the blog, I'd love the hear what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest to see what I'm up to.