The Madras is one of those cocktails that’s almost impossible not to like. Vodka, cranberry juice, and orange juice over ice. It’s fruity, slightly sweet, and so easy to make.
Think of it as the softer cousin of the sea breeze cocktail. Where the sea breeze has that punchy tart grapefruit, the Madras swaps in orange juice for something rounder and more easygoing. Same gorgeous deep red color, completely different mood.
It’s a highball cocktail, which means it’s long, cold, and served in a tall glass over ice. No shaker needed. No special technique. You can have one ready in about two minutes, which is exactly what I want from a drink on a warm evening.
The name comes from Madras (now Chennai) in India. It’s a nod to the colorful Madras plaid fabric, which makes sense given how striking this drink looks in the glass.
Why you’ll love this cocktail
- Why you’ll love this cocktail
- Ready in TWO MINUTES with three main ingredients.
- That gorgeous deep red color in the glass.
- Scales up beautifully into a pitcher for a crowd.
- No fresh citrus required. Carton orange juice works perfectly here.
Key ingredients and why
- Vodka is the right base for a Madras. It’s clean and neutral, which lets the cranberry and orange do the flavor work. A mid-range unflavored vodka is all you need. I use 1.5oz (45ml) per drink.
- Cranberry juice cocktail adds sweetness, color, and that gorgeous deep red hue. Use cranberry juice cocktail, not 100% pure cranberry juice. Pure unsweetened cranberry is way too tannic and will throw the balance of this drink completely off. Cranberry juice cocktail is what bars use and what this drink is built around.
- Orange juice is where the Madras parts ways with the sea breeze. It brings a soft, round citrus sweetness that makes this drink feel approachable and easy. Carton orange juice is completely fine here but use a not-from-concentrate variety with no added sugar.
- Ice is worth filling the glass completely. A Madras is a tall, refreshing drink and it really is better ice cold. Fill the glass right to the rim before you pour anything.
Method
- To start, fill a highball glass with ice.
- Pour in the vodka, cranberry juice, and orange juice.
- Stir gently to combine. Garnish with an orange slice.
TIPS
- Stir or don’t stir. The cranberry juice is denser than the orange juice and will sink to the bottom, creating a natural gradient in the glass. If you love the layered look, don’t stir. If you prefer the drink a uniform deep red, give it a gentle stir before serving.
- Adjust the ratio to taste. More cranberry makes it deeper and sweeter. More orange juice makes it lighter and more citrus-forward. The recipe as written is a good starting point, but it’s a very forgiving drink.
- Make a pitcher. This is a great party drink because it’s so simple to scale up. For 8 servings, combine 12oz (355ml) vodka, 28oz (830ml) cranberry juice cocktail, and 12oz (355ml) orange juice in a pitcher. Add orange slices, keep chilled, and serve over ice.
More cocktails you’ll love
If you like the cranberry and citrus combination, the sea breeze cocktail is the natural next step. It has the same vodka and cranberry base, but with tart pink grapefruit instead of orange. It’s a bit more punchy and citrus-forward. The Cape Codder is the stripped-back version of this whole family. just vodka, cranberry, and fresh lime, nothing else. And if you want to take the cranberry in a completely different direction, my cranberry gin martini is stunning.
Madras Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz vodka
- 3.5 oz cranberry juice
- 1.5 oz orange uice
- Ice
- Orange slice
Instructions
- Fill a tall highball glass right to the rim with ice.
- Pour in the vodka and orange juice.
- Top with the cranberry juice cocktail. Don’t stir for a layered look; stir gently for a uniform deep red color.
- Garnish with an orange slice on the rim and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use cranberry juice cocktail, not 100% pure cranberry juice. Pure unsweetened cranberry is too tannic and will throw the balance off.
- Carton orange juice (not-from-concentrate, no added sugar) is perfectly fine here.
- For a pitcher (8 servings): combine 12oz (355ml) vodka, 28oz (830ml) cranberry juice cocktail, and 12oz (355ml) orange juice. Serve over ice.
