Sea breeze

Sea Breeze

(0 ratings)

A refreshing vodka cocktail with cranberry and grapefruit juice, perfect for summer sipping

SUGGESTED GLASSWARE

Highball Glass

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Recipe

1 cocktail (225ml)
  • Vodka 
    45 ml
  • Cranberry Juice 
    90 ml
  • Fresh Grapefruit Juice 
    40 ml
  • Orange Peel 
    1 twist
Recipe credit: Classic cocktail recipe

Instructions

Step

Fill a highball glass generously with ice cubes to chill the drink and provide proper dilution.

Step

Using a jigger, measure and pour 45ml of premium vodka into the glass.

Step

Add 90ml of cranberry juice and 40ml of fresh grapefruit juice to the glass.

Step

Gently stir the mixture with a bar spoon to combine all ingredients while maintaining the drink’s clarity and preventing excessive dilution.

Step

Express the oils from an orange zest twist over the drink’s surface, then drop the twist into the glass as garnish.

Step

Serve immediately while cold, presenting the cocktail with the garnish visible for aromatic and visual appeal.

Equipment

Jigger
Bar spoon
Citrus peeler

Description

The Sea Breeze is a beloved classic cocktail that epitomizes refreshment with its perfect balance of tart grapefruit juice, sweet cranberry juice, and smooth vodka. This vibrant pink drink originated in the 1920s and gained popularity as a poolside favorite, offering a crisp, fruity escape with every sip.

Nutritional information

1 cocktail (225ml)
Calories
165
ABV
16 %
Alcohol
12 g
Carbs
18 g
Carbs from Sugar
16 g
Fat
0 g
Protein
0.5 g
Sodium
8 mg
Nutritional information is approximate and includes estimated 30% dilution from ice. Values may vary based on specific brands and preparation methods.

Tips & Notes

  • Always use freshly squeezed grapefruit juice rather than bottled for the brightest, most vibrant flavor and optimal tartness.

  • Choose unsweetened or lightly sweetened cranberry juice to maintain proper balance - overly sweet cranberry juice will overwhelm the drink's refreshing character.

  • Adjust the cranberry to grapefruit ratio to your taste preference: more cranberry for sweetness, more grapefruit for tartness, but maintain the overall liquid volume.

  • Chill all ingredients beforehand to minimize dilution and ensure the drink stays cold longer when served.

  • Stir gently rather than vigorously to combine ingredients without creating excessive foam or over-diluting the cocktail.

While bottled juice can be used, fresh grapefruit juice provides significantly better flavor, aroma, and tartness. If using bottled, choose a high-quality brand without added sugars and use it within a few days of opening.

A Bay Breeze substitutes pineapple juice for the grapefruit juice, creating a sweeter, more tropical flavor profile. The Sea Breeze is more tart and refreshing due to the grapefruit’s acidity.

To strengthen, increase vodka to 60ml and reduce juices proportionally. To weaken, reduce vodka to 30ml or add more juice. Always maintain the cranberry to grapefruit ratio for proper flavor balance.

Premium vodkas with clean, neutral profiles work best as they won’t compete with the fruit flavors. Brands like Grey Goose, Tito’s, or Ketel One are excellent choices that provide smoothness without harsh edges.

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Cocktail Difficulty Levels

We’ve added a difficulty rating to every cocktail so you’ll know what to expect before you start mixing. It’s not about being “hard” or “easy” in the strict sense—it’s about how much preparation, skill, and hunting for ingredients you’ll need.

  • Beginner – Quick builds or simple shakes with common ingredients you’ll likely already have at home. Perfect for beginners or a casual evening.

  • Intermediate – A bit more technique (stirring, shaking, muddling, layering) and a few extra ingredients. You might need to buy one or two bottles or garnishes you don’t already stock.

  • Advanced – Multiple steps, specialty techniques (infusions, syrups, foams), or rare ingredients. These drinks take more effort and planning, but reward you with something truly impressive.

The rating is based on things like the number of ingredients, how rare they are, and the skills needed to bring the cocktail together.

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Recipe notes

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Quick recipe

Ingredients

  • Vodka
    45 ml
  • Cranberry Juice
    90 ml
  • Fresh Grapefruit Juice
    40 ml
  • Orange Peel
    1 twist

Method

  1. Fill a highball glass generously with ice cubes to chill the drink and provide proper dilution.
  2. Using a jigger, measure and pour 45ml of premium vodka into the glass.
  3. Add 90ml of cranberry juice and 40ml of fresh grapefruit juice to the glass.
  4. Gently stir the mixture with a bar spoon to combine all ingredients while maintaining the drink's clarity and preventing excessive dilution.
  5. Express the oils from an orange zest twist over the drink's surface, then drop the twist into the glass as garnish.
  6. Serve immediately while cold, presenting the cocktail with the garnish visible for aromatic and visual appeal.