Sea Breeze cocktail
The Sea Breeze is a popular cocktail and part of our collection of vodka and fruit juice drinks. It requires just three ingredients — vodka, cranberry, and grapefruit juice. This refreshingly fruity drink is usually consumed during summer months.
The first cocktail recipe called Sea Breeze appeared in the United States in the 1920s at the end of Prohibition era. Interestingly, it was a completely different drink that consisted of gin and grenadine syrup (because vodka was unpopular with Americans).
The name of the cocktail was given by a journalist who tasted the drink in a closed New York club. Due to the ban on alcohol, he could not describe the recipe openly, instead saying "a cocktail that makes you feel the wind at the seashore.".
Since then Sea Breeze has undergone few minor changes and is regarded as a modern classic cocktail.
- Total Time:
- Type: Cocktail
- Units: 2
Equipment
- Highball glass
Ingredients
- 100 ml cranberry juice (freshly squeezed)
- 50 ml vodka
- 50 ml grapefruit juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 slice lime (to garnish)
Instructions
- Mix the vodka, cranberry juice and grapefruit juice in a highball glass with ice and stir.
- Garnish with a slice of lime. Enjoy!
FAQ
Is it the same as a Bay Breeze?
No. A Bay Breeze uses pineapple juice instead of grapefruit juice.
How does the Sea Breeze compare to similar vodka cocktails?
The Sea Breeze shares its cranberry base with the Cosmopolitan, though it swaps lime and triple sec for grapefruit juice, making it less sweet and more tangy. It also feels lighter than the Moscow Mule, which is spicier thanks to ginger beer.
What glass should a Sea Breeze be served in?
Traditionally, the Sea Breeze is served tall in a highball glass over ice, with a lime wedge or grapefruit slice garnish. This tall, refreshing style is similar to other long vodka drinks like the Screwdriver.
Is the Sea Breeze sweet or sour?
It strikes a balance: the cranberry juice gives it a crisp, slightly tart backbone, while the grapefruit juice adds a bittersweet tang. This makes it less sweet than a Sex on the Beach but fruitier than a Vodka Martini.
When did the Sea Breeze become popular?
The Sea Breeze became especially popular in the 1970s and 1980s, when cranberry juice-based cocktails surged in the US. It’s still a go-to option for drinkers who enjoy fruity, refreshing vodka mixes.