Tart cranberry and bitter grapefruit meet in the Sea Breeze, an IBA Contemporary Classic built with vodka, cranberry juice, and grapefruit juice over ice in a highball glass. The two juices play off one another to produce a refreshing, palate-cleansing drink slightly more layered than a plain juice-and-vodka highball, finished with a lime wedge. At around 7 percent ABV it is light and easy-drinking, assembled directly in the serving glass without shaking. It rose to prominence in the 1980s alongside kindred drinks such as the Bay Breeze and Cape Codder, with which it shares both format and a cranberry base.
Sea breeze
Ингредиенты
- Vodka 1 1/2 oz
- Cranberry Juice 4 oz
- Grapefruit Juice 1 oz
Инструкции
Build all ingredients in a highball glass filled with ice. Garnish with lime wedge.
The Sea Breeze is an IBA Contemporary Classic built with vodka, cranberry juice, and grapefruit juice, served over ice in a highball glass with a lime wedge. The combination of tart cranberry and bitter grapefruit creates a refreshing, palate-cleansing drink that is slightly more complex than many simple juice-and-vodka cocktails. It gained widespread popularity in the 1980s alongside the Bay Breeze and Cape Codder.
History & Origins
The Sea Breeze originated in the United States during the 1920s in a form quite different from today's recipe, originally made with gin and grenadine. The modern version using vodka, cranberry, and grapefruit juice emerged in the 1970s and became a signature of American bars and beach resorts during the 1980s, partly driven by Ocean Spray's cranberry juice marketing campaigns. The IBA classifies it as a Contemporary Classic.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: Tart cranberry and fresh grapefruit with a clean vodka backbone and a lime zest note from the garnish. Palate: Crisp and refreshing, with tart cranberry juice dominant and grapefruit adding a bitter citrus edge; vodka provides a clean alcoholic foundation without competing with the juices. Finish: Dry, tart, and refreshing with lingering grapefruit bitterness.
Pro Tip
Squeeze the lime wedge garnish into the drink just before sipping to add a bright citrus accent that elevates the grapefruit and cranberry notes.
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