Picture this: a pink Sea Breeze cocktail in hand and the warm sun on your face. It’s like a mini vacation in a glass.
Every fruity sip will transport you to a paradise of your own making.
This easy Sea Breeze cocktail is the perfect balance of summery sweetness. Even in the middle of winter!
It only requires 3 simple ingredients: vodka, cranberry juice, and grapefruit juice. Plus, ice and garnishes.
It’s tart, sweet, and totally fabulous.
So, if you can’t get away for a beach vacation this year, try this sea breeze cocktail!
What Is a Sea Breeze Drink?
Think of the Sea Breeze cocktail like a spiked fruit punch. It’s very flavor-forward, with bright, fruity notes from cranberry and grapefruit juice.
And if you don’t like the taste of alcohol, fear not. The sea breeze is ideal for you. You can hardly taste the alcohol.
The fruit juices don’t entirely mask the flavor of vodka. But they are vibrant and flavorful, keeping this cocktail nice and light. (And dangerously drinkable.)
When sitting poolside, you want a tasty, refreshing cocktail. And the Sea Breeze is the perfect choice!
Ingredients
There’s no need to head to the liquor store for specialty liquors or mixers. A classic sea breeze uses vodka and juice- that’s it!
If you have juice in the fridge, you’re already halfway to this delicious summertime cocktail.
- Ice- The key to keeping this cocktail refreshing is plenty of ice. It helps keep everything nice and cold, which enhances the fruity flavors.
- Vodka- No need to reach for fancy vodkas. Opt for a brand that you don’t mind drinking straight up. Vodka brands like Absolut or Titos are tasty (and affordable!) choices.
- Cranberry Juice- Sweetened cranberry juice cocktail works much better than pure cranberry juice. It adds the perfect sweetness- it’s like built-in simple syrup!
- Grapefruit Juice- Bottled grapefruit juice is a quick and easy choice. But, if you are feeling fancy, squeeze a fresh grapefruit for the ultimate flavor.
- Lime Wedge and Maraschino Cherry (Optional)- Garnishing the glass is optional but worth it! They are pretty and add a bonus kick of fruity flavors to this cocktail.
How to Make a Sea Breeze Cocktail
The best part of the sea breeze cocktail is that it’s so easy to prepare. No cocktail shaker is required! Check out how easy this cocktail comes together.
1. Add ice. Fill a glass with ice to the top.
2. Pour in cocktail ingredients. Add cranberry juice, grapefruit juice, and vodka to the glass. Then, stir until well combined and cold.
3. Garnish. Add a lime wedge and/or maraschino cherry to the rim of the glass (optional). Enjoy!
Tips and Variations
Here are some quick tips and tricks to make your Sea Breeze cocktails the talk of the town (well, pool).
- Try fruity ice cubes! This takes some forethought and prep work, but they add more color and fun. Plus, they keep your drink from watering down too much. And they add even more flavor!
- Make a Winter Sea Breeze. Want to enjoy the Sea Breeze cocktail all year long? This winter sea breeze is just as easy. Instead of adding vodka, swap in gin instead.
- Add some ‘sea foam.’ If you want to add fresh sea foam on top, bust out those cocktail shakers! Blending the juice in a cocktail shaker (and shaking vigorously) creates the perfect foam. You can also add one egg white to the shaker. This makes the drink creamy and even more foamy.
- The Sea Breeze Mocktail. Looking for an alcohol-free alternative? It’s super easy! Swap out the vodka for ginger ale or club soda. Fun fact: they call the Sea Breeze mocktail the November Sea Breeze.
Want More? Try These Fun Cocktails!
Sea Breeze Cocktail Recipe (3 Ingredients!)
1
servings5
minutesSail away on this delicious Sea Breeze! This easy cocktail is fruity and not-to-sweet. But the best part? It only needs 3 ingredients, plus ice and garnish!
Ingredients
1 1/2 ounces vodka
3 ounces cranberry juice
1 1/2 ounces grapefruit juice
Lime wedge, for garnish
Maraschino cherry, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Fill a highball glass with ice. Add the vodka, cranberry juice, and grapefruit juice. Stir to combine.
- Garnish with a lime wedge.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Cranberry Juice: Opt for a cranberry juice blend like OceanSpray. Pure cranberry juice can make your drink intensely bitter. If you opt for pure cranberry juice, add simple syrup for sweetness.
- Vodka: For the Sea Breeze, expensive vodka isn’t necessary as the fruity flavors dominate and mask the vodka’s nuances.
