The Madras cocktail is a classic. It’s a vodka cocktail that’s made with orange and cranberry juices. A true holiday flavor combination.
Cocktails with cranberry juice or orange juice and vodka drinks are quite popular, especially among women who tend to enjoy a sweeter drink.
Pin The Madras Cocktail to make later.
The History of the Madras Cocktail
The traditional madras is simply a Cape Cod cocktail with orange juice added to it. Some might call it a cranberry screwdriver or vodka Madras.
The orange juice gives the drink a more citrus flavor and cuts the tartness of just the cranberry juice. Usually garnished with a lime wheel or wedge, I chose to use fresh cranberries for a festive, more holiday look.
A Madras cocktail is the classic flavor combination of orange and cranberry making it refreshing for summer and festive for the holidays.How do you pronounce Madras?
The cocktail is named for the summery fabric, which in turn is named for the Indian city-state, however, they are pronounced differently. The pronunciation of the cocktail follows that for the fabric, rather than the city. So call the cocktail (and the fabric) MAD-dr’ss. And the city muh-DRUSS
Not only is the Madras a festive cocktail for the holidays, but it’s also a refreshing drink for summer entertaining too.
When I serve this at parties, I usually make up a pitcher and leave it next to a bucket of ice. Guests can fill their glass with ice and pour the Madras over it. That way the ice doesn’t water down the mixture.
As with any cocktail use your favorite ingredients. If you prefer orange juice with pulp, use one, fresh cranberry juice should be bright red. If your cranberry juice has started to brown in the bottle there’s a chance it’s past the expiration date.
If you love cranberry in recipes too, some of our favorites include this warm cranberry spread which would be a great appetizer pairing with this Madras, or this panko-crusted chicken with maple cranberry sauce.
Cranberry Drinks
More cranberry drinks to tantalize your taste buds.
Cranberry Whiskey Sour
Delight your guests with a holiday twist to a classic cocktail. The cranberry whiskey sour is perfect for holiday entertaining.
Cranberry Spritzer
A refreshing beverage that's kid-friendly.
Cranberry Key Lime Mimosas
Entertain your guests with cranberry key lime mimosas. Perfect for brunch.
Cranberry Lime Margarita
Perfect for summer, the holidays or Cinco de Mayo
Holiday Cranberry Spritzer
Holiday Cranberry Spritzer is a festive cocktail for the holidays.
Sparkling Cranberry Kiss
This Sparkling Cranberry Kiss has three of my favorite ingredients, cranberry juice, orange juice and ginger ale. It's a bit tart but the combination is quite refreshing.
Easy Homemade Cranberry Vanilla Liqueur
Enjoy as a cordial or use with mixers for a cocktail.
Friday Cranberry Recipes
- Cranberry Broccoli Slaw by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Christmas Cranberry Martini by Our Crafty Cocktails
- Cranberry Fluff Salad by Cheese Curd In Paradise
- Cranberry and Onion Pinwheels by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- Cranberry Pecan Pinwheels by Kate’s Recipe Box
- Orange Cranberry White Chocolate Biscotti by Sweet Beginnings
- Pecan Crusted Chicken Tenders w/ Cranberry Ketchup by Savory Moments
- Pumpkin- Paneer and Cranberry Rolls by Magical Ingredients
- The Madras Cocktail by Family Around the Table
- White Chocolate Cranberry Fudge by House of Nash Eats
The Madras Cocktail
End a long with a Madras cocktail.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces vodka
- 5 ounces cranberry juice
- 2 ounces orange juice
- Fresh cranberries for garnish
Instructions
- In a highball glass filled with ice add vodka, cranberry juice, and orange juice. Stir gently to mix.
- Garnish with fresh cranberries.
Amy (Savory Moments) says
I love this festive drink for the holidays and cranberry is one of my favorites this time of year! Looks delicious!